Victorian farmers are set to receive enhanced support to make their workplaces safer, with the Allan Labor Government announcing a $2.6 million funding boost to the Making Our Farms Safer project.
Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Ben Carroll, said the funding agreement with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) would expand the project’s dedicated safety advisory service, providing on-farm, in-person support to help farmers identify and manage key risks.
“A practical investment in farm safety is an investment in the people who keep Victoria running,” Mr Carroll said. “This project supports farmers to create safer work environments without the red tape. It’s practical, personalised and it’s been shown to work.”
The project also offers a range of tools and resources to help farmers adopt better health and safety practices. Agriculture may employ only two per cent of Victoria’s workforce, but it is one of the State’s highest-risk industries, with 33 work-related deaths and 2,458 accepted claims for serious injuries since 2021.
This next phase of the initiative will focus on high-risk areas including cattle handling, machinery such as tractors and attachments, quad bikes and side-by-sides – which together account for more than a quarter of all farm injuries.
As part of the program, the VFF will visit hundreds of farms, host safety presentations and events, and provide practical guidance from industry experts and peers who understand the realities
of farm life.
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said creating a culture of safety requires real conversations and connections. “Farmers are the backbone of Victoria, powering our economy and supporting regional communities. This project ensures we are meaningfully engaging with farmers to understand their safety needs and work towards change together,” he said.
VFF Chief Executive Officer Charlie Thomas said the project had been supporting farmers since 2020 and encouraged all farmers to take advantage of the free on-farm visits and resources. “Nothing beats in-person, tailored safety advice to your farm,” he said.
The funding partnership is part of WorkSafe’s broader strategy
to reduce injuries and fatalities in agriculture, including the successful It’s never you until it is campaign, which shares safety success stories and challenges unsafe practices.
