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The Australian Government commissioned Jobs and Skills Australia to undertake an independent study on the workforce needs of Australia’s food supply chain. 

While there are many activities vital to the food supply chain, the primary focus of this study was to explore the production, manufacturing and distribution of food. This study focuses on the key challenges and opportunities that can be addressed through the national skills system. Our final report presents a series of recommendations addressing the following key themes:

• Improve the relevance and delivery of tertiary education and training.
• Invest in sustainable veterinary and biosecurity workforce pathways.
• Combat worker exploitation and ensure migration continues to support regional Australia.
• Harness opportunities within the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
• Improve labour hire practices, enforcement and information.
• Support apprenticeships and traineeships for critical roles.
• Facilitate better planning of the food supply chain workforce.
• Address barriers in regional, rural and remote Australia.

The study highlights the value of work-based learning models, such as apprenticeships and traineeships which provide practical skills and ‘earn while you learn’ opportunities. Food production plays a critical role as a major employer in regional, rural and remote Australia. The Broadacre sector alone employs over 117,000 workers and anchors many regional communities. However, the lack of sustainable housing and access to important services in these areas is a significant challenge. Coordinated government efforts are needed to develop targeted local solutions. 

Jobs and Skills Australia, recognised as a trusted authority in data, analysis, and advice, led the study. In line with our legislated mandate, the research was informed by a tripartite approach to engagement and consultation. We engaged and consulted closely with industry peak bodies, employers, unions, academics, and education and training providers, ensuring a balanced perspective. 

The study complements related efforts by other agencies and emphasises the importance of a resilient workforce to support Australia’s food supply chain and its broader economic infrastructure. Building this resilience requires workers having the right skills in the right locations at the right time. 

The report provides a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by the food supply chain workforce, who play a crucial role in Australia’s economy, while offering actionable recommendations to support their growth and long-term sustainability. A skilled an adaptable workforce will remain an essential ingredient to our continued success. 

An Essential Ingredient: The Food Supply Chain Workforce – Full Report - https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/download/19720/essential-ingredient-food-supply-chain-workforce/3017/essential-ingredient-food-supply-chain-workforce-full-report/pdf

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources has released its report for its inquiry into food and beverage manufacturing in Australia, titled Food for Thought: The opportunities and challenges for Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry. The report has made 23 recommendations.

The Chair of the committee, Mr Rob Mitchell MP, said, 'By 2040, the global population is expected to reach nine billion. This will shape the global economic and consumer landscape, and Australia is well-positioned to capitalise on its ‘clean and green’ reputation and ability to innovate and expand product range to further increase its market share, both domestically and internationally.'

'This inquiry found many opportunities for expanding the Australian food and beverage manufacturing sector. These include export opportunities, integrating new technologies, building on Australia’s reputational and competitive advantages, and adding value to raw products to produce high-value goods.'

'The Committee has made several recommendations to take advantage of these opportunities, including developing a National Food Plan, increasing AusTrade assistance for small and medium enterprises looking to export Australian food and beverage products to Asia, identifying skills shortages in the industry, and supporting automation technologies.'

Further information on the inquiry, as well as a copy of the report, can be obtained from the inquiry website.

FoodTech Qld has announced its return to the Gold Coast from June 19-20, 2025. Taking place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, the show will feature technological advancements in food production, food science, supply chain, distribution and warehousing, food safety, processing, packaging, and plant equipment.

FoodTech serves as a key platform for more than 3,000 professionals from the food and beverage manufacturing industry to drive business growth, introduce cutting-edge technologies, and promote invaluable networking opportunities. Attendees will gain direct access to more than 140 leading suppliers showcasing breakthrough solutions that are revolutionising the food production and processing landscape.

FoodTech QLD 2025 Highlights:

• Conference
  A two-day comprehensive conference runs alongside the expo, offering actionable insights from subject matter experts on emerging trends and technologies. These sessions are designed to tackle the biggest challenges facing today’s food manufacturers.
• Interactive Exhibits
  From advanced filling line equipment and automated packaging systems to digital measuring solutions and sustainable packaging options, the show floor will cover every aspect of food technology.
• Supplier Engagement
  Direct contact with leading solutions providers and innovators who are defining the future of food manufacturing and production. Discover new products, technologies, and services that can help scale business operations whilst improving the bottom line.
• Networking Opportunities
  The event kicks off with a Welcome Party at The Star’s Isoletto Privé, on the evening of June 18th, followed by an official Networking Party at QT’s Stingray Lounge on the evening of day one, June 19th. During the exhibition there will also be a Networking Lounge, sponsored by Mosca, where visitors can mix with the rising stars and leading brands in food manufacturing. These opportunities offer a relaxed environment to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones. 

Key Discussion Focuses (Conference Agenda)

• Technological Advancements
  Insights into technology driving change in food manufacturing. Highlights include keynote discussions on how automation and AI are propelling the industry forward and panel discussions on using technology to support growth and reduce costs.

• Consumer Trends
  In-depth exploration of how the current and coming tech advancements can help the industry adapt to changing consumer demands, with strategies for rapid market response.

• Empowering Food Manufacturing by Going Digital
  Detailed sessions on perfecting production, improving supply chain, logistics, and operational efficiency using IoT, data analytics, and predictive maintenance.

• People and Teams Insights to attract and retain top talent, up-skill teams for advanced technologies, and promoting collaboration to build resilient, innovative workforces in food manufacturing.

For more information, please visit the FoodTech Qld website.

The FAO has released a report Food Safety in a Circular Economy, that provides an analysis of current and emerging evidence on food safety risks in circular food production systems. The report examines in depth four major dimensions of concern – water scarcity, food loss and waste, food packaging waste, and land use efficiency.

Circular economies are critical to achieving the transformation needed for our agrifood systems to guarantee adequate food for all produced within the planetary boundaries. At the same time, this transformation requires adapting food safety policies and principles to ensure that food remains safe.

Addressing potential food safety concerns in a circular economy – through regulation, consumer awareness and targeted research – will be key to transforming agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers, farmers, product and food manufacturers, regulators and consumers all play a role in supporting the transformation to safe, circular agrifood systems.

Download the report ➡️ -https://lnkd.in/gWW_DRa5

Download open access article in Nature ➡️ -https://lnkd.in/gERaThqf

In September, AIFST welcomed the opportunity to comment on the second call for submissions for proposal 1055, Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques.

AIFST supports FSANZ’s approach with the proposed outcome-based definition of ‘genetically modified food’ including the exclusions for certain substances or sources (e.g. food derived from a null segregant or part of a grafted plant where the parts do not contain novel DNA or protein).

To access the full submission, visit our submissions page here https://www.aifst.asn.au/AIFST-Submissions

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is aware of reports concerning the detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in tomato crops in South Australia.

ToBRFV is a virus that infects plants, particularly tomatoes and other crops such as capsicums and chillies.

FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the virus does not pose a food safety risk.

“Consumers can continue to eat tomatoes and other produce with confidence,” Dr Cuthbert said.

“The virus reduces crop yields and marketability, and the restrictions that have been put in place aim to protect other producers from these impacts.

“Australia’s world-class biosecurity and food regulation systems manage plant viruses like tomato brown rugose fruit virus to support the sustainability of our agricultural industries and minimise disruption to the food supply chain.”

Media contact

• 0401 714 265 (Australia)
• media@foodstandards.gov.au

The first report from the Date Labelling and Storage Advice Project is now available! It reveals that Australians are wasting edible food due to confusing date labels and unclear storage advice. 

This important study was conducted by RMIT University in partnership with End Food Waste Australia, NSW EPA, the Queensland Government, Green Industries SA, and Sustainability Victoria. AIFST is proud to have been involved with CEO Fiona Fleming representingthe AIFST on the Project’s Steering Committee. 

Key findings: 

• People relied on date labels to dispose of food and often did not feel confident using their senses to test food first. 
  
• Consumers want clear, consistent and easy-to-read information. 
  
• They want practical tips and advice on storing food and sealing packaging to prolong food’s life and reduce waste. 
  
• They find existing advice like “store in a cool, dry place” vague and unhelpful, particularly given Australia’s wide climate variations. 
  
• They want explicit freezing and thawing advice for foods that can be frozen. 
  

 
In total, 125 in-depth interviews were conducted across Australia, and the insights are already helping to shape more effective date label and storage advice designs, currently being tested. 

Read the full report here: [https://lnkd.in/gUHa7UYb] 

#FoodWaste #Sustainability #FoodLabelling #EndFoodWaste 

In August, AIFST welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the National Biosecurity Strategy Action Plan 2024: Connected, Resilient, Shared. We were grateful to contribute our insights to help strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system.

Our submission is informed by the report commissioned by AIFST, Exploring the Growth Potential of Australia’s Food Manufacturing Sector: A New Narrative for Australia’s Agrifood System, published in January 2021.

To access the full submission, visit our submisions page here https://www.aifst.asn.au/AIFST-Submissions

It’s National Science Week (10-18 August) and the Australian Government has released the National Science Statement and the National Science and Research Priorities. 

The National Science Statement provides a framework to shape science policy and leadership across governments, in our labs, in research institutions and in boardrooms, to 2034. It is supported by a set of revitalised National Science and Research Priorities. These emphasize the science and research collaborations Australia will need to solve its greatest challenges. 

As we saw at the recent AIFST24 convention, new ways of working are emerging that embrace multi-disciplinary approaches, shared infrastructure, shared datasets, and developing digital capabilities. This shift is particularly important in the food science sector, where the integration of cutting-edge technology, sustainability practices, and consumer health insights are critical. Food scientists are now at the forefront of these changes, playing a pivotal role in addressing global food security, developing alternative proteins, and creating healthier, more sustainable food systems. 

In particular, the world is shifting to new models for conducting science – moving away from siloed science funding, hyper-competitive teams, and a lack of collaboration. Mission-led science is becoming the new normal, and Australia can lead the way. In this context, food scientists are not only contributing to innovations in food production and safety but also to broader scientific missions, such as improving public health and reducing environmental impact through sustainable practices. 

The National Science Statement outlines five imperatives that will shape the national science system and national science policy, and their influence on Australia’s transformation, over the next 10 years: 

• Australian scientists, science institutions, and infrastructure shaping Australia’s science future 
• Science at the centre of Australian industry  
• A diverse, skilled workforce to underpin the translation of science into new industries  
• Embracing science to drive Australia’s regional and global interests  
• A science system prepared for future challenges  

Access the link below to read the National Science Statement: 

https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-science-statement-2024 

 

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) is aware of reports in international media asserting that cooking oil has been transported in the same trucks that are used to transport fuel and other chemicals.

The department can confirm that Australia imports significant quantities of oils that could be considered a ‘cooking oil’ from China. While one company in China is named in the media reports (Sinograin), it is currently unclear how many producers and oils may be impacted by the contamination concern.

The department sought information from the relevant competent authority in China, via our Agriculture Counsellor in Beijing, on the safety of cooking oils exported to Australia and have received a response from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). In this response GACC has confirmed:

• the Chinese government attaches great importance to the issue of cooking oil being contaminated and the relevant departments are investigating
• there have been no reported cases of consumers becoming sick from consuming potentially contaminated cooking oils
• exports to Australia of oil from China in 2023 and the first half of 2024 are all pre-packaged refined edible vegetable oils for direct sales, rather than vegetable oils transported by oil tankers and exports complied with the relevant requirements for exporting food.

The Department has asked our Counsellor in Beijing to keep abreast of this issue and we will continue to provide updates if any new information becomes available. We encourage industry to continue to seek assurances from suppliers on the safety of cooking oils sourced from China.