Farmsafe highlights the importance of taking decisive action to enhance farm safety

Recent statistics published by AgriFutures Australia and compiled by AgHealth Australia indicate a troubling and significant increase in fatalities and severe injuries occurring on farms, with 72 deaths and 133 serious injuries reported in 2024.

Farmsafe Australia, the leading national organisation for farm safety, is calling for swift intervention, stating that it is imperative to take a stand and ensure that farm safety is regarded as a top priority that cannot be compromised.

“This is not just a wake-up call - it’s an emergency,” said Felicity Richards, Chair of Farmsafe Australia. “We cannot continue to accept farm fatalities and serious injuries as just part of life on the land. The data is clear: we need to change the culture around safety, and we need to do it now.”

The figures for 2024 have surpassed those of 2023 by more than double, with fatalities attributed to side-by-sides totaling 14, quad bikes at 10, and tractors at 8, all of which remain the primary contributors to fatalities.

In Queensland, there was a significant increase in serious injuries, with cases rising from 11 to 61.Farmsafe says these figures are more than mere statistics; they reflect the lives of individuals—farmers, farm workers, and their families - who have been profoundly affected.

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