New research is set to improve understanding of the factors driving agricultural labour and skills shortages across five of Australia’s key food and fibre regions.
AgriFutures Australia, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), has launched a national initiative aimed at addressing one of the sector’s biggest challenges — building a stronger and more sustainable regional workforce.
The project, titled Strategic Analysis of Regional Workforce Pressures in Australian Agriculture, will investigate workforce trends and pressures in five agricultural regions, including Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.
Researchers will collect data through surveys and targeted stakeholder interviews before bringing government and industry together to discuss the findings.
The insights gathered will support improved workforce planning and policy development, helping both government and industry better understand the challenges facing regional agriculture.
The Toowoomba and Darling Downs has been selected due to its complex and highly competitive workforce environment, shaped by the scale and diversity of its agricultural industries.
As one of Australia’s most productive food and fibre regions, the area supports grains, dairy, eggs, horticulture and large feedlot operations.
It also competes strongly for workers with rapidly expanding sectors including health, manufacturing, construction and a growing AgTech sector.
Several large, vertically-integrated agribusinesses operate across the region, placing workforce pressure on entire supply chains and making it an ideal case study for analysing the factors that influence worker attraction, retention and long-term workforce sustainability.
AgriFutures Australia general manager, Rural Futures, Simon Vincent, said the project would be guided by direct input from regional communities.
“Every region has its own story, its own strengths and challenges,” Mr Vincent said.
“The Toowoomba and Darling Downs region is a major driver of Australia’s food and fibre production and its workforce challenges are both unique and highly instructive for national planning.
“Hearing directly from local employers, workers and community leaders will help us understand what’s working, where the pressure points are and what might better support the region’s diverse agricultural sectors.”
Mr Vincent said agriculture remained one of Australia’s most innovative industries, contributing billions of dollars to the national economy and offering diverse career opportunities.
However, labour and skills shortages, along with uneven access to training and workers in some sectors, continue to place pressure on regional production systems.
“We want to make sure every part of the workforce ecosystem, from training providers to employers and councils is part of the study,” he said.
Community members, workers, employers and organisations across the Toowoomba and Darling Downs are encouraged to participate in upcoming surveys and consultation sessions.
Their feedback will help inform strategies to strengthen and future-proof the agricultural workforce.
Surveys will remain open for six weeks, with a final report expected to be delivered in mid-2026.
