The Minns Labor Government is continuing its commitment to safety on farms with SafeWork NSW delivering agricultural safety workshops to more than 80 women across regional NSW.
Women working in agriculture across regional NSW are being empowered to lead safety on farms through the Women in Agriculture: Leading Safer Futures workshops which highlight the critical role women play in shaping safer farming practices, while also showcasing how innovation and technology are driving sustainable improvements across the sector.
Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in NSW with 11 workplace fatalities on farms in 2025.
The workshops, facilitated by Bralca, provided practical, hands-on education aimed at managing high risk hazards in agricultural workplaces, supporting mental health and wellbeing, and using innovation and technology to improve safety on farms.
The workshops also demonstrated how innovation and technology are transforming farm safety and productivity with the use of drones to assist in tasks often carried on quad bikes, with Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis and SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer given a drone demonstration on a farm near Wagga.
Drones can reduce exposure to high-risk tasks such as checking water points, inspecting and spraying crops, mustering livestock and monitoring fences. By minimising reliance on vehicles and manual labour, they help improve efficiency while reducing physical strain and mental workload.
In August 2025, the Minns Labor Government added drones to the SafeWork Small Business Rebate which offer $1,000 towards to purchase of a drone. More than 20 applications for drones have been received.
SafeWork NSW and Bralca, supported by RAHMP and the Country Women's Association (CWA), hosted six workshops in Parkes, Gunnedah, Dubbo, West Wyalong, Hay and Cobar.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
"Women are often the key decision makers on farms and through this, they are drivers of shaping safer practices and culture on our farms.
"These workshops are about empowering women across regional NSW to play a key role in making the agriculture industry safer.
"Since the Minns Labor Government expanded the Small Business Rebate to include drones, we've seen more than 20 applications for drones to be used in safer farming practices.
"The NSW Government is encouraging farmers to take up the rebate to achieve safer farming practices and ensure their workers come home safe at the end of the day."
Minister For Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
"Farm safety is critically important, with many hazards unique to agricultural work. It is essential that workers have the right protections in place to stay safe on farm.
"These workshops are a valuable opportunity for women in agriculture-who are often key decision-makers on farms-to hear firsthand how innovation and technology can be used to improve safety outcomes."
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
"Regional women play vital roles on the farm, in agriculture and communities.
"These workshops were a fantastic way for them to get together, build relationships and bring new technologies and ideas back into their farms. Importantly, they would also have the skills and knowledge to really embed a safety culture in their work environments, making sure everyone gets to go home safe.
"This is part of the Minns Government's wider efforts to support regional women, by supporting their health and wellbeing, empower them, and boost participation in the community."
SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:
"Women in agriculture are powerful drivers of safety and change on farms.
"The Women in Agriculture: Leading Safer Futures series has reinforced the critical role women play in shaping safer, more innovative and more productive agricultural workplaces, while building a strong foundation for continued progress across regional NSW.
"These workshops were a valuable opportunity for women to come together, share experiences and explore how innovation and technology can improve safety, support productivity and create safer working environments on farms.
"Events like this create space to pause, reflect and think about how we can do things better and safer, especially in an industry where the pace of work rarely slows down.
"The feedback from the sessions was overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to continuing to provide important workshops like these that can help us continue to improve safety in the agricultural sector."
Bralca Operations Manager, Brooke Watts said:
"You can't put a value on a life. Through these workshops we were able to showcase the return on investment using ag tech can provide."
"Quite often, women are the decision makers on farms and the feedback from the women who attended these workshops was that they felt more empowered to be able to make decisions on farm safety."
CWA State President Tanya Jolly said:
"Women are central to the safety culture of agriculture. Across rural NSW, women are often the people making sure safety conversations happen, risks are identified, and practical systems are in place to help keep families, workers and communities safe."
