Women Lead Farm Safety Innovation Across Regional NSW

The Minns Labor Government is reinforcing its focus on farm safety, with SafeWork NSW delivering dedicated agricultural safety workshops to more than 80 women across regional New South Wales.

The Women in Agriculture: Leading Safer Futures workshops were designed to empower women as safety leaders on farms, recognising their central role in decision-making, risk management and the implementation of WHS management systems, safe work method statements (SWMS) and farm safety policies.

Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in NSW, with 11 on‑farm workplace fatalities recorded in 2025. The workshops directly addressed this risk profile by concentrating on high‑risk agricultural tasks and practical control measures to prevent serious incidents.

Facilitated by Bralca, the sessions provided hands‑on training in identifying and managing high‑risk hazards, supporting mental health and wellbeing in remote work environments, and embedding innovation and technology into everyday farm operations. Participants were encouraged to review and strengthen their own WHS procedures, SWMS and farm safety documentation. For businesses seeking to formalise these frameworks, commercially available WHS management systems and policies can help ensure risks are systematically controlled and documented, such as those available at Bluesafe Online.

A key feature of the workshops was the demonstration of agricultural drones as a safer alternative to traditional methods such as quad bike use. On a farm near Wagga, Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis and SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer observed how drones can be used for checking water points, inspecting and spraying crops, mustering livestock and monitoring fences.

By reducing reliance on vehicles, rough terrain travel and physically demanding manual tasks, drones can significantly lower exposure to common farm hazards, decrease physical strain and assist with managing mental workload. This aligns with contemporary WHS risk management principles, where engineering and technological controls are prioritised over administrative measures alone.

In August 2025, the Minns Labor Government expanded the SafeWork Small Business Rebate to include drones, offering eligible small businesses up to $1,000 towards the purchase of a drone for safer farm operations. More than 20 applications have already been submitted, indicating growing uptake of this technology as part of broader farm safety strategies.

SafeWork NSW and Bralca, supported by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAHMP) and the Country Women’s Association (CWA), delivered six workshops across Parkes, Gunnedah, Dubbo, West Wyalong, Hay and Cobar. Each session provided an opportunity for women to share experiences, benchmark their safety practices and explore how technology can be integrated into their existing WHS systems.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis emphasised that women are often the key decision makers on farms and are instrumental in setting the tone for safety culture. She highlighted that the workshops were designed to equip women with practical tools and confidence to drive safer practices and to encourage further uptake of the drone rebate to support safer farming methods and ensure workers return home safely.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty underlined that farm safety requires tailored approaches, given the unique hazards of agricultural work, from plant and machinery risks to animal handling and remote work. She noted that the workshops gave women an opportunity to see first-hand how innovation, technology and structured WHS planning can deliver improved safety outcomes across farming enterprises.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison acknowledged the vital contribution of regional women in farming, agriculture and their communities. She noted that the workshops not only facilitated networking and peer support, but also equipped participants to embed a stronger safety culture back on their farms, helping ensure that safety conversations are ongoing and practical solutions are implemented.

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer stated that women in agriculture are powerful drivers of change, and that the Leading Safer Futures series reinforced their role in building safer, more innovative and more productive workplaces. She said the events allowed participants to pause, reflect on current practices and consider how technology and better planning can improve both safety and productivity in an industry where work pressures are often intense and continuous.

Bralca Operations Manager Brooke Watts highlighted the strong return on investment that agricultural technology can deliver when viewed through a WHS lens, noting that the value of a life far outweighs the cost of implementing safer systems and equipment. Feedback from participants indicated that many felt more confident and empowered to make informed decisions about farm safety after attending.

CWA State President Tanya Jolly reinforced that women are often at the centre of agricultural safety culture across rural NSW. They are frequently the people initiating safety discussions, identifying risks and ensuring that practical systems, procedures and SWMS are in place to protect families, workers and communities.

Collectively, the workshops demonstrate a continued commitment to building safer farming environments through strong leadership by women, better WHS planning, and the adoption of innovative technologies that reduce risk and support sustainable agricultural productivity.