Agribusiness Salary Increases Show Regional Disparities in 2024

Data from the Agribusiness Salary Review, Rimfire’s remuneration benchmarking tool, reveals a mixed picture of salary increases across Australia’s agribusiness sector in 2024. While some regions have seen above-average pay raises, others have lagged behind, highlighting regional disparities in wage growth within the industry.

The Agribusiness Salary Review, which provides agribusiness employers with live market remuneration data, shows pay rises in South Australia and Western Australia have fallen significantly below the national average for the year ending 30 June 2024. Meanwhile, Queensland and Tasmania have seen more generous wage increases, outpacing other states.

Regional Disparities in Wage Growth

Analysis of Rimfire’s Salary Review points to a varied landscape of wage growth across the country, reflecting the differences in local economic conditions, demand for skilled workers, and industry-specific factors.

In South Australia and Western Australia, salary increases have been notably subdued, with the potential to impact on workforce retention and future recruitment. These regions, both vital to Australia’s agribusiness economy, may face challenges in attracting talent if wage growth does not keep pace with industry trends in other parts of the country.

In contrast, Queensland and Tasmania have provided more competitive salary increases, which could help to position them as more attractive regions for agribusiness professionals. These pay rises are likely driven by strong demand for labour, particularly in industries like cattle farming, horticulture, and crop production, which are key drivers of economic activity in these regions.

National Trends and Local Factors

The national average for salary increases in agribusiness has been influenced by a variety of factors, including ongoing labour shortages, the rising cost of living, and increasing competition for skilled workers. These pressures have led many businesses to re-evaluate their remuneration strategies in order to remain competitive in a tight job market.

However, local economic conditions play a major role in shaping regional wage trends. For instance, local weather conditions, fluctuations in commodity prices, the performance of specific agricultural sectors, and regional investments in infrastructure can all contribute to differing wage outcomes across states and territories.

The Importance of Benchmarking Tools in Decision-Making

The Agribusiness Salary Review continues to be a valuable resource for employers in the sector, providing real-time data on salary trends that helps guide remuneration decisions.

As agribusinesses face evolving challenges such as workforce shortages, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, access to accurate and up-to-date salary data is critical to ensure attraction and retention of key talent.

Businesses operating in regions with below-average salary increases may need to explore alternative strategies to remain competitive, such as offering more attractive benefits, investing in workforce development, or providing flexible working conditions.

Looking Ahead

The findings of the Agribusiness Salary Review underline the importance of regularly benchmarking salaries to market conditions, allowing businesses to stay competitive and position themselves for future growth.

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Advancing Disability Inclusion in Australian Agriculture

February 11, 2025

In late 2024, Rimfire proudly partnered with Ability Agriculture , an Australian organisation dedicated to increasing employment opportunities and providing support for people with disabilities in the agricultural industry. Like many sectors, agriculture faces challenges in fully integrating people with disabilities into the workforce. While progress is being made, there is still significant work to be done to create more inclusive hiring practices. Supported Employment plays a vital role in fostering workplace inclusion, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Within agriculture, initiatives like those led by Ability Agriculture help break down barriers and create meaningful career pathways. To better understand the current landscape, Rimfire conducted an industry-wide survey on behalf of Ability Agriculture, gathering insights into the prevalence and awareness of Supported Employment and Open Employment opportunities in agribusiness. Key Insights from the Survey The survey received 70 responses from a diverse cross-section of the agricultural sector. The primary production and horticulture sectors made up over 38% of responses, while private unlisted companies accounted for the majority (around 70%). Non-profit organisations represented 15.7% of the total respondents. Disability Representation in Agriculture One of the most revealing findings was the low representation of employees with disabilities in the sector. While nearly a third of companies reported that 1-5% of their workforce identified as having a disability, a significant 61.4% indicated that none of their employees identified as having a disability. When it comes to job roles, there was a clear disparity in inclusion. Technical roles had the highest representation of employees with disabilities (10%), while sales and management roles had none. This highlights the need for more inclusive hiring practices across all levels of agribusiness. Steps Toward Inclusion Despite these challenges, 52% of businesses reported having workplace accommodations in place for employees with disabilities. This demonstrates that many agricultural businesses are actively taking steps toward inclusivity. However, more awareness and resources are needed to expand these efforts industry-wide. Barriers to Hiring People with Disabilities While some progress is evident, 50% of respondents identified challenges in hiring people with disabilities. Addressing these challenges requires industry-wide collaboration , education on inclusive employment practices , and continued investment in workplace accessibility .

Push for Inclusive Hiring

February 11, 2025

Rimfire & Ability Agriculture’s Push for Inclusive Hiring in Agribusiness

Rural Jobs Market Sees Decline Amid Industry Challenges

February 6, 2025

Strong global demand for premium agricultural products drove export growth in 2024. However high input costs, fluctuating commodity prices, and interest rate pressures challenged profitability for many producers. Workforce shortages continued to put a strain on operations in some areas, despite efforts to attract domestic workers and reform visa programs for both seasonal and skilled international labour. Despite this, Rimfire can report that 2024 represented a slowing in demand for workers across agriculture. Annual results from the Rural Jobs Index, a key indicator of employment opportunities in Australian agriculture, revealed the overall number of advertised vacancies was down 18% on the annual figure for 2023.