National Farm Safety Education Fund: Improving Farm Safety Practices
The Australian Government has committed $1.6 million to improve farm safety. 9 successful applicants will receive funding under the National Farm Safety Education Fund: Improving Farm Safety Practices grant program.
1 in 5 workplace fatalities happen on farms. Improved safety benefits farmers, farm workers, families and their communities.
The program will improve farm safety practices and behaviours by supporting awareness and training projects. It also funds projects that develop educational tools to reduce farm accidents.
Aim
The program will enhance the farming industry through better communication and improved adoption of safe practices. This will make farms a safer place to live and work.
Outcomes
For farmers and those that live and work on Australian farms and in related industries:
- increased positive attitude shift towards farm safety practices
- increased uptake of farm safety practices.
Projects
Projects will focus on education and capacity building in 2 priority areas:
- the next generation of farmers
- industry endorsed training and continued learning.
Successful grants
The Australian Government is providing grants to fund these projects.
| Organisation | Title | Project Description | Grant Amount (excluding GST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Queensland University | Next Generation Farm Safety | This is an integrated program to improve farm safety for the next generation of farmers. It focuses on building the capacity of primary and secondary school students. This school-to-farm approach enables students, teachers and parents to get involved. Together, families will develop a shared understanding and positive attitude towards farm safety, leading to increased uptake of safe practices. | $310,942 |
| Cotton Australia Limited | Changing Culture and Improving Farm Safety for Queensland Cotton Growers | The project supports cotton farming businesses in Queensland, to learn how to use a practical and compliant, work health and safety system. The project includes face-to-face workshops, online delivery, farm visits and follow up coaching, and aims to engage the entire business. With improved systems and recordkeeping, businesses are expected to reduce injury and fatality on farm. | $156,510 |
| Rural Edge Australia | National Online Farm Safety Training | This project will create an online national program using existing farm safety training. It aims to educate and support farmers towards improved safety outcomes. Participants will be supported to create farm safety plans for their individual businesses, using peer-to-peer learning, easy tools and regular check-ins. | $261,048 |
| University of New South Wales | Co-designing game-based farm safety education for adolescents | This project will develop a national web and app-based farm injury prevention program. This app targets secondary school-aged adolescents. Interactive game-based learning will educate on injury risk reductions strategies. The program will be part of the national curriculum to be delivered in school with resources for parents and teachers. | $172,500 |
| AgForce Queensland Farmers Limited | Be safer today to see tomorrow | This project will deliver a series of farm safety workshops to producers. Each day will include safety training on a ‘whole systems safety approach’. Participants will use a safety toolkit to complete risk assessments and safety planning. Presentations will focus on mental health, financial stressors and farm safety. | $99,000 |
| NT Cattlemen’s Association Incorporated | NTCA Safer Stations Initiative | This project provides activities and educational resources to increase farm safety. It is for young children and station communities living on remote pastoral properties. The program is hands-on and will identify, assess and manage safety hazards and risks. It inspires young children to be ‘Station Safety Champions’. This encourages a cultural and behavioural shift towards farm safety practices. | $150,000 |
| Primary Producers SA Incorporated | SA Food and Fibre Education Hub Farm Safety Module | The project will design a farm safety module to improve understanding and practices. This will include classroom educational materials about best practice safety on farm. There will be farm excursions for primary school children. Teachers will also attend farm professional development days. | $120,000 |
| Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia Limited | Future Farm Safety for Life | This project will develop teaching resources for high school students. Classes will learn the importance of modernising farming environments to improve farm safety. Resources will be activity-based and encourage problem solving. Students will find STEM based solutions using virtual reality, animation and online tools. | $240,000 |
| Grain Growers Limited | The Safe Use Machinery Portal and Masterclass Series | This project will develop and deliver a pilot program about safe machinery use and updating safety content. Practical learning will be available through an online portal. It will be accessible with deaf, blind and multi-language options. There will also be 'in field' QR Codes that link to the online portal. | $90,000 |
Find out more about the grant program at Community Grants Hub.