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AUSTRALIA’S livestock industries underpin the nation’s food and fibre supply while supporting regional economies and export markets.

Identifying future workforce needs for the sector will help the industry respond to changing production, biosecurity and animal welfare requirements.

Skills Insight, a Jobs and Skills Council funded by the Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has this week released its Workforce Plan 2026–2027 at an industry event in Melbourne. Skills Insight works with stakeholders across the agribusiness, food, fibre, animal and environmental care industries who share a passion for improving skills and training. Across the industries it supports, 60pc live outside of capital cities.

The 2026-26 Workforce Plan identifies workforce challenges and opportunities across the industries under Skills Insight’s remit.

It highlights skills shortages, changing workforce needs and pathways into employment, and sets out priorities for collaboration between industry, governments and the vocational education and training sector.

The 2026–27 plan sets out the workforce challenges, opportunities and priority actions shaping the sectors, and is targeted at employers, workers, training providers and governments who are working to keep these industries skilled, safe and productive.

The Workforce Plan is Skills Insight’s annual, evidence-based roadmap. It draws on industry data, stakeholder consultation and sector research to identify where coordinated action is needed. It also guides the projects Skills Insight puts forward to the Australian Government each year.

What the data is saying

Ageing workforces, seasonal work patterns and regional attraction challenges contribute to ongoing labour supply constraints across the agri-sectors covered. With more than 90pc of businesses in the industries supported by Skills Insight employing five or fewer people, many can’t easily absorb the time and cost of off-farm training, which limits the development of a secure, long-term domestic skills pipeline.

Many of these industries operate in regional, rural and remote training markets, where dispersed learners and higher delivery costs mean RTOs struggle to consistently offer training where and when it’s needed.

National data collections often understate workforce and training demand in regional, rural and remote areas, the report says, making it harder for industry and government to plan and fund effective responses.

Four priorities for action

Access and inclusion: Making sure people in regional, rural and remote areas, and across all parts of the workforce, can access the training they need.

Evidence-based decision-making: Closing the gaps in national data so that policy and funding decisions reflect what’s really happening on the ground.

Productivity and capability​: Keeping qualifications and training current as digital technology, automation and sustainability reshape the way these industries work.

Quality skills system​: Making sure the skills system recognises real workplace capability and delivers training that’s practical, accessible and fit for purpose.

Federal minister for skills and training, Andrew Giles, recognised the contribution of these industries to Australia’s economic resilience and national priorities.

“Without these industries, Australia stops. Skills Insight is playing such an important role in bringing them together to identify the challenges and opportunities, and most importantly ensure we’re taking action now to prepare for the future,” he said.

Skills Insight CEO Dugald Murray said the Workforce Plan brought together industry intelligence to support practical workforce solutions and rewarding careers.

“Skills Insight works with industries that care for Australia’s land, water, animals and food systems, and support supply chains Australians rely on every day,” Mr Murray said.

“These industries need people with the right skills, in the right places, to respond to changing workforce needs and continue delivering for communities across Australia. VET is central to this effort. It creates job-ready pathways for people entering or progressing in the workforce, while helping industries and regions access the skills they need.

“Our Workforce Plan 2026–27 identifies where workforce pressures are emerging and how industry, government and the VET sector can work together to create better pathways into these vital industries.”

The plan will guide Skills Insight’s work with industry over the coming year and is reviewed regularly to remain responsive to changing workforce needs.

Click here to view the Workforce Plan 2026–2027 at skillsinsight.com.au/workforce-planning