30 Jan 2025
SmartAg Queensland is an industry-led initiative designed to respond to the needs of farmers and growers by delivering relevant training.
Through SmartAg Queensland, farmers can access subsidised accredited, non-accredited and micro-credential training to support their agricultural enterprise to attract, train, and retain a skilled and diverse workforce.
The SmartAg Queensland program has hit the ground running in 2025 delivering training to farmers and growers throughout Queensland. QFF and our key strategic delivery partners – Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Cotton Australia and Canegrowers – are working on building bespoke business and leadership opportunities to roll-out throughout the year.
To date, close to 1,200 farmers and growers have accessed subsidised training through the program. The uptake of SmartAg Queensland since its launch in June 2024 is a credit to the safety and training culture of Queensland farmers. Many providers that work alongside the project have noted record numbers of participants for courses that they have been running for a number of years which is a testament to how eager Queensland growers are to utilise training when barriers to access are reduced.
Recent training that has been delivered through SmartAg Queensland includes:
Chemical Safety Courses
First Aid
Forklift training
Advanced Spray Application training
Freshcare
Excel training
Truck License training
Upcoming engagements
QFF’s SmartAg Queensland Coordinator Jasmin Smith will be engaging with industry at a number of upcoming events, including:
AgriFutures EvokeAG and associated events | Brisbane | 17 – 19 February
Cotton Australia’s Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day | Dirranbandi | 5 March
Upcoming training opportunities
SHINE
SmartAg Queensland will subsidise a business and personal development program for female farm business operators which will be delivered through a face-to-face workshop and a series of webinars. The training will be delivered in the following locations:
Goondiwindi | 26 February
Dalby | 27 February
St George | 4 March
Emerald | 12 March.
The program has 4 focus areas:
managing your business – business planning and strategy
managing yourself – time management, goal setting, personal effectiveness and communication
manage your team – staff and team management
manage your risk – WHS, IP risk, cyber risk.
The subsidised cost is $350 per participant with female Queenslanders involved in the farming and/or supply chain of plant industries (growing a crop for harvest or grazing).
Learn more and register here: www.housepaddocktraining.com.au/SHINE
Truck Licensing
Truck Licensing training continues to be subsidised across the state.
Plant-based growers in Queensland can now access subsidised truck training and licensing through SmartAg Queensland in the following format:
75% off 5 hours of lessons for MR, HR and HC licenses
50% off the MC upgrade package.
*For up to 3 people per business per financial year
If you would like more information about any of the above, please contact your local growers’ association or:
Jasmin Smith
SmartAg Queensland Coordinator, QFF
E jasmin@qff.org.au
M 0457 043 726
SmartAg Queensland is a collaboration between the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and the Queensland Government to support Queensland farmers.
SmartAg Queensland is being delivered in partnership with Cotton Australia, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers and Canegrowers.