​Australia’s logistics sector is undergoing a transformation. By 2024, the ecommerce logistics market reached approximately AUD 10.7billion, with a projected 25.7% compound annual growth through to 2034.Its lastmile delivery segment alone was valued at AUD1.74billion in 2024, forecast to surge at 16% annually through to 2034, reaching nearly AUD7.7billion

This growth is reshaping how logistics employers hire, train, and retain staff, especially in high-pressure roles like fulfilment and last-mile delivery. The challenge? Turnover is rising, and competition for skilled workers is intensifying.

Why turnover in fulfilment and lastmile roles is biting employers hard

Employers are facing three major pain points:

Spikes in parcel volumes

An estimated 82% of Australian households shopped online in 2024, driving up demand for courier, picker/packer, and delivery roles 

Fulfillment centers are under pressure to scale quickly, often relying on temp staff to meet seasonal surges.

Shortage of skilled labour

There’s escalating demand for warehouse operators, drivers, and casual staff. In fact, 26% of new warehouse developments stalled in 2023 due to workforce constraints. Employers are struggling to find candidates with the right mix of physical capability, tech fluency, and reliability.

Gig economy churn

Delivery partners frequently shift between platforms or casual roles, resulting in unpredictable staffing levels and operational disruption. This churn is especially problematic during peak periods like mid-year sales or holiday seasons

The implications for employers

Higher recruitment costs and delays

Turnover in fulfillment and delivery roles delays hiring, increases training time, and raises overall operational costs. Constant rehiring cycles are draining resources and impacting productivity.

Inconsistent service quality

With high churn, maintaining reliable lastmile delivery standards becomes tricky—impacting customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Missed deliveries or late arrivals can quickly erode trust.

Competition for staffing intensifies

Major players like and are hiring at scale. During a recent midyear sales push, Amazon recruited 1,400 seasonal pickers, packers, and drivers across NSW, VIC, QLD, and WA. Smaller logistics firms must compete not just on pay, but on flexibility, culture, and career pathways.

How recruitment specialists can ease the burden

Proactive access to critical talent pools

A specialist recruitment partner like MTC Recruitment holds access to:

• Pre-screened warehouse and fulfillment candidates.

• Recruitment specialists to smooth seasonal spikes or last-minute gaps.

Faster hire and smoother onboarding

Partnering enables rapid deployment of staff. MTC Recruitment can shortlist candidates ready for immediate start, cutting down time-to-fill and minimising disruption.

Retention-first hiring

By advising on realistic job expectations, shift patterns, and market payratesgoo, we help employers reduce churn, stabilising fulfillment and lastmile functions.

Final thoughts

The explosive growth in Australian ecommerce continues to reshape logistics hiring. Employers in warehousing, fulfillment, and delivery face fierce competition for staff, high turnover, and rising costs. By leveraging a recruitment partner like MTC Recruitment, with deep logistics networks and industry insight, employers can streamline hiring, stabilise teams, and maintain operational efficiency—turning hiring challenges into strategic advantage.

Need help navigating logistics hiring in the ecommerce era?
Let MTC Recruitment help you build a resilient, high-performing workforce.