National Centre for Farmer Health

What National Centre for Farmer Health does

National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) is an Australian non-profit organization, founded in 2008 and operated as a specialized unit within Western District Health Service in Hamilton, Victoria. It is dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and safety of farmers, their families, and farming communities, with a particular focus on rural and remote populations that face elevated rates of cardiovascular disease, mental health challenges (farmers die by suicide at up to twice the rate of the general Australian population), and occupational hazards. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs including clinical services (AgriSafe clinics, Health and Lifestyle Assessments), mental health initiatives (Back on Track peer-guided program, Mental Health 4 Ag, ifarmwell, Campfire platform), and educational offerings (Sustainable Farm Families, Shifting Gears, Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety, a Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Health and Medicine). Digital tools include the Farmer HAT health assessment tool and downloadable planning resources.

The organization has reached more than 20,000 people across 130+ grassroots community initiatives through its Look Over the Farm Gate program alone, and is expanding from a Victorian base into multi-state delivery via a five-year Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant. NCFH's technology footprint is limited to digital assessment tools, online toolkits, podcasts, and a small e-commerce shop — it does not develop proprietary technology platforms. Its revenue model is grant-dependent: substantial funding from the Victorian Government ($900,000 committed in May 2025), the Australian Government's MRFF, Agriculture Victoria's Drought Support Package, and the Gardiner Foundation, supplemented by tax-deductible donations routed through Western District Health Service, modest educational program fees, and product sales (books and PDFs priced $10–$25).

NCFH's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, combining direct in-field program delivery, community grants, workshops, podcasts, social media, and partnerships with academic institutions (five Australian universities), government agencies, and agricultural industry bodies. The center also operates internationally through memorandums of understanding, with documented activity in Indonesia.

Name

National Centre for Farmer Health

Legal name

Western District Health Service

Website

https://farmerhealth.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Centre for Farmer Health is an Australian non-profit within Western District Health Service that delivers health, wellbeing, and safety programs to farmers, farming families, and rural communities through clinical services, mental health initiatives, and educational offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural and Agricultural Health Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG / Carbon & Conservation Program Advisory (AFACAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor) (AFACAJAE), Agricultural Production & Farm Operations (EDAOAOAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural health programs
• Rural mental health
• Farmer wellbeing services
• Farm safety education
• Occupational health clinics

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: NCFH receives ongoing government funding from Victorian Government and other sources to deliver farmer health programs and research initiatives. The organization was awarded $900,000 from the Victorian Government and received MRFF grants for specific programs.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations through Western District Health Service, with donations over $2 being tax deductible. Donation amounts range from $5 to over $1,000, with transformational gifts and bequests also sought.
3. Educational Services and Scholarships: NCFH offers postgraduate education including Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Health and Medicine (HMF701/HMF702), with scholarship programs available for eligible students.
4. Publications and Products: Sale of educational books and resources including the SnapshotRuralVic coffee table book ($25) and Sowing the Seeds of Farmer Health PDF ($10).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Centre for Farmer Health delivers clinical health assessments (AgriSafe™ clinics, Health and Lifestyle Assessments), mental health programs (Back on Track peer-guided support, Mental Health 4 Ag, ifarmwell toolkit, Campfire platform), farm safety education (Shifting Gears, Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety™), community grants (Look Over the Farm Gate), and postgraduate education (Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Health and Medicine). The organization sells educational publications and accepts donations to support farmer health programs across rural and remote Australia.

Product overview

The National Centre for Farmer Health offers a portfolio of health, wellbeing and safety programs for farmers and rural communities. The core offerings include clinical services (AgriSafe™ clinics, Health and Lifestyle Assessments), mental health initiatives (Back on Track peer-guided program, Mental Health 4 Ag, ifarmwell online toolkit, Campfire platform), and educational programs (Sustainable Farm Families™, Shifting Gears, Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety™, Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Health and Medicine). Digital tools include the Farmer HAT health assessment tool and Steering Straight planning resource. Community support programs include Look Over The Farm Gate grants and various toolkits (Farmer Wellbeing, Mind Maintenance, Tackling the Tough Topics). The organization also publishes educational resources including books and the SnapshotRuralVic coffee table book. The product portfolio operates as interconnected programs rather than a unified software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AgriSafe™: Agricultural health and safety program providing clinics and health services for farmers and agricultural workers.
• Sustainable Farm Families™
• Farmer HAT (Health Assessment Tool)
• Back on Track
• Campfire
• ifarmwell
• Shifting Gears
• Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety™
• Mental Health 4 Ag
• Look Over the Farm Gate
• Farmer Wellbeing Toolkit
• Mind Maintenance Toolkit
• #SnapshotRuralVic

Products and services

• AgriSafe A clinical health service program providing specialized health assessments, screenings, and interventions for farmers and agricultural workers to address occupational health risks.
• Health and Lifestyle Assessment Health and lifestyle screening program delivered in rural and remote areas, providing farmers with health checks and wellness evaluations.
• Back on Track A peer-guided mental health initiative where trained local farming community members (coaches) provide practical and targeted support to farmers experiencing low mood or depression, using Behavioural Activation techniques.
• ifarmwell (Online Farmer Toolkit) An online mental health and wellbeing toolkit providing digital resources to help farmers manage stress and maintain mental health.
• Campfire Platform An engaging, solution-focused online community platform for farmers to proactively improve workplace systems in support of mentally healthy workplaces, featuring podcasts and resources.
• Farmer HAT (Health Assessment Tool) A digital health assessment tool enabling farmers to evaluate their health status and identify areas for improvement.
• Sustainable Farm Families An education program focused on improving the health, wellbeing and safety of farming families through facilitated learning and health interventions.
• Shifting Gears A teacher-led farm safety education program for students providing audiovisual resources, interactive activities, and discussion guides. Includes a new Hearing Safety in Agriculture module developed with Deafness Forum Australia.
• Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety Farm safety education program designed to prepare young people for agricultural work and health risks.
• Mental Health 4 Ag Mental health program specifically designed to address the psychological wellbeing needs of the agricultural community.
• Look Over The Farm Gate – Community Grants Victorian Government-funded program supporting farming communities to design and deliver locally tailored events that strengthen social connection and wellbeing. Provides grants up to $5,000 for community events.
• Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine Postgraduate university qualification offered in partnership, providing education in agricultural health and medicine. Includes HMF701 and HMF702 units with scholarship opportunities available.
• Steering Straight: My Plan to Keep on Track Downloadable mental health planning tool to help farmers stay on track during challenging or stressful times.
• SnapshotRuralVic Coffee Table Book 84-page coffee table book showcasing entries from the #SnapshotRuralVic social media campaign documenting rural Victorian life during COVID-19 lockdowns. Priced at $25 inc GST with $10 postage.
• Sowing the Seeds of Farmer Health PDF 240-page PDF book documenting presentations from the 2012 NCFH Conference, providing educational content on agricultural health, wellbeing and safety. Published by VURRN Press at $10 inc GST.
• Donations to NCFH Tax-deductible donation program accepting contributions from $5 to $1,000 (and custom amounts above $1,000) to support NCFH programs, research and farmer health initiatives. All donations over $2 are tax deductible and GST exempt.
• Digital Storytelling Workshops Workshop program empowering rural community members, particularly women, to share their health stories through digital media.
• The Ripple Effect Research initiative examining the intersection of agricultural practices and farmer health outcomes.
• Primary Producer Knowledge Network Knowledge network connecting primary producers with resources and information to support farm health and safety.
• Safer Spaces Program focused on creating safer working environments for farmers.
• JointFit Personalized joint health program offered in partnership with Beyond The Clinic to help farmers reduce pain, improve movement and prevent joint issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 130 grassroots initiatives delivered to more than 20,000 people in farming communities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deafness Forum AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership to add hearing health module to the Shifting Gears farm safety education program, providing expertise on hearing protection for young people in agricultural communities.
• La Trobe UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Research partner in the Back on Track program, providing academic expertise and clinical support alongside other universities including Deakin, UniSA and Edith Cowan.
• Beyond The ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to offer JointFit - a personalized joint health program helping farmers reduce pain, move better and avoid injury.
• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Research collaboration on the Campfire project, contributing expertise in mental health and wellbeing research for primary producers alongside NCFH and other university partners.
• University of South AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic partner in the Campfire mental health initiative, providing research expertise for the co-design and evaluation of the online mental health platform.
• Cath Cosgrave ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-design consultant partner contributing to the development of the Campfire prevention-focused mental health and wellbeing platform for primary producers.
• Deakin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021University partner supporting the Campfire project with research expertise, contributing to the development of mental health resources for farming communities.
• Edith Cowan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic partner in the Back on Track research team providing clinical expertise and research support for the peer-guided mental health program evaluation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Beyond Blue: Major Australian mental-health organisation with a dedicated rural and agricultural programs stream; comparable to NCFH in mental-health service delivery to farming communities, but operating as a much larger incumbent across all populations.
• Royal Flying Doctor Service: Australia's most recognised rural and remote healthcare provider; overlaps NCFH in delivering clinical and preventive health services to farmers and rural communities across very large geographies, but with a much broader clinical mandate.
• Lifeline Australia: National crisis-support and suicide-prevention service with rural outreach; comparable to NCFH as part of the wider ecosystem addressing farmer mental health and suicide risk across Australia.
• Black Dog Institute: Australian mental health research and clinical services organisation with rural and farmer-facing digital programs; overlaps NCFH in research translation and digital mental health tools for primary producers, at greater scale.

Direct peers

• Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies): UK charity delivering farm safety education and mental wellbeing programs to young farmers; directly mirrors NCFH's Shifting Gears and Gear Up for Ag Health & Safety education streams in a different geography.
• AgriSafe Network: US-based non-profit delivering clinical occupational health services and education to agricultural producers; the closest international counterpart to NCFH's AgriSafe clinical program and Health and Lifestyle Assessments, operating with a near-identical service model.
• R U OK?: Australian suicide prevention charity that runs national mental-health awareness campaigns and explicitly tailors materials for farming and rural audiences; closely comparable to NCFH's Mental Health 4 Ag and Back on Track awareness work.
• National Rural Health Alliance: Australian peak body representing rural and remote health stakeholders; comparable to NCFH in advocating and coordinating health service delivery for farming and rural communities, including through research translation and policy work.
• Rural Health Workforce Australia: Australian organisation focused on rural health workforce, training and service delivery; comparable to NCFH in enabling rural and remote health service capacity, including through training programs and field-based support.

Others

• National Farmers' Federation: Australia's peak farmer advocacy body; while not a health provider, it is a key stakeholder, partner and funder counterpart to NCFH in shaping farmer-health policy and program reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ncfarmerhealth
• Instagraminstagram.com/farmer_health
• Xx.com/FarmerHealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-centre-for-farmer-health

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Centre for Farmer Health