How Australia is Shifting the Narrative Around Farm Safety
As Farm Safety Week kicks off here, our friends at Farmsafe Australia are also running their own Farm Safety Week campaign. Stevi Howdle, Executive Officer, FarmSafe Australia shares her views on the challenges they face farming in the ‘land down under’…
STEVI HOWDLE, Executive Officer Farmsafe Australia
“Australia’s agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy and culture, but, like the UK & Ireland, it remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in. On average, more than one farmer, farm worker, or farm visitor dies every week in Australia. Thousands more are injured, often seriously.
While awareness is growing, our safety record is still a cause for national concern. After a significant decrease in fatalities on farm in 2023 (32 deaths), 2024 saw a tragic rebound to the highest numbers in over 20 years of 72 lives lost on farm.
One of the challenges in improving safety on farms is the deeply ingrained attitude of “she’ll be right, mate.” Many farmers operate with a strong sense of resilience, independence, and responsibility; admirable traits that, at times, can lead to downplaying risk or pushing through when rest or planning is what’s really needed. That’s where cultural change becomes just as important as compliance. Telling farmers what not to do rarely works; showing them how others just like them made a better choice does.
This is also where safety and mental wellbeing intersect. The pressure on farmers in Australia is enormous; unpredictable weather, fluctuating markets, isolation, and lack of services can all weigh heavily. These pressures can lead to decision fatigue and burnout, which are strongly correlated with increased risk-taking or life-altering mistakes on the job. It’s not uncommon to see injuries occur when someone is rushing, overtired, or emotionally stretched. Mental health isn’t just a health issue, it’s a safety issue too.
Age is another key factor. Last year in Great Britain, nearly 40% of all agricultural worker fatalities were among those aged 65 and older, a trend we also see in Australia. Older farmers often carry decades of experience, but they may also have slower reflexes, reduced mobility, and less tolerance for fatigue. At the same time, many are working longer due to succession delays, workforce shortages, or simply love for the job. Age alone isn’t the risk, it’s the assumption that experience protects you from harm. It doesn’t.
Although there have been a few changes to legislation in particular states, including the introduction of industrial manslaughter legislation, there is an increasing focus on improving safety outcomes through education and industry partnerships. Enforcement still matters but so does building a system that supports safer decisions before something goes wrong.
That’s the role of Farmsafe Australia. As a national not-for-profit, we work all year round to share evidence-based safety information, lead national campaigns, and ensure farm safety remains at the forefront of industry and government decision-making. From our work with AgHealth Australia and the Australian Agricultural Safety Data Network (ASDN) to our mental health messaging, child safety resources and summer safety campaigns, our focus is always on practical, achievable improvements.
Have we seen change? Yes. But it is still fragile and we have a lot more work to embed safer cultures here. But safety is on the agenda more than ever before.
We’re seeing farmers share stories, talk about their struggles, ask better questions, and implement small changes that save lives. There’s a long way to go, but we’re not starting from scratch, we’re building momentum.
And that’s the most powerful shift of all.
To learn more visit www.farmsafe.org.au
