Local and global pressures impacting grains workforce

WORDS COSTA THEODORE - Policy Officer

Grower responses to the GrainGrowers' Annual Policy Survey consistently highlight 'Farm Labour' as a key concern. What's exacerbating this issue in recent years? Contributing factors range from global (migration changes and inefficiencies) to localised (infrastructure, farm safety and mental health).

GrainGrowers has made detailed requests for investment across six areas impacting growers, including People & Workforce. GrainGrowers' Pre-Budget recommendations offer solutions to these pressing workforce issues to support the ongoing profitability, sustainability and resilience of Australian growers.

Photo by Jo Ashworth

Breakdown of People & Workforce Challenges

1. Shift in regional demographics and lasting impact of COVID-19

While migration patterns have shifted post-pandemic, not all new rural residents are seeking employment in the community, exacerbating worker shortages in some regions. COVID-19 disrupted existing systems which led to uncertainty and isolation for potential farm workers and contractors. To some extent this disruption has continued and while we are beginning to see some changes but the "new normal" remains unclear.

While we have seen a sustained upward trend of migration from cities to regions (due to economic opportunities, lifestyle preferences, and government policies promoting regional living), this did not have sustained impact on domestic farm workers. In some cases, these new residents in rural and regional communities were not looking for work within the community, or did not have skills that matched the skills demand in the region they migrated to, leading to more acute worker shortages and changing community needs.

2. Infrastructure does not meet population requirements

Despite increased migration to regional areas, infrastructure remains inadequate to support population growth. Access to critical amenities such as telecommunications, water and housing, poses a significant challenges for community development and workforce retention.

GrainGrowers' recent CareConnect project also identified suitable infrastructure for early childhood education and care as being a major roadblock for rural and remote communities and growers operating or employing workers with young families.

3. Migration system inefficiencies

To ensure worker demand is met during peak season, Australian agriculture relies on a sustainable stream of seasonal workers, including workers coming from overseas. In April 2023, a Review of Australia's Migration System highlighted unsuitable, costly and complicated migration settings.

The Federal Government has subsequently developed a Migration Strategy outlining key actions and policy commitments to the development of a more robust migration system to meet the needs of Australian businesses.

4. Skills shortage felt by growers across Australia

A widespread lack of skilled workers persists across regional Australia. With technological advancements and evolving practices, there is a growing need for workers skilled in areas such as digital agriculture and AgTech maintenance. Government and industry are focusing work to ensure the availability of necessary skills to continue to improve future productivity.

Photo by Tegan Buckley

GrainGrowers' Pre-Budget Advocacy Efforts

In its 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission, GrainGrowers has outlined key areas for investment to address workforce-related pressures.

More data on grains workforce is needed

While initiatives like GrainGrowers' Annual Policy Survey can help to provide basic information on the issues growers are facing, it is necessary for government to methodically collect and analyse data to ensure policies reflect what happens on the ground.

Budget recommendation: 1 million per annum for ABARES, specifically for the employment of additional staff and resources to collect workforce data focussed on the grains industry, and inform a better understanding of specific grains industry workforce needs.

Growers need skilled workers

Skilled workers are vital to the sustainability and future productivity of our sector and ensuring we have pathways for our workforce to be re-skilled and upskilled to respond to changing skills demands is integral.

Budget recommendation: $50 million over 3 years to enable a national roll-out of the Ag Skilled initiative. The Ag Skilled program has been a successful program by the NSW Government to upskill primary production industries.

Regional housing needs to be addressed

As raised in GrainGrowers' Regional Housing Policy, insufficient regional housing is impacting the ability of regional Australia to attract and retain key workers.

Budget recommendation: $500 million funding to local councils for infrastructure projects to expedite the release of land and support an increase in key worker housing in regional Australia.

Mental health is a top concern in regional communities

Tragically, the rate of suicides among Australian farmers is double the national average. Poor mental health remains a significant burden on growers, their families and communities in regional Australia.

Budget recommendation: $17 million over 5 years for a bold, national, agricultural industry-based intervention to grow farmers' wellbeing and prevent suicides across the sector.

Photo by Philip Down