AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE ECONOMICS AND SCIENCES (ABARES)

Australians Unified – Agriculture, Environment & Resource Economics Division

ABARES is Australia’s national authority for agricultural, environmental, fisheries, forestry, and resource economics. It provides independent data, analysis, forecasting, and scientific insights that support government decision‑making, industry planning, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.

ABARES works with government agencies, industry, research institutions, and communities to ensure Australia’s agricultural and natural resource sectors remain productive, competitive, and environmentally sustainable.

 

OUR ROLE

ABARES exists to:

  • Deliver independent economic and scientific analysis

  • Provide national agricultural and resource forecasts

  • Support climate, water, and environmental policy

  • Strengthen biosecurity and natural resource management

  • Produce authoritative data for government and industry

  • Monitor global market trends and supply chains

  • Support sustainable agriculture and regional resilience

ABARES ensures Australia’s agricultural and resource sectors are informed, future‑ready, and globally competitive.

OUR STRENGTHS

Economic & Scientific Strengths

  • National leadership in agricultural and resource economics

  • Trusted forecasting and market analysis

  • Strong scientific capability across climate, water, and environment

  • Deep partnerships with industry and research bodies

  • High‑quality, transparent data and reporting

Sovereign Strengths

  • Independent, evidence‑based advice

  • Critical role in national food security and resource planning

  • Supports government policy across multiple portfolios

OUR WEAKNESSES

Structural Weaknesses

  • Ageing data systems and modelling platforms

  • Limited capacity for rapid economic scenario analysis

  • Fragmented datasets across jurisdictions

  • Slow modernisation of scientific infrastructure

  • Under‑resourced regional data collection

Operational Weaknesses

  • Rising complexity of climate and market volatility

  • Workforce shortages in specialist modelling roles

  • Limited outreach to regional and remote communities

  • Increasing demand for real‑time data

OUR THREATS

External Threats

  • Climate change and extreme weather

  • Global supply chain disruptions

  • Market volatility and geopolitical instability

  • Biosecurity risks and invasive species

Internal Threats

  • Resource constraints

  • Outdated modelling tools

  • Workforce fatigue and retention challenges

  • Limited surge capacity for crisis analysis

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

Strategic Opportunities

  • Modernise national agricultural and resource data systems

  • Expand climate and environmental modelling capability

  • Strengthen global market intelligence

  • Improve regional and First Nations engagement

  • Enhance national sustainability and resilience planning

Operational Opportunities

  • Recruit and retain specialist economists and scientists

  • Improve digital data platforms and analytics

  • Strengthen partnerships with universities and industry

  • Expand national field data collection

BETTER INTEGRATION WITH GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY & COMMUNITY

One national agricultural and resource intelligence system

Key Actions

  • Integrated data‑sharing platforms

  • Stronger partnerships with industry and research bodies

  • National community and regional engagement

  • Shared analytics and intelligence systems

Outcome: A more coordinated, community‑connected national data network.

 

5. A MORE SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT AUSTRALIA

Supporting long‑term prosperity and environmental stewardship

Key Actions

  • Climate and sustainability modelling

  • Regional resilience planning

  • Biosecurity and environmental risk analysis

  • Public transparency and open data

Outcome: A more sustainable, informed, and resilient nation.

THE FUTURE‑READY ABARES

A national blueprint for sustainable, data‑driven agricultural and resource planning

1. FASTER, MORE ACCURATE ECONOMIC & SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

Strengthening national forecasting capability

Key Actions

  • Modern digital modelling systems

  • Faster data integration and reporting

  • Improved climate and market forecasting tools

  • Strengthened coordination with agencies

Outcome: A more agile, responsive national analysis system.

 

2. STRONGER SOVEREIGN AGRICULTURAL & RESOURCE CAPABILITY

Building Australian capability for sustainability and resilience

Key Actions

  • Specialist modelling teams

  • National environmental and resource data platform

  • Strengthened oversight and governance

  • Expanded sustainability and climate analysis

Outcome: A more resilient, future‑focused agricultural and resource system.

 

3. A MODERN, RESILIENT ABARES WORKFORCE

Supporting the people who deliver national insights

Key Actions

  • Workforce wellbeing and retention programs

  • Specialist training pathways

  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives

  • Modern scientific and economic tools

Outcome: A strong, supported ABARES workforce.

CONDENSED YEARLY COSTING MODEL — ABARES

Baseline + Uplift Investment Framework

 

BASELINE FUNDING (Already Provided)

  • Core ABARES budget: $0.18B

  • Scientific research & modelling: $0.07B

  • Data systems & national reporting: $0.05B

Total Baseline Funding:

$0.30B per year

 

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Annual uplift: $0.25B – $0.35B 2‑year uplift total: $0.50B – $0.70B

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Annual uplift: $0.35B – $0.50B 3‑year uplift total: $1.05B – $1.50B

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Annual uplift: $0.45B – $0.60B 2‑year uplift total: $0.90B – $1.20B

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

Annual uplift: $0.60B – $0.80B 4‑year uplift total: $2.40B – $3.20B

 

TOTAL INVESTMENT SUMMARY

6‑YEAR TOTAL

  • Uplift: $2.45B – $3.40B

  • Baseline: $1.80B

Total 6‑Year Investment:

$4.25B – $5.20B

10‑YEAR TOTAL

  • Uplift: $4.85B – $6.60B

  • Baseline: $3.00B

Total 10‑Year Investment:

$7.85B – $9.60B