GrainGrowers has called on the Federal Government to prioritise nation-shaping investment in the upcoming budget, warning that Australia’s food system is increasingly exposed to high-impact risks that threaten long-term resilience.
In its 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission, GrainGrowers outlines the urgent need for targeted investment to strengthen domestic food security and support grain growers, regional communities, and the broader economy.
GrainGrowers’ submission highlights mounting pressures on the food system including land-use competition, climate change extremes, rising input costs, biosecurity threats, supply chain fragility, and geopolitical uncertainty.
To address these challenges, GrainGrowers has recommended a suite of practical investments in its 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission to safeguard agricultural land, secure industry access to inputs, strengthen supply chains, boost exports, capitalise on climate opportunities, support farmer mental health, and strengthen biosecurity.
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said GrainGrowers budget asks highlight a range of sensible, impactful opportunities.
“While we understand the budgetary constraints facing the government, action now can reinforce Australia’s national food security, enhance economic stability, and build industry and community resilience,” she said.
“What we have called for are practical, forward-looking investments that can help strengthen the ability for growers to navigate constantly changing headwinds and to maintain Australia's position as a reliable supplier of affordable, nutritious food in both domestic and export markets.”
Ms Gawel said it was vitally important for the government to work collaboratively with industry, putting in place the right policy and investment framework to meet future challenges.
The complete list of pre-budget recommendations is:
Safeguard agricultural land
- $10 million over four years to support the continued development and application of the Spatial Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment (SAFE) model to deliver a national agricultural land capability assessment
Secure access to inputs
- $5 million research and development grant package to support the use of Australian agricultural feedstocks
- $7 million package to improve farm input price transparency
- $9 million per year in ongoing public funding for the APVMA’s public benefit functions
- Maintain the fuel tax excise rebate for off-road diesel use for agriculture while diesel is still in use
Strengthen supply chains
- $900 million per year in targeted funding for key regional freight corridors to improve the long-term resilience of freight networks
- $100 million in targeted funding each year as part of the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to rebuild critical aging bridge infrastructure
- $900 million to continue and expand the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network program nationally, enabling upgrades to critical local government-managed freight routes that connect to state and national highways
- $1 million to enable the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to increase staffing capacity dedicated to partnering with local governments to improve heavy vehicle road access and streamline access approvals
Boost Australian exports
- $100 million over four years to support market access, maintenance and utilisation activities by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Capitalise on climate opportunities
- $5 million to develop a central climate-risk information database, so that growers have access to comprehensive and regionally specific data on climate hazards
- $2 million to review current off farm income tax treatments that restrain incentives for sustainability activities on private agricultural land, so that grain growers are not financially penalised for participation
- $2 million for the Clean Energy Regulator to establish a transparent database to track the performance and history of natural capital market intermediaries, so that accountability and trust are built among participating landowners
Support farmer mental health
- $50 million over four years for a national, agricultural industry led approach to grow farmers’ wellbeing and prevent suicides
Strengthen Biosecurity
- $50 million over four years to fund the implementation of the National Biosecurity Strategy and Action Plan
Ends
A copy of the full submission is available HERE.