Over the course of this inquiry, an encouraging trend emerged from the over 300 consultations held and 117 submissions viewed by the National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee. It became clear that many Australian enterprises in agriculture and related sectors, both on the farm and off, were independently insisting on proper learning for all their staff, from senior managers down to temporary workers. The enterprises brought to the Committee's attention came from horticulture, cropping, sheep farming, dairy, seafood, retailing, transport – a wide variety of Australian companies whose owners and managers, just like generations before them, were grasping a simple fact, that poorly trained people mean poor technological advancement, low productivity and low profits; and conversely, that modern training is required for advanced technology, high productivity and profits in the 21st century.

After consultation with more than 300 organisations and consideration of 117 submissions, this strategy report was submitted to government for consideration with 37 recommendations. Many of these recommendations confirm the need to:

• modernise agriculture’s image
• create opportunities to attract, diversify and retain workers
• embrace innovation
• build skills for modern agriculture
• ensure agricultural workers are treated ethically and lawfully.