Building a safe future for farms

• Nine projects to Improve Farm Safety Practices have been approved.
• Government has committed $1.6 million to the projects.
• Part of the National Farm Safety Education Fund.

Nine projects worth $1.6 million to Improve Farm Safety Practices have been announced as part of the National Farm Safety Education Fund.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the

projects would educate the next generation of farmers and industries about the importance of on-farm safety.

“Farm safety is vital to achieving industry’s goal of a $100 billion agriculture sector by 2030,” Minister Littleproud said.

“It’s an ugly reality that one in five workplace fatalities happen on farms, despite agricultural workers making up just over three per cent of the Australian workforce.

The nine projects will be delivered by Central Queensland University, Cotton Australia, Rural Edge Australia, University of New South Wales, Agforce Queensland, NT Cattlemen’s Association, Primary Producers SA, Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia and Grain Growers.

“These projects will instil farm-safe values into the next generation of farmers, while talking to farmers about how safety can be used on their properties.

“They will provide a range of training and education activities for current and future farmers, and their families, allowing them to work and live safely.

“Farm safety doesn’t need to be complicated, expensive or inconvenient. It’s about making choices. A few small changes to how things are done around the farm can make a big difference.

“We need to do what we can to make farms safer so our farmers can get home to their families at the end of the day."

Fast Facts:

• The National Farm Safety Education Fund was a 2019 election commitment of $3.5 million (excluding GST) to support activities that improve farm safety outcomes.
• $1.9 million was previously granted to Farmsafe Australia to develop the National Farm Safety Education Fund Strategy, and to have oversight of farm safety issues at a national level until 30 June 2023.
• The National Farm Safety Education Fund: Improving Farm Safety Practices grant program targets two key priorities: the next generation of farmers, and industry-endorsed training and continued learning.
• A total of $1.6 million has been approved for the following successful grant recipients: Central Queensland University, Cotton Australia Limited, Rural Edge Australia, University of New South Wales, Agforce Queensland Farmers Limited, NT Cattlemen’s Association Inc., Primary Producers SA Incorporated, Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia Limited, Grain Growers Limited