Queensland Farm Jobs to Fall 2.4% to 61,600 in 2026-27 as Automation Lifts Productivity
Updated
Updated · Queensland Country Life · Jul 14
Queensland Farm Jobs to Fall 2.4% to 61,600 in 2026-27 as Automation Lifts Productivity
1 articles · Updated · Queensland Country Life · Jul 14
Summary
1,500 Queensland agriculture, forestry and fisheries jobs are projected to disappear in 2026-27, taking the workforce from 63,100 to 61,600, according to Jobs Queensland.
Automation is the main driver: producers are adopting driverless tractors, drones, remote sensors and robotics that let farms produce more with fewer workers.
Beef cattle, sheep and grain production are expected to lose about 900 jobs, while fruit, tree nut and vegetable growing each shed about 100; Darling Downs-Maranoa faces the biggest regional drop, down 300.
The report still projects 7,800 openings in existing roles through 2029 as workers retire or switch jobs, even as new jobs decline by 2,700 and the total farm workforce edges down to 62,900.
Queensland's 12-month farm employment decline to February 2026 was 3.3%, smaller than NSW's 17.3% and Victoria's 15.4%, while support industries tied to agriculture are forecast to add 18,900 workers by 2029.