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Our Natural Resources at a Glance - Social

Social

  • Overall 672,140 people (or 3.6% of Australia's population) are either employed in agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries or are dependent on someone employed in this sector. The highest proportions are Tasmania (5.9%) and South Australia (5.1%).
  • 6,864,906 people live in rural and regional Australia (or 37% of Australia's population).
  • There were 194,838 farmers and farm managers in Australia in 2002, compared with 198,948 in 1996. 54% of all farmers and farm managers are located in inland Australia
  • The agricultural workforce is predominantly male, with 2.3 males to every female employed in the sector
farmers
  • Employment in agriculture accounts for 2.5% of all employment of 15-24 year olds Australia-wide.
  • A range of factors can influence land managers' approaches to natural resource management and tendency to adopt more sustainable practices and new innovations like Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
  • Tenure - about 50% of rural properties can be expected to be under different ownership or management in the coming decade. This presents opportunities and challenges with the loss of hard won local knowledge and opportunities to effect changes in land use or management practices.
  • Education and occupational training - farmers who participate in occupational courses and training activities tend to be more likely to adopt sustainable practices than those who do not.
  • Farm income - farmers frequently report that financial constraints are an important barrier to adopting sustainable practices and new innovations. Farms with higher levels of income or higher profitability may be more likely to adopt new practices.
  • Participation in Landcare - there is evidence that farmers who are involved in Landcare groups are more aware of land degradation problems on their properties. Farmers frequently report that involvement in groups like these influences their on-farm decision-making.

More information

Social Sciences

...At a Glance

Australia - Our Natural Resources | Foreword | Overview | Water | Climate | Soils | Land Use | Vegetation | Social | Biodiversity | Pests | Government Initiatives | Data and Information sources | Acknowledgements



Last reviewed: 27 Mar 2007
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