AgriSafe 2.0: Building a new chapter | National Centre for Farmer Health

Your health is your most valuable asset, for your family, your farm, and your future.

We’ve received a major research grant from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to improve and expand the AgriSafe program. That means we’ll be working closely with farmers, health professionals and industry partners to make sure AgriSafe is practical, useful and built around what farmers really need.

This matters because poor health doesn’t just affect you – it affects your family, your business and your community.

The original AgriSafe model

The original AgriSafe model offers one-on-one health checkups made specifically for farmers. Delivered by trained health professionals who understand  farming life, these 90-minute sessions are practical, private and tailored to your needs.  It covers:

Blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and BMI checks
Hearing, vision, skin and breathing tests
Urine testing and agrichemical exposure screening
Respirator fit testing
Risk assessment for your work
Personalised advice and referrals.

What’s coming?

Project progress

Since being granted the MRFF funding for this project, the team is:

Identifying stakeholders and working with them to discover what is important in a farmer health check.
Conducting interviews that will help us learn the barriers to farmers participating in health checks and what motivates them to participate.
Working closely with the Steering Committee which was established to guide the project (see below to meet the members).

Take part in an interview

We’re looking for farmers, farm workers, and others in the ag sector to join a 30-45 minute Zoom interview. You’ll help us understand what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to health checks.

Interviews run from November 2025 to February 2026
You may be invited to give feedback on survey questions later.

What’s coming next?

Farmer Surveys to see what farmers and their families prioritise in health checks, launching in late March 2026
A pilot program, to launch in late 2026  
Full rollout across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland expected in 2027.

Our partners

Our Steering Committee

Our Steering Committee is made up of a passionate group of farmers and agricultural stakeholders across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. This group brings diverse experience and perspectives and are essential to steering the project and ensuring its continued progress.

Di Bowles – Victorian farmer

Di is a committed farmer and health advocate with a strong focus on farmer wellbeing. She has personally benefited from the AgriSafe program, which identified health issues for both her and her husband.

As Chair of Northern District Community Health, she actively supports the program and its continuation. With extensive board experience, Di also serves as Chair of Lifeline Loddon Mallee and Deputy Chair of Rural Financial Counselling Service.

She is passionate about promoting health and mental health awareness in rural communities and is excited about the upcoming refresh of the AgriSafe program. 

Nicholas (Nick) Shady – Victorian farmer

Nick is a hands-on family farmer with 35 years of experience in livestock and broadacre cropping. Holding a MBA from Federation University, Nick is deeply committed to improving farm safety and wellbeing, particularly around fatigue awareness.

He has served as a director of a local health service foundation and has been involved in various community organisations. Nick’s practical knowledge of farming, combined with his leadership roles and advocacy for rural health, makes him a strong member of the AgriSafe 2.0 Steering Committee.

He seeks to contribute his unique perspective to advance farm safety and health initiatives. 

Amelia Smith – NSW farmer, former dietician and health service manager

Amelia has a strong background in rural health. With a career shift to farming, Amelia brings a unique perspective to farmer health and wellbeing, having firsthand experience with the physical and mental challenges of farm life.

She has led health initiatives, including yoga classes for farm families during the drought, and has extensive experience in health service delivery, primary care, and volunteer roles in rural communities.

Amelia’s passion for improving health outcomes in farming communities, combined with her health and farming expertise, makes her a valuable member of the AgriSafe 2.0 Steering Committee. 

Pip Job – NSW farmer and agricultural consultant

Pip has 30 years of experience in farming practice change, policy, and extension services. She has led various mental health, resilience, and safety programs for farmers, including natural disaster recovery initiatives while serving as Director of Industry Engagement at NSW DPI.

Pip is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has held senior roles in government, not-for-profit organisations, and private business. Awarded the 2014 RIRDC Rural Woman of the Year, she is passionate about improving farmer health, safety, and wellbeing and driving impactful change in the sector. 

Mandy McCutcheon – Queensland livestock grazier

Mandy has extensive experience in agriculture, including livestock and crop production, livestock nutrition consulting, and agricultural education. With her family and employees working alongside her on the farm and in a livestock trucking business, Mandy prioritises the health, safety, and wellbeing of those in her care.

She is committed to ensuring that the information shared with farmers is relevant and relatable. Her diverse agricultural background and dedication to improving farm safety make her a valuable addition to the AgriSafe 2.0 Steering Committee, where she aims to contribute her practical experience and insights. 