4627.0 - Land Management and Farming in Australia, 2012-13 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/06/2014   
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LAND USE ON FARMS



In 2012-13:
  • Approximately 52% of Australia's total land area was reported as agricultural holdings, a 2% decrease since 2011-12.
  • From a state perspective, the highest proportion of land managed by agricultural businesses was in Queensland (75% of state area), whilst Tasmania had the lowest proportion (24% of state area).
  • The majority of agricultural businesses were engaged in grazing activities (76%). Grazing was the most common agricultural activity in all states except South Australia, where cropping was the most common activity (68% of agricultural businesses in that state).
  • About 86% of Australian agricultural land was mainly used for grazing, with 11% on improved pasture and 75% on other agricultural land.
  • Agricultural businesses reported that nationally, 8% of agricultural land was mainly used for crops. At the state level, Victoria had the largest percentage of agricultural land mainly used for crops (37%), with New South Wales/ACT the next highest (15%).
LAND USE ON FARMS, Australia, year ended 30 June 2013

2012-13
Change since
2011-12 (a)
%
AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES AND LAND AREA
Agricultural businesses (no.)
128 917
-5
Area of agricultural holdings ('000 ha)
396 615
-2
Total land area ('000 ha)
769 202
LAND USE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ('000 ha)
Land use for agricultural production
Crops
31 611
-1
Grazing
340 164
-4
- Improved pasture
42 153
-17
- Other grazing land
298 011
-2
Forestry plantation
385
-10
Other agricultural purposes
70
-33
Land not used for agricultural purposes
Land set aside for conservation/protection purposes
7 222
-14
Other land not used for agricultural production
8 382
31

(a) 2011-12 figures for calculating percentage changes are sourced from Land Management and Farming in Australia, 2011-12 (cat.no. 4627.0)
Graph Image for Area of holding

Footnote(s): In 2006 the ABS changed the methodology used to identify agricultural businesses. For more information see Agricultural Commodities, Australia 2005-06 (cat. no. 7121.0)

Source(s): Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0)