Fatal incidents on Australian farms cost the sector more than $1 billion between 2019 and 2025, while fatality rates have shown little change compared with the previous two decades, according to new analysis.
The figures show that 427 people died on Australian farms during the seven year period, with 311, or 73%, killed in work related incidents.
Vehicles remain major farm hazard
Quads, tractors, side by side vehicles, farm utility vehicles, dams and trucks accounted for 42% of all fatalities. Tractors and quads were the vehicles most frequently involved in work related deaths.
Men accounted for 90% of fatalities, while people aged 55 and over represented half of those who died.
Children aged up to 14 accounted for 10% of fatalities, with dams and other water hazards, side by side vehicles and quads among the recurring causes.
When adjusted for the number of farms, workers and hours worked, incident rates fluctuated annually but showed no sustained upward or downward trend. Average rates remained relatively unchanged compared with the period from 2001 to 2020.
Compensation claims exceed $950 million
The findings are contained in the report, Health and Safety Data for Australian Farms, prepared by Kerri Lynn Peachey, Carlos Mesa Castrillon and Tony Lower of the University of Sydney and AgHealth Australia for the Rural Safety and Health Alliance.
The analysis uses seven years of coronial data from 2019 to 2025 and six years of workers’ compensation claims covering 2018 to 2019 through to 2023 to 2024. The sector recorded approximately 5,190 accepted workers’ compensation claims each year.
Serious claims accounted for around 99% of time lost from work and approximately 94% of compensation payments since 2019. Total claims exceeded $950 million across the period.
The report said this highlighted the need to prioritise reductions in severe injuries.
Serious injuries drive time away from work
In the most recent completed year, the median serious claim resulted in 6.6 weeks away from work and had a median cost of $14,200.
Falls, trips and slips, being struck by moving objects and body stressing were among the most common causes of serious injuries.
Animal related incidents, muscular stress associated with handling or lifting objects and vehicle incidents also featured prominently. The upper limbs, lower limbs and trunk were the areas of the body most frequently affected.
True injury numbers may be higher
The authors cautioned that the actual number of agricultural injuries is likely to be higher because workers’ compensation schemes typically exclude farm owner operators.
Only around 60% of agricultural workers are covered by compensation schemes, meaning a significant proportion of incidents may not be represented in the available data.
The findings indicate that established hazards including quads, tractors and side by side vehicles continue to require attention, while body stressing, falls and animal contact remain significant contributors to serious injuries.
