The State Government is aiming to strengthen South Australia’s wine, food and agribusinesses through the development of a sector-wide strategy to attract and retain workers.
The development of the workforce strategy is a key recommendation in a business case commissioned by the State Government, which has been launched today at the 2025 Primary Industries and Regions Forum.
“South Australia’s food, wine, and agribusiness sectors offer more than just jobs—they offer purpose,” said Caroline Rhodes, Primary Producers South Australia chief executive officer. “From scientists and agronomists to marketers, IT professionals, and veterinarians, there’s a place for every passion and skillset.
The business case highlights the extent to which workforce challenges are acting as a handbrake on the growth and productivity of the state’s agribusiness sector and identifies key barriers to workforce attraction and retention.
It outlines five major recommendations, the foremost being the development of a coordinated, state-wide workforce strategy for the sector.
SA’s Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven, said the business case demonstrates both “a need and an opportunity” to “showcase the sector and its career pathways as exciting, diverse and high value”.
The Food, Wine and Agribusiness Workforce Strategy will aim to deliver a long-term, integrated approach to supporting workforce growth, in line with the government’s broader economic mission to build South Australia’s talent.
The business case was developed by Deloitte Access Economics, commissioned by PIRSA in partnership with Primary Producers SA (PPSA), and in collaboration with other stakeholders across industry, government and the education sector.
The report outlines actions to deliver coordinated initiatives to:
- Improve community perceptions
- Highlight diverse career opportunities available
- Help education providers inspire and equip students to pursue agribusiness careers
- Support businesses to attract and retain migrant and overseas workers
- Explore ways to drive attraction of underutilised workforce demographics.
Development of the workforce strategy will be undertaken during 2025/26, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement.
The co-design of specific initiatives will also be informed by workforce data analytics and policy analysis. The Business Case Final Report is now available at pir.sa.gov.au/industry-forum.
Deputy Premier of South Australia, Susan Close, said the workforce for the state’s food, wine, and agribusiness sectors is “diverse, innovative and dynamic”.
“To maintain and enhance our state’s global reputation as a producer of clean, green, and premium products, strategic workforce planning is essential, with a coordinated approach that delivers clear attraction and retention initiatives and broader awareness of the job opportunities available.”
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