East Gippsland dairy farmers are set to see changes in how industry levy funds are invested, following the release of Dairy Australia’s 2021–2025 Independent Performance Review.
Dairy Australia has pledged to act on all findings and recommendations from the review, committing to a sharper focus on practical, on-farm outcomes and clearer communication
with farmers.
Conducted every five years and commissioned by the organisation, the independent review provides feedback from dairy farmers and industry stakeholders on performance and priorities, with the aim of driving continuous improvement.
Chief executive officer Dr Matt Shaffer said the review offered an important check on how the body was meeting expectations.
“The review is clear about where Dairy Australia is performing well and where we need to improve,” he said.
“We welcome its findings, and we’re committed to making sure farmers can clearly see how their levy is being invested and how it contributes to improved profitability and productivity on farm.”
The review confirmed strong performance in governance, compliance, trade and market access, as well as leadership through the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework.
However, it also identified areas for improvement, including clearer definition of Dairy Australia’s role, stronger engagement with farmers and better visibility of measurable on-farm outcomes.
For dairy producers across East Gippsland, the changes are expected to mean more consistent engagement at a regional level and improved access to information through targeted communication channels and user-friendly digital tools.
Dairy Australia has committed to aligning its work more closely with partners in Regional Development Programs to ensure investments reflect local priorities.
The findings reinforce feedback gathered during consultation on the organisation’s newly released Strategic Plan 2030, which sets out priorities for the next five years.
Dr Shaffer said the plan provided a clearer line of sight between investment decisions and tangible benefits for farmers.
“It sets a clear direction for Dairy Australia’s work over the next five years, with a focus on improving farm profitability through productivity, innovation and sustainability,” he said.
“That includes clearer explanations of how research, trade, policy and sustainability translate into practical benefits on farm.”
The review comes during a period of leadership transition for the organisation, with a new chair and chief executive appointed in the past 18 months, along with changes to the executive leadership team.
Dr Shaffer said both the review and the Strategic Plan would guide efforts to deliver measurable value to farmers.
“Together, this review and our Strategic Plan provide us with a clear framework for delivering practical outcomes that support dairy farmers now and into the future,” he said.
The full Independent Performance Review 2021–2025 and management response are available on the Dairy Australia website.
