ONE life is lost on an Australian farm every six days. This is according to new figures released yesterday in Farmsafe Australia's 2026 Safer Farms report, which revealed there were 427 farm fatalities from 2019 to 2025, and 53 on-farm deaths last year alone. 

The report, supported by WFI Insurance, shows tractors, side-by-side vehicles and quads continued to be the leading agents involved in farm fatalities last year, with males accounting for 91 per cent of farm deaths. 

Farmsafe Australia said the figures were a reminder that while Australian farmers produced the food and fibre that kept the nation running, too many families continued to be affected by preventable injuries and fatalities on farms.

"They also reinforce the importance of continuing to build safer farms, stronger safety cultures and better outcomes for the people behind Australian agriculture," it said. 

Aside from the immeasurable emotional cost, the average financial cost of each farm fatality between 2019 and 2025 was estimated at around $2.4 million, totalling approximately $1 billion over the seven years. With workers' compensation data suggesting farm injuries cost an additional $159 million each year, the combined cost of fatalities and injuries was estimated at around $306 million annually. 

A REASON FOR OPTIMISM 

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.

"Every day on Australian farms, people are watching. They watch how we approach a task, how we respond under pressure, what we walk past, what we accept and what we choose to challenge."

With tractors, side-by-sides and quad bikes continuing to be the leading causes of fatalities on Australian farms, 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. 

WORKING TOGETHER

WFI Insurance executive general manager, Damien Gallagher, said the report reflected the value of industry working together to create meaningful and lasting change.

"For many years, WFI has proudly supported the Safer Farms Report because meaningful change starts with understanding the risks, challenges, and opportunities facing Australian agriculture. This report combines evidence, practical ideas and the voices of farmers themselves to help strengthen safety across our industry," he said.  

Gallagher said improving farm safety was a shared responsibility.

"Every conversation about safety has the potential to prevent an injury, strengthen a business and protect a farming family. We're proud to support initiatives that encourage practical leadership and help create safer outcomes across Australian agriculture," he said. 

The release of the annual Safer Farm Report coincided with the launch of this year's National Farm Safety Week campaign - Set the Standard: Show ‘em how it's done. The campaign will feature six Safer Farmers Ambassadors from across Australia, who will share their own experiences and practical insights into creating stronger safety cultures. 

Download the 2026 Safer Farm Report here and read more about the National Farm Safety Week campaign on the Farming Ahead website.