News

New structure for DA

By Sophie Baldwin

Nov 4, 2026

Dairy Australia’s Matt Shaffer said recent structural changes will ultimately deliver for farmers.

Dairy Australia has confirmed changes to its organisational structure, designed to sharpen focus on delivering practical value for dairy farmers and strengthen how we work together across the organisation.

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The changes follow a review of how Dairy Australia is organised to deliver against its priorities for farmers and the broader dairy industry.

Our new structure is designed around four principles: focusing our effort where we can make the greatest difference; organising around the outcomes we need to deliver for industry; creating clearer accountability and decision-making; and working as one Dairy Australia.

Key changes include:

Strengthening the connection between research and on-farm impact, with clearer ownership of research priorities, a stronger farmer voice in R&D and closer links between research, extension and adoption.
Bringing our farmer-facing extension and engagement capability together, while aligning regional resources more closely to farmer need.
Connecting our people expertise, bringing together our internal People & Culture capability and the workforce support we provide to the dairy industry.
Bringing industry affairs, marketing and trade closer together, connecting evidence, policy, sustainability, market insight and promotion to strengthen Australian dairy’s influence, market opportunities and reputation.
Creating a dedicated planning and performance function, connecting strategy, data, technology and delivery to strengthen organisational performance.
Maintaining a focused finance function, providing strong financial stewardship, advice and oversight across Dairy Australia.

Chief executive officer Dr Matt Shaffer said the changes were ultimately about strengthening Dairy Australia’s ability to deliver for farmers.

“Our role is to deliver world-leading outcomes for dairy farmers that drive sustainable profitability through productivity.

“These changes are about making sure our people, expertise and investment are organised in the best way to deliver against that ambition - with clearer accountability, stronger connections across Dairy Australia and a continued focus on practical outcomes for farmers.”

The new structure will come into effect in November.

Dairy Australia will move through a period of transition as teams move into new reporting lines, vacant roles are filled and responsibilities and knowledge are transferred.

Dairy Australia remains focused on supporting farmers and delivering our commitments to the dairy industry throughout the transition.