Fact Sheet
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industries consists of those sectors involved in growing crops; raising animals; growing and harvesting timber; and harvesting fish and other animals from their habitats and farms.
It also comprises those providing support services to producers. Agriculture Support Services are as diverse as shearing, cotton ginning, aerial crop spraying, mustering, seeding, artificial insemination, and fruit or vegetable picking services. Forestry Support Services include those involved in the planting and pruning of trees, and the operation of tree nurseries for forest plantation. Fishing Support includes activities involved in aquaculture and wild catch and related marine support services.
Future employment opportunities and profitability in some areas of the industry are heavily influenced by external factors, such as drought and commodity prices.
In 2006 there were 280,924 people working in the industry, 198,742 of them in full-time positions, with another 63,422 working part-time. Total employment is expected to rise over the next 10 years particularly in rural and regional areas. An increasing demand for timber means that there will be an additional 13,000 full-time workers needed in the forestry and logging sector by 2010.
In the 2006-07 financial year Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing contributed $23.594 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2005-2006 its contribution was $28.258 billion.