The state government has today announced a $6 million subsidy scheme to help farmers make their quad bikes safer.
The announcement was made at the Victorian Farmers Federation annual conference in Melbourne today.
The scheme provides rebates to farmers to either fit rollover protection devices on existing quad bikes or help them purchase an alternative safer vehicle.
In 2015, there were 22 quad bike fatalities across Australia (6 in Victoria, 4 each in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales, 3 in Tasmania, and 1 in the Northern Territory).
There have been a further two quad bike deaths in Victoria this year.
The Victorian Farmers Federation applauded the funding announcement.
VFF President Peter Tuohey said that "this funding is a major breakthrough in protecting farmers' lives."
"It's an unacceptable toll and it's great the Victorian Government has taken action."
WorkSafe's Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, said that the rebate scheme is designed to encourage farmers to take action.
"This rebate scheme is designed to encourage farmers to fit an appropriate rollover protection device, or consider buying another vehicle so that they, their families and their workers can stay safe," Ms Williams said.
"We have no doubt that this will save lives."
Ms Williams also said that WorkSafe was also working on a risk assessment tool to assist quad bike users to identify hazards associated with quad bike use.
Premier Daniel Andrews, in making the announcement, recognised the injuries and deaths which have resulted from quad bike accidents.
"This is about saving lives and we encourage every eligible farmer to make use of this rebate and stay safe," Mr Andrews said.
Eligible farmers will be offered up to $600 each for up to two quad bikes to fit rollover protection (known as an operator protection device, or OPD), or $1200 towards the cost of buying a more appropriate work vehicle.
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