Dairy Australia’s staff costs rise 9% amid restructure

Revenue from the dairy service levy, which processors deduct from payments to farmers for their milk, rose by 2.6% to A$31.5 million. The levy rate in 2025-26 was 2.93 cents per kilogram of milk fat and 7.13 cents per kilogram of protein. Government matching payments fell from A$28.4 million to A$26.9 million. The operating surplus was about A$2.55 million. Dairy Australia chairman Paul Roderick attributed it to higher milk production, which increased levy revenue, and the completion of several major projects. “While this year resulted in a surplus, the underlying financial pressures have not changed. Similar to our own costs on farm, Dairy Australia costs continue to rise,” he said.

Research, development and extension accounted for 85% of expenditure, at A$53.9 million, down from A$56.5 million a year earlier. Mark Billing, acting president of United Dairyfarmers of Victoria, expressed concern about the reduction in research spending. “We’d like to see more information on where DA will direct research spend next,” he said.