NFF appears at parliamentary inquiry on firearms amendments
The below is the opening statement by National Farmers’ Federation Farming Systems Committee Chair, Chris Groves, who appeared before at the public hearing for the Inquiry by the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. The Committee is reviewing an Exposure Draft of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026. The proposed legislation includes contains […]
Sustainability the key to ag workforce puzzle
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called for a renewed focus on a sustainable agricultural workforce, urging policymakers to ensure the needs of regional communities are properly addressed. In a submission to the Value of Skilled Migration to Australia Inquiry, which closes today, the NFF said while skilled migrants played an important supporting role in […]
Inquiry into the Value of Skilled Migration to Australia
Skilled migrants can play a supporting role in agribusiness, particularly in specialised areas such as agronomy, farm management, machinery maintenance and agricultural-technology implementation. However, given that a large portion of farm work is seasonal, unskilled or semi-skilled, a sustainable workforce is our primary concern rather than where it is sourced from. From a cultural or […]
Proposed Changes to Round 3 of the On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP)
The NFF strongly supports the OFCP as a key mechanism to address the significant and often prohibitive cost of connectivity for Australian farmers and, in turn, a key mechanism to boost the sustainability and productivity of the agriculture sector. The NFF provided detailed feedback on proposed changes to Round 3 of the Program. The NFF’s […]
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and Six Related Bills
NFF supports reforms that deliver environmental protections, faster and efficient approval processes, and more transparency and integrity around environmental decision-making. We do not support the passage of legislation as currently drafted. Several amendments are required to ensure that reforms deliver better outcomes for business and achieve overarching EPBC Act objectives to protect the environment and […]
Farm gap-year program hits the mark as NFF calls for industry backing
Video case studies and photos available here. Australia’s on-farm, gap-year program, AgCAREERSTART, is telling a powerful story about young people wanting to make their start in agriculture. A program evaluation shows a high retention rate of AgCAREERSTART participants staying in agriculture through work or study, while every $1 invested delivers $5.56 back into the sector. […]
Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia – Phase 1 Report Review
Farmers are a cornerstone of regional economies, providing food security, export earnings, and sustaining rural communities. Yet, agriculture faces persistent and acute workforce pressures that must be addressed if the sector is to remain strong viable and productive. For the Jobs and Skills roadmap vision of enhancing the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of the jobs […]
Safe Work Australia Best Practice Review of the Model Work Health and Safety Laws
Agriculture is one of the nation’s highest-risk sectors, yet also one of themost diverse. It spans family farms, small enterprises, and complex supplychains operating across multiple jurisdictions. Achieving safer outcomes inthis environment requires regulation that is proportionate, evidence-based,and co-designed with industry The agricultural sector supports a nationally consistent WHS frameworkthat promotes clarity, efficiency, and fairness […]
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Review
Agriculture plays a critical role in regional employment and community life.The sector is characterised by small businesses operating in diverse andsometimes remote environments, where physical, technical and regulatoryconstraints often shape employment practices. It is therefore essential thatany amendments to the DDA strike a balance between protecting the rightsof people with disability on the one hand […]
NFF welcomes move on 30-hour PALM safety net
Comments attributable to NFF Interim Chief Executive, Su McCluskey The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to continue the averaging of the 30-hour safety net over four weeks for workers on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The previous approach of the Federal Government, which would have required employers to guarantee […]