On The Land
1 August, 2026
Too many lives lost: report
NEW figures have been released revealing that 53 lives were lost and a further 182 people were seriously injured on Australian farms in 2025.
The 2026 Safer Farms Report, launched by Farmsafe Australia, shows that 427 lives have been lost since 2019, more than one person every week for seven consecutive years.
The 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.
The latest 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.
Farmsafe Australia Chair Felicity Richards said while the report highlighted the challenges facing Australian agriculture, it also provided 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,” she said.
“Whether we realise it or not, those moments matter because they become the standards we set and the standards others follow.”
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,” she said.
“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.”
The 2026 Safer Farms Report is available at: https://observer.s.gy/FJr57N
