New data from the Australian Logistics Council suggests the acute warehouse labour shortage that plagued the industry since 2021 is beginning to ease, with vacancy rates declining in early 2025.

Key Findings

The quarterly employment survey revealed:

Overall vacancy rate: Down to 8.2% from 12.4% a year ago
Entry-level positions: Filling within 2 weeks on average
Skilled roles: Still averaging 6+ weeks to fill
Management positions: Remain critically short

Contributing Factors

Several trends are driving the improvement:

Immigration policy changes - Increased skilled worker visas for logistics
Wage adjustments - Industry wages up 8.5% year-over-year
Automation adoption - Reducing headcount requirements
Improved conditions - Focus on workplace safety and amenities

Ongoing Challenges

Despite improvements, operators report continued difficulty finding:

Forklift operators with current licences
WMS-experienced supervisors
Cold chain and dangerous goods specialists
Multi-skilled team leaders

Outlook

Industry analysts expect vacancy rates to normalise by late 2025, though competition for experienced talent will likely remain intense.