New National Strategy to Strengthen Food and Fibre Education in Australian Schools
- fftitc
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Australia’s agricultural industries have taken a major step toward strengthening the next generation’s understanding of food and fibre, with the release of the National Schools Food and Fibre Education Strategy. The Strategy responds to longstanding challenges in attracting a skilled workforce, improving community trust and ensuring young Australians understand where their food and fibre come from.
Developed through more than 900 engagement touchpoints across educators, industry, government and community stakeholders, the Strategy provides the most comprehensive national roadmap to date for elevating food and fibre education in primary and secondary schools. Consultations, surveys, interviews, workshops and a nationwide discussion process shaped its priorities, ensuring the final document reflects needs across urban, regional and remote contexts.
The Strategy highlights several critical challenges currently facing the sector. Despite the economic and social importance of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, food and fibre education, lacks consistent traction in schools.
Outdated perceptions remain common, almost 20% of Australians believe rural industries have changed little in 50 years. At the same time, significant knowledge gaps persist: 80% of primary students and 60% of secondary students incorrectly believe hand-milking is still used in commercial dairy systems. With 73% of Australians now living in major cities, the urban–rural divide continues to shape understanding and career aspirations.
To address these challenges, the Strategy sets out a clear long-term vision: Australian students and educators who are informed, equipped and inspired to champion a sustainable, thriving food and fibre sector. Achieving this vision requires collaboration across three priority areas: i) school–industry connections, ii) school-focused support, and iii) government leadership.
Key initiatives include strengthening local school–industry partnerships to provide real-world learning, improving access to professional development for teachers, enhancing curriculum-aligned resources, and expanding student exposure to modern production systems, technology and career pathways. Industry engagement is central, with only 25% of educators currently finding it easy to access industry contacts for classroom support and experiential learning.
Government involvement will also be crucial. The Strategy calls for coordinated investment, curriculum improvements and more practical compliance approaches for schools delivering food and fibre programs, particularly those involving animals, machinery or ag-tech. A national monitoring and evaluation framework has been established to measure long-term progress, focusing on student knowledge, teacher engagement, career pathway awareness and cross-sector collaboration.
Ultimately, the Strategy aims to equip young Australians with the knowledge, skills and curiosity needed to understand and value modern food and fibre systems. By bringing schools, industry and government together, it sets a foundation for stronger connections, clearer pathways and a more future-ready agricultural workforce.
SUMMARY - National Schools Food Fibre Education Strategy
The document outlines the National Schools Food Fibre Education Strategy, aimed at enhancing food and fibre education in Australian schools to foster awareness, career opportunities, and community trust in the agricultural sector.
National Schools Food and Fibre Education Strategy Overview
The National Schools Food and Fibre Education Strategy aims to enhance food and fibre education in Australian schools, addressing workforce challenges and community perceptions while fostering connections between students and the agricultural sector.
Importance of Food and Fibre Education
Food and fibre are crucial for Australia’s economy, environment, and food security.
Engaging students in this sector opens diverse career opportunities in ag-tech, sustainability, and innovation.
Education in food and fibre empowers informed decision-making and supports Australia’s long-term prosperity.
Current Challenges in Food and Fibre Education
Food and fibre education lacks consistent traction in schools, impacting workforce attraction.
Outdated perceptions exist, with nearly 20% of Australians believing rural industries have not changed in 50 years.
A significant knowledge gap is evident, with 80% of primary students misidentifying modern dairy practices.
Urban-rural divide: 73% of Australians live in cities, leading to disconnects with rural communities.
Strategy Development and Engagement Process
The Strategy was developed through extensive engagement with over 900 stakeholders, including educators, industry representatives, and government officials.
A phased approach was adopted, starting with initial engagement and culminating in a draft strategy by September 2025.
Stakeholder feedback was gathered through surveys, workshops, and consultations to shape the Strategy effectively.
Current Support and Initiatives for Education
Various programs support food and fibre education, including those from rural research and development corporations and PIEFA.
Successful programs are often backed by school leadership and connected to local industries.
There is a need for greater collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of existing initiatives.
Vision and Outcomes of the Strategy
The Strategy envisions informed and empowered students and educators who champion a sustainable food and fibre sector.
Short-term outcomes include increased collaborative support for food and fibre education.
Medium-term goals focus on diverse educational offerings and career pathway education related to food and fibre.
Collaborative Action and Priority Areas
Three priority areas for collaboration include enhancing school-industry connections, improving school-focused support, and securing government backing.
Engaging industry is crucial, as only 25% of educators find it easy to connect with industry contacts.
Proposed initiatives aim to strengthen these connections and increase investment in food and fibre education.
Strategic Principles for Implementation
The Strategy emphasises continuity, building on existing efforts, and ensuring geographic distribution of resources.
Programs should be modern, hands-on, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of students and schools.
Best practices include engaging educators in program design and addressing barriers to participation in food and fibre education.
School-Focused Support and Engagement Initiatives
The objective is to inspire and support food and fibre educators in schools.
High-quality, accessible support is crucial for effective food and fibre education delivery.
Educators face challenges such as the need for tailored resources and understanding of food and fibre career opportunities.
Student perceptions are a significant barrier to engaging in food and fibre subjects.
Targeted support for educators and students is essential to enhance awareness and interest in food and fibre education.
Government Support and Structure for Education
The goal is to engage governments in supporting food and fibre education through co-investment and curriculum improvements.
Strong government backing is vital for advancing food and fibre education in Australia.
Collaboration with ACARA is necessary to ensure food and fibre content is integrated into curricula.
Opportunities for co-investment in collaborative food and fibre education projects should be identified.
Compliance approaches for school food and fibre programs need to be pragmatic and efficient.
Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Development
A monitoring and evaluation framework has been created to assess the Strategy's effectiveness.
The framework includes indicators, baselines, and measurement frequency for long-term outcomes.
Individual monitoring frameworks for collaborative actions should be developed prior to implementation.
Continuous improvement and impact communication are essential for the Strategy's success.
Current Initiatives in Food and Fibre Education
Various programs and resources are developed by rural research and development corporations to engage students.
Initiatives include career resources, educational websites, and classroom activities focused on food and fibre.
Collaboration with educational institutions and industry stakeholders is emphasised to enhance program effectiveness.
We hope this article has been helpful. If you want to discuss any points in it, please contact our CEO Tony Palladino at tony@fftitc.com.au
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