Sunday 19 July 2026

2026 National Farm Safety Week Launch and the Safer Farms Report

One life lost on Australian farms every six days.

The example we set today might just save a life tomorrow.

This National Farm Safety Week, Farmsafe Australia has launched the 2026 Safer Farms Report, proudly supported by WFI Insurance, alongside a national campaign encouraging every person in agriculture to recognise the influence they have on the people around them.

The Safer Farms Report has become Farmsafe Australia’s flagship annual publication, bringing together the latest national injury and fatality data, emerging issues, information on practical resources and the voices of farmers leading change across Australian agriculture. More than a snapshot of statistics, it provides insight into the opportunities we have to strengthen safety culture and create safer, healthier farming communities.

New figures released in the report reveal 53 lives were lost and a further 182 people were seriously injured on Australian farms in 2025, bringing the nation’s farm death toll to 427 lives since 2019, more than one person every week for seven consecutive years.

The figures are a reminder that while Australian farmers produce the food and fibre that keeps the nation running, too many families continue to be affected by preventable injuries and fatalities on farm. They also reinforce the importance of continuing to build safer farms, stronger safety cultures and better outcomes for the people behind Australian agriculture.

WFI Insurance Executive General Manager, Damien Gallagher said the report reflects the value of industry working together to create meaningful and lasting change.

“For many years, WFI has proudly supported the Safer Farms Report because meaningful change starts with understanding the risks, challenges, and opportunities facing Australian agriculture. This report combines evidence, practical ideas and the voices of farmers themselves to help strengthen safety across our industry.”

Mr Gallagher said improving farm safety was a shared responsibility.

“Every conversation about safety has the potential to prevent an injury, strengthen a business and protect a farming family. We’re proud to support initiatives that encourage practical leadership and help create safer outcomes across Australian agriculture.”

This year’s National Farm Safety Week campaign, ‘Set the Standard: Show ‘em how it’s done’, is built around a simple idea: the standards we demonstrate every day influence the standards others adopt tomorrow.

Farmsafe Australia Chair Felicity Richards said while the report highlights the challenges facing Australian agriculture, it also provides reason for optimism.

“Most incidents don’t happen because people don’t care about safety. They happen during routine jobs, busy periods and moments of pressure when shortcuts begin to creep in.”

“Whether we realise it or not, those moments matter because they become the standards we set and the standards others follow.”

“Every day on Australian farms, people are watching. They watch how we approach a task, how we respond under pressure, what we walk past, what we accept and what we choose to challenge.”

With tractors, side-by-sides and quad bikes continuing to be the leading causes of fatalities on Australian farms, Ms Richards said the industry should focus on the small, everyday behaviours that help build a stronger safety culture.

“It’s simple things like wearing a helmet, putting on a seatbelt, reducing speed and using rollover protection that can make a real difference.”

Throughout National Farm Safety Week, six Safer Farmers Ambassadors from across Australia will share their own experiences and practical insights into creating stronger safety cultures.

Poultry Operations Manager Brad Vinecombe is encouraging farmers to pause and reassess before routine and pressure influence their judgement. Queensland bull handler Sophie Halliday believes the small habits people demonstrate every day have the greatest influence on those around them. Tasmanian sheep producer Josie Chester is reminding farming families that children are always watching and so it’s our job to set them up for success.

Cotton grower Gavin Dal Broi is calling on farmers to rethink the culture of pushing through fatigue and time pressure, and avoid treating it as a badge of honour. New South Wales cattle producer Katie Saul is encouraging farmers to recognise that safer cultures aren’t built with a tick and flick mentality. And finally, South Australian Robbie Davis believes stronger safety cultures begin with stronger leadership throughout the entire agricultural sector. From boardrooms to conference stages, safety needs to be on the agenda.

Ms Richards said together, the ambassadors demonstrate that safer farms are built through thousands of everyday decisions.

“Culture isn’t built through posters or paperwork alone. It’s built through what people see; a helmet worn, a seatbelt buckled, a decision to stop and reassess, a conversation about fatigue or someone having the confidence to speak up.”

“This National Farm Safety Week, we’re asking every person in agriculture to think about the example they’re setting. Because the way we work today shapes the culture we’ll leave for tomorrow.”

‘Set the Standard: Show ‘em how it’s done’, Farmsafe Australia’s National Farm Safety Week campaign, runs from 19–25 July 2026. For more information and resources, visit Farmsafe Australia.

The 2026 Safer Farms Report is available at: Safer Farms Report 2026.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT

Nicole Streete

Email: nicole.streete@havasred.com Mobile: 0447 146 001

About Farmsafe Australia

Farmsafe Australia is the peak industry body, bringing together farmers, industry experts, and agricultural stakeholders to ensure that every farm has access to safety information and education to create a safer place to live and work. With deep roots in the agricultural community, we share trusted resources and expert insights, ensuring every farm has access to support to help them protect what matters most.

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Disclaimer: These suggestions are intended as a guide only and are designed to provide information - it is not legal advice and does not take the place of proper individualised on-farm workplace inductions, work, health and safety training, or any other tailored steps which may be necessary to protect health and safety at specific worksites.