The bus and coach sector is a vital part of Australia’s transport network, providing essential passenger services that connect people to employment, education, healthcare and social opportunities. Beyond supporting community mobility, the sector also contributes to environmental sustainability by delivering efficient, lower-emission transport options.
However, the industry is facing significant workforce challenges, particularly in driver recruitment and retention, which are affecting operators’ ability to maintain reliable services. Workforce research has identified a need for clearer career pathways, nationally recognised training and targeted workforce development initiatives to attract and retain workers while building long-term industry capability.
At the same time, the sector is responding to evolving workforce, operational and regulatory requirements. Workers increasingly need a broader skill set that includes customer service, digital literacy, passenger accessibility, conflict resolution, health and wellbeing awareness, and the ability to manage challenging passenger interactions. Emerging industry changes, including proposed reforms to the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 and the transition to battery electric buses and coaches, are also creating new capability requirements that need to be reflected in training products.
This project has been developed to address these challenges by ensuring training products align with contemporary industry needs and support the development of a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce. It will strengthen workforce capability and career development opportunities through the review and development of nationally recognised training products tailored to the specific needs of bus and coach operations. This includes training that supports customer service excellence, digital skills, passenger accessibility, conflict management, health and wellbeing, and the safe operation of emerging technologies such as battery electric vehicles. The project will also review training products related to the transport of passengers with disability to ensure it reflects current industry practices and regulatory requirements. In addition, it will explore training solutions for scheduling and fleet allocation roles, helping to address capability needs across a broader range of occupations within the sector. To support successful implementation, the project will provide pathway information and practical guidance for employers, training providers and learners, encouraging adoption of the revised training products and strengthening workforce development across the industry.
