Man’s best friend & Australia’s quiet economic powerhouse

A recent study by ANZ suggests that Australia’s farm dog workforce adds around $3 billion a year to the Australian economy, an amount similar to the value of Australia's beef exports to the US in 2023-24.

The report found labour savings make up the largest portion of that figure. With an estimated 270,000 livestock dogs across the country, the study suggests they save producers around $800 million annually in wages.

Additional savings come from lower fuel and vehicle use, with dogs able to cover rough terrain more efficiently than utes or bikes. That’s estimated to save another $100 million a year.

Beyond logistics, the dogs also improve animal welfare. Calmer handling by trained dogs leads to better lamb survival rates, improved meat quality, and cleaner wool – adding an estimated $150 million annually in value.

Dogs also help farmers increase capacity without needing more staff, boosting livestock output by around $250 million. Flow-on effects like lower consumer prices and growth in the pet and training industries add hundreds of millions more.

From improving safety and land value to supporting rural tourism and culture, the ANZ report reinstates what a lot of farmers out there would know – our Australian working dogs are central to both farm operations and the broader agricultural economy.