One Australian farmer commits suicide every 10 days, study reveals

One Australian farmer commits suicide every 10 days, study reveals, according to findings from Australia's first comprehensive research into suicide rates among agriculture workers. The study, based on ten years of data, found that suicide rates among farmers sit 60% higher than non-farmers, highlighting an urgent need for targeted support across the agriculture sector.

Key Findings from the Study

National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) policy team member Luke Sartor said 370 farmer suicides were reported between 2008-2019. This decade-long dataset gives researchers a clearer picture of how deeply this issue affects agriculture communities nationwide.

Relationship breakdown, underlying depression and easy access to guns were listed as key risk factors contributing to these tragic outcomes.

Access to Firearms: An Important Factor

"We know guns are a part of everyday life on a farm," Sartor said. "But easy access to such a quick and lethal method probably accounts for the high rates of suicide in the bush to some degree."

"In fact, after the crackdown on automatic weapons following the Port Arthur mass shootings, we saw farmer suicide rates fall quite significantly. So access to firearms remains an important factor," he added.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Farmers with certain demographic characteristics also had higher suicide rates, including:

• Males between the ages of 20 and 50
• Those who have separated from their spouse
• Middle-aged farmers working in isolated rural regions

"During the recent drought in NSW, we had seen the rates of suicide increase quite a bit as well," Sartor noted, pointing to the compounding pressures faced by rural health networks during periods of prolonged hardship.

Why Support Matters for Farming Communities

Financial strain, isolation and unpredictable seasonal conditions place immense pressure on those working in agriculture. Strengthening support networks, encouraging open conversations, and improving access to counselling services can help reduce risks within this vulnerable workforce.

Employers and industry bodies play a critical role too. Providing accessible support resources, promoting peer check-ins, and fostering workplaces where struggling workers feel comfortable seeking help all contribute to safer outcomes for agriculture professionals.

Beyond mental wellbeing, physical safety remains equally vital on farms. Businesses can strengthen their overall workplace safety approach by reviewing how they manage risks — our guide on why every business needs a risk register explains how structured risk management supports safer, more resilient teams.

Farming is far from the only industry grappling with serious safety and wellbeing challenges. Our coverage of worker fatalities across Australia in 2022 shows why continued investment in support systems and prevention strategies remains essential across every sector.

Similarly, workplace health issues extend beyond mental wellbeing alone. Research summarised in our article on Australian workers suffering from tinnitus reflects how varied occupational health risks require tailored support solutions depending on industry demands.

For agriculture workplaces managing injuries or emergencies alongside mental health pressures, having reliable equipment on hand matters too. A well-stocked general purpose first aid kit ensures teams remain prepared for immediate incidents while broader support structures address longer-term wellbeing.

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