Shortage of Workers in the Australian Farming Sector

According to leading food industry organisations, in the Australian farming sector, 172,000 additional workers are required to prevent customers from paying higher food prices for more extended periods of time and from having fewer food options after 2022.

Demand that the next Jobs and Skills Summit give the food sector top priority from the federal government
According to Australia's three major food industry organisations, there are at least 172,000 workers missing from the food supply chain from paddock to plate. If solutions aren't discovered promptly, this severe labour shortage will have a long-term impact on the cost and availability of food for consumers.

This is one of the few "cost of living" issues the Government can control, according to the top groups that recently joined forces to form the Food Supply Chain Alliance. The Alliance thinks the next Jobs and Skills Summit has to prioritise the food industry because it offers a crucial service to the community and must produce workable solutions in order to be successful.

The "Food Supply Chain Alliance" comprises more than 160,000 companies with over $200 billion in annual revenue. It consists of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Meat Industry Council, Seafood Industry Australia, Independent Food Distributors Australia, AUSVEG, Master Grocers Australia, and the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association.