Aussies warned to brace for higher prices as trucking industry buckles under fuel crisis pressure: 'We're at our wits end'

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 23:18, 28 April 2026 | Updated: 23:18, 28 April 2026 Australia's truck drivers have warned the fuel crisis has pushed the industry to the brink of collapse - and say shoppers have not yet felt the full impact at the supermarket checkout, with higher prices on the way as shipping costs surge.  A recent Fuel Crisis Survey from the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) of 182 truck drivers found an eye-watering 70 per cent of operators feared they wouldn't last the next six months if the war in Iran continues. The conflict has resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, which is responsible for the transportation of 20 per cent of the world's oil supply. Skyrocketing fuel prices are having a significant impact on the mental health of truck drivers and operators across Australia, much like farmers during a drought.  NatRoad CEO Warren Clark told the Daily Mail he has two employees working full-time on the phones to provide support to Aussies impacted by the fuel crisis.  He said a lot of trucking operators were 'really struggling'. 'Every industry has mental health issues, but the mental health issues that we're hearing and seeing is that people are at their wits' end,' Mr Clark said. 'We had an interesting call on Tuesday (April 21) where a young woman rang up and said her fuel bill had doubled. Her mental health is stretched to the limit and it's spreading through the whole industry.' NatRoad CEO Warren Clark (pictured) said truck operators were 'really struggling' The war in Iran has severely affected the trucking industry and many are struggling with mental health issues amid uncertain futures (pictured, a road train on a Australian highway) The war in the Middle East is crippling the trucking industry (pictured, an Israeli strike) Queensland operator Jason Tuttle said his monthly fuel bill jumped from $40,000 to $90,000, forcing him to cut down from four trucks to three. Mr Tuttle, who carts general freight from Brisbane to the northern parts of the state, told the Daily Mail he and other operators don't feel supported by the government. 'It does feel like the government hates the people,' Mr Tuttle said. 'The industry is on its knees, and they could do a lot more for us - certainly, we won't last six months.  'I don't think anyone will. It plays with your mental health, that's for sure.' Mr Tuttle said frustrations have been antagonised by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), who he claims is kicking operators while they're down. 'They've got the NHVR out here pulling us up over every little thing,' he said. 'I had a mate who was 10mm over length from the front of the truck to the end of the trailer, and they fined him $1,000. How ridiculous. 'They're just picking on everybody at the moment.' Queensland trucking operator Jason Tuttle (pictured) said the industry was on its knees Trucking companies can't afford to keep their trucks on the roads due to soaring fuel costs Meanwhile, Mr Clark warned the coming months would prove a 'dramatic situation' when it came to cash flow. He said one in four operators have been forced to lay off staff, with small businesses expected to feel the pressure for at least six months.  The trucking CEO also made a grim prediction about the prices of goods.  'We're absolutely kidding ourselves if we think this is not going to impact the cost of living,' he warned. 'There is absolutely no way that transport can absorb these costs, and the bigger end of town can't either, so it will be passed on to the consumer.  'Whether the government likes it or not, they'll have a cost of living crisis that's going to get worse. We'll gradually start to see these things, such as groceries, increase.  'The prices will go up, no doubt.' Mr Tuttle echoed his predictions, warning millions of households will be affected. 'I don't think we've seen the full impact of the cost of living yet, because sooner or later the big boys like Woolworths and Coles will pass on their costs,' he said. The war in the Middle East is having a dramatic effect on fuel prices which are impacting the trucking industry across Australia (pictured, a petrol station in Canberra) What should the government do to truly support struggling truckies and stop prices from soaring? What's your view?'I never dreamed fuel would be $3 a litre, never. We have to tighten our belts.' Mr Tuttle and Mr Clark applauded the government's decision to halve the fuel excise for three months from April 1, which cut prices by 26.3 cents per litre. But Mr Clark questioned what will happen when prices go back up in June.  'The government has been trying to help but they've only done it for a few months. We don't want them to reinstate things while this war goes on,' he said. 'Costs went up in Covid and they never seemed to go down and they're going up in this crisis. Everything is going to get more expensive.' No comments have so far been submitted. 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