The National Farmers' Federation is pushing to break down the barriers for the long-term unemployed, indigenous Australians, disabled people and women to enable them to take up jobs and careers in farming.

The NFF has today issued its 'Pastoral Partnerships Project Discussion Paper' to promote debate on the issue.

"We're seeking input from all individuals and groups with an in-depth understanding of the employment issues facing these groups," NFF president David Crombie said.

"We're not experts in these specific areas, but we want to encourage all those who can work in agriculture to do so.

"Under this new initiative, we're looking for constructive advice and insights we can apply to agriculture's experience – pairing ideal career opportunities with the specific needs of those under-represented groups in the workforce, based on their needs and aspirations – to develop solutions we can take to Government."

According to the NFF, the Holmes Sackett FarmStaff 2008 survey reveals 73pc of people in agricultural jobs cite career opportunities as the motivation for their current positions, and almost a quarter (23pc) cite the vast career range and options available to them.

"Over and above the horticultural labour shortage for entry-level employees, agriculture is also facing a skills crisis – some 80,000 semi-skilled and skilled positions will be available as farms move out of drought conditions," Mr Crombie said.

"The Government's trial of our Pacific Island seasonal worker scheme is very much welcomed, but only one part of the overall jobs jigsaw puzzle."

Mr Crombie said the 22,000 vacant jobs in horticulture cannot be met just through Pacific Island labour, but accepted that the Australian workforce could not resolve the shortages on its own, even though there are 500,000 unemployed Australians.

"We'd be only too happy to give them a start, but this will take time and broad input to accomplish," he said.

"As with the Pacific Islands scheme, farmers are keen to work with new and existing employees to develop skills and provide opportunities for training – both on-the-job and formal qualifications – as a career path in agriculture."

* A copy of the Pastoral Partnerships Project Discussion Paper is available online at: www.nff.org.au/policy/workplace.html