NSW farmers offered rebates for safety-boosting drones

Farmers in New South Wales can now claim rebates on agricultural drones, with the State Government expanding its safety rebate scheme to improve work health and safety on farms.

Under the SafeWork NSW Small Business Rebate program, farmers can access up to $1,000 to help purchase eligible safety items, including drones. These can be used to monitor crops, water points, fences, and even muster livestock – reducing the need for high-risk vehicle use.

The initiative is part of a broader push to cut down on farm injuries and deaths. Since 2011, quad bikes have been linked to 63 fatalities in NSW – nearly half involving children – while side-by-side vehicles have caused another 21 deaths.

Agricultural drones are being promoted as a safer alternative to using quad bikes or tractors for routine checks and tasks, particularly in rugged or remote areas.

Earlier this year, NSW Ministers held a roundtable with farmers, unions and safety experts to discuss real-world risks and barriers to safer practices in the agricultural sector.

Since March last year, SafeWork NSW has delivered more than $800,000 in rebates for safety equipment, ranging from helmets and animal handling tools to radios and shearing equipment.