Tight rental markets, limited housing supply and rising costs are making it increasingly difficult to secure suitable accommodation for workers.
The lack of accommodation places further pressure on employers and affects workforce availability, with growing impacts on businesses, communities and the long-term sustainability of the state’s $3 billion dairy industry.
While housing pressures are not unique to dairy regions, their impacts are often amplified in small rural towns, with flow-on effects for employers, local economies and regional growth.
Gardiner Foundation CEO Allan Cameron said housing challenges could not be addressed by any single sector alone.
“Access to housing is deeply connected to workforce participation, liveability and the long-term prosperity of dairy regions,” Mr Cameron said.
“Gardiner Foundation is an independent, long-term investor in Victoria’s dairy industry and communities, this initiative seeks to bring people together and explore practical, scalable solutions that will work in Victoria’s dairy regions.
“This survey is a critical first step. We want to hear directly from those living and working in dairy communities about what is working, what is not and where opportunities exist.”
To better understand the scale of the issue and find practical solutions, Gardiner Foundation has partnered with Regional Housing Victoria.
The organisations have launched a survey to gather insights from dairy farmers, processors and community members.
The short survey is part of a wider housing and accommodation initiative launched by Gardiner Foundation in mid-2025.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and closes Friday, February 20.
Participants can also schedule a consultation with Regional Housing Victoria representatives.
To participate in the survey, visit https://tinyurl.com/4s5n4wyb
To book a consultation, visit https://tinyurl.com/56pmtj4d
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