Access to affordable, secure housing is a major barrier to attracting and retaining workers in Victoria’s dairy regions, with growing impacts on businesses, communities and the long-term sustainability of the state’s $3 billion dairy industry.
In mid-2025, Gardiner Foundation launched a Housing and Accommodation initiative to better understand the scale of the challenge and identify practical solutions. As part of this work, Gardiner has partnered with Regional Housing Victoria and launched a short survey to gather insights from dairy farmers, processors and community members.
Tight rental markets, limited housing supply and rising costs are making it increasingly difficult to secure suitable accommodation for workers, placing pressure on employers and affecting workforce availability, productivity and community wellbeing.
Gardiner 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.”
The initiative reflects Gardiner’s commitment to thriving, resilient dairy communities. 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.
The Housing and Accommodation survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and closes Friday 20 February 2026.
To participate in the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TSGQ8TM
To participate in a consultation, visit: https://gardinerfoundation.com.au/community-development/consultations-housing-accommodation/