The National Centre for Farmer Health is proud to announce it has been awarded a prestigious five-year research grant from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). This nationally competitive grant will support the redevelopment and expansion of the AgriSafe™ program – a vital health, wellbeing and safety initiative tailored to the needs of people working in agriculture – and the clinical research needed to ensure it remains evidence-based, effective and future-ready.
This significant investment acknowledges the experience and expertise of the National Centre for Farmer Health and will enable AgriSafe to be scaled across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, bringing targeted health support to more Australian farmers. The project will work with local partners, farmers and health professionals to focus on strengthening the program’s research base, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving health needs of rural and regional communities.
The project will be delivered in partnership with Western District Health Service, the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (ARRCH), the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, Darling Downs Health Service, West Moreton Health Service, Deakin University and Central Queensland University.
“This is an exciting opportunity to bring community, clinical practice, and research together, and an important step forward for AgriSafe,” said Associate Professor Alison Kennedy, Director at the National Centre for Farmer Health.
“This funding will allow us to expand this program – but it’s not a replacement for the ongoing funding from the Victorian Government that remains critical to sustain the day-to-day delivery of essential health services in our Victorian communities.”
Professor Susan Brumby, Senior Researcher at the National Centre for Farmer Health and Clinical Lead on the newly funded project, emphasised the clinical and translational significance of the MRFF-funded project.
“This MRFF investment recognises the clinical and public health significance of agricultural health research,” she said. “It enables us to undertake a robust research program that will refine the AgriSafe approach, generate new evidence, and support scalable, community-responsive health interventions across rural Australia.”
Research activities will include co-design with farmers, clinical data collection, and ongoing impact evaluation across diverse agricultural settings, while delivery partners will bring the revitalised program to new regions, ensuring it is accessible, sustainable and community-driven.
Partner organisations have also welcomed the joint focus on delivery and evidence.
Andrea Caia, Acting Chief Executive of Primary Care Connect and representative of the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health, said:
“This project is a great example of what’s possible when rural organisations work together. AgriSafe has already proven its value, and we’re proud to be part of the next stage – making sure it reaches more communities and reflects the realities of life on the land.”
Darling Downs Representative, Richard Renshaw, said:
“AgriSafe is a new program for our region, and we’re excited to bring it to farming communities across the Darling Downs. This partnership gives us the chance to offer a targeted, proactive approach to farmer wellbeing that reflects the specific challenges faced by our local agricultural workforce.”
Shellie Burgess, Rural Health Network Manager at the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, said:
“The Rural Health Network welcomes the opportunity to support the scalability assessment of AgriSafe in New South Wales as part of this collaborative research. Supporting the health and wellbeing of our rural communities is a priority, and AgriSafe offers a valuable, evidence-based tool to help address the unique pressures faced by people working on the land.”
This MRFF-funded initiative represents a significant step forward in rural and agricultural health, ensuring that AgriSafe continues to make a difference where it’s needed most – on farms, in health services, and across regional Australia.
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For more information, please contact:
Alison Kennedy – Director, National Centre for Farmer Health
P: 03 5551 8533 | M: 0407 549 970 | E: alison.kennedy@wdhs.net
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