For the second time, an independent survey has been conducted to measure the attitudes, understanding and use of autonomous farm machinery among broadacre grain producers throughout Australia.

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This builds on the 2025 baseline report, which identified affordability, digital connectivity and confidence in return on investment as key barriers to adoption.

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The latest results, published in April 2026, show a clear shift is underway. Adoption of autonomous and semi-autonomous machinery has increased from 27 per cent to 45 per cent of growers, with tractors and sprayers the most common entry point for use on farm. Interest in the technology is also strengthening, with 69 per cent of growers indicating they want to learn more, particularly through hands-on, field-based demonstrations.

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At the same time, the findings reinforce that key constraints remain. Cost continues to be the primary barrier to adoption, alongside proven return on investment and connectivity limitations, highlighting the need for practical pathways to support growers in adopting the technology at scale.

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This survey data is presented in Autonomous Farm Machinery use in Australia – a snapshot 2026 and forms part of an ongoing program to track adoption trends over time and support the safe and effective integration of autonomous machinery into Australian agriculture.

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This ongoing work is building a consistent national dataset to better understand how adoption is evolving and where industry and government efforts should be focused.

 

It complements the Code of Practice for Agricultural Mobile Field Machinery with Autonomous Functions in Australia, which presents an opportunity for industry to lead the adoption of this technology in a safe and practical way.

 

The Code of Practice has been developed with input from grain producers throughout Australia, with manufacturer support and technical input from Australia, the United States and the European Union. It is a proactive, industry-led initiative designed to support access to a rapidly developing technology that has the potential to deliver productivity gains for growers and across the supply chain.

 

The Code is designed to guide:

 

• Mobile machinery with semi-autonomous and autonomous functions used in agricultural field operations

• The development and evaluation of safe work procedures for use of this machinery

 

Examples of machinery within scope include operations such as planting, spraying, fertilising and harvesting in grain production systems.

 

Grain Producers Australia, the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia and the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia worked together to develop the Code of Practice and continue to lead its implementation through a joint program of work.

 

This program includes ongoing research, such as the national survey series, alongside industry engagement and demonstration activities to support practical adoption on farm.

 

Feedback from engagement with state governments has indicated that an industry-led approach provides the most effective pathway for adoption, with the Code positioned as a tool owned and applied by those using the technology.

 

The joint project between GPA, SPAA and TMA, including the drafting of the Code, has been led by farm technology expert Dr Rohan Rainbow. Its development drew on existing frameworks, including the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum’s Safe mobile autonomous mining in Western Australia – Code of Practice, adapted for agricultural application.

 

For further information please visit the following links: