Funding to support industry transition – phase out of live sheep exports by sea

The Albanese Labor Government is today announcing further details of the $139.7 million sheep industry transition assistance package to support the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.

The release of this detailed assistance package follows a series of industry co-design workshops held in Western Australia earlier this year.

The 16 workshops attracted over 300 participants to map out the best way forward for the Western Australian sheep industry.

The package announced today will assist individuals, businesses and communities to confidently plan and adapt to laws passed by the Australian Parliament to end live sheep exports by sea from 1 May 2028.

This will also help farmers and the rest of the supply chain capitalise on the opportunities from this transition and the increasing demand for sheep meat domestically and globally.

The assistance package includes further details on how the Albanese Labor Government will deliver the $139.7 million in funding and includes:

• $40 million to enhance processing supply chain capacity and $1.5 million for community wellbeing support delivered in partnership with the Western Australian Government;
• $30 million for producers to support transition for farm businesses and $4 million for grower groups to support new on-farm extension services;
• $2.4 million in financial counselling services, $2.2 million for shearers to seek new employment opportunities and training, and $1.5 million to support the transport industry; and
• $5.8 million towards a long-term industry strategy, including $0.8 million to develop a strategy and $5 million towards funding projects developed in the strategy.

The live sheep export by sea trade was worth $411 million in 2002-03 and declined to $41 million in 2023-24. Sheep meat exports increased to a whopping $4.8 billion in 2023-24 and are set to grow further.

Full details of the assistance package are available at: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/livestock/live-sheep-exports-phase-out

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:

“This transition is industry-led, government enabled and the assistance package I am announcing today demonstrates this.  

“I want to thank WA sheep farmers and those in the supply chain for taking part in our co-design process.

“We have consulted with farmers and representative bodies to deliver the best possible investments for the industry as they move away from live sheep exports.

“As I have said before, our sheep industry is a proud and important part of our agricultural sector.

“The assistance package announced today will ensure WA sheep farmers benefit from new markets and the ever-growing export opportunities before us.”