The Agriculture Boom

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The Rural Jobs Index reveals a remarkable surge in permanent employment opportunities within the sector. The driving force behind this growth? A surge in job openings in rural and regional areas, reshaping the landscape of agricultural employment.

A Decade of Unprecedented Growth:

Over the past decade, spanning from 2013 to 2022, the agricultural sector has experienced a seismic increase in the total number of advertised annual vacancies. The figures tell a compelling story: the total number of vacancies more than doubled during this period. However, what truly stands out is the staggering growth in regional vacancies, which have more than tripled, painting a vivid picture of the industry's evolution.

Shifting Geographical Dynamics:

In a noteworthy transformation, the proportion of metropolitan/city-based agricultural job vacancies has undergone a significant decline. In 2013, 30.6% of agricultural job vacancies were based in metropolitan cities. Fast forward to 2022, and this figure plummeted to a mere 11%. Projections for 2023 suggest a continuation of this trend, with an anticipated decrease that may even dip below the 10% mark.

Rimfire’s Rural Jobs Index:

The insights presented in this article are drawn from Rimfire’s Rural Jobs Index, a valuable resource tracking workforce demand in agriculture. This index focuses on permanent job advertisements, providing a nuanced understanding of the industry's employment landscape.

What the Data Shows:

As permanent job opportunities multiply, it is evident that the heart of this growth lies in the rural and regional areas. This shift signifies not only a change in the geographical distribution of jobs but also points to the vitality and prosperity of the agricultural industry beyond urban centers.

Looking Ahead:

With the projected trajectory indicating a further decline in city-based agricultural job vacancies, the industry appears poised for a continued emphasis on rural and regional employment opportunities. This trend brings with it a set of challenges and opportunities, necessitating a strategic approach to workforce planning and management.

The surge in demand for workers in agriculture, fueled by the exponential growth of regional vacancies, signifies a transformative period for the industry. As the dynamics of employment undergo a profound shift, businesses and stakeholders in the agricultural sector must stay attuned to these changes. Rimfire’s Rural Jobs Index stands as a beacon, illuminating the path forward with valuable insights that can inform strategic decision-making in the evolving world of agricultural employment.

For businesses seeking to leverage workforce data to inform their decision-making processes, Rimfire invites collaboration. Reach out to Katrine Sear or Jessica Roberts to explore how Rimfire's Rural Jobs Index and comprehensive data insights can support your business in navigating the evolving landscape of agricultural employment.

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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.