Truck drivers across Australia will soon be better equipped to respond to emergencies on the road, thanks to the expansion of a national online first aid training program funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The $4.4 million investment—supported by the Australian Government—will allow free access to St John Ambulance’s ‘Truckie First Aid’ course in multiple languages, starting with Punjabi and Mandarin.
The move marks a first for the industry, providing free, bite-sized, mobile-friendly first aid lessons tailored to one of Australia’s most linguistically diverse workforces. The course, which takes around 30 to 40 minutes to complete, is designed specifically for heavy vehicle drivers and incorporates practical, easy-to-follow steps using the DRSABCD action plan.
With more than 1,500 drivers already completing the training, the latest funding means thousands more will be able to take part—many for the first time in a language they’re comfortable with. Additional translations are expected to be rolled out before the end of the year.
Warren Clark, CEO of the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad), said making the course multilingual would ensure broader participation and better preparedness on the roads.
“By upskilling truckies across the country, we are making sure drivers are more prepared than ever before to save lives on and off the road,” he said. “For many of us, saving a life could be the most important thing we’ll ever do. So, if the situation arises, we want drivers to be prepared.”
The initiative responds to a sector where over two-thirds of drivers are expected to be first responders at some point in their careers. According to data from the NT Road Transport Association, 67.3% of truck drivers will encounter such scenarios. And with 59% of injury-related deaths shown to be preventable through timely first aid, early intervention can make all the difference.
Australia’s road safety statistics remain concerning. In the 12 months to February 2025, 1,292 people lost their lives on Australian roads—a 1.6% rise on the previous year. In 2021 alone, nearly 40,000 Australians were hospitalised due to road accidents, costing the economy more than $30 billion annually.
For Adrian Watts, Chief Operating Officer at St John Ambulance Australia, making the course accessible to non-English speakers is not just practical—it’s urgent.
“This will make it easier for drivers with English as their second language to complete the training and be confident in what they learn, while reducing barriers to taking the course in the first place,” he said. “Empowering truckies with the knowledge and skills to respond to a first aid emergency just makes sense.”
Steve Smith, Acting Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at NHVR, said the initiative is one of 16 industry-led projects being backed under the current round of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
“We’re proud to provide this crucial funding that will allow the online first aid training to be translated into multiple languages,” he said. “It’s about equipping those on the frontlines with the tools they need.”
The program is now live and can be accessed for free via truckiefirstaid.org.au, even from a mobile phone at a rest stop.
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