WA Roadmap to 2028 | The Future Flock

The WA Roadmap to 2028 is helping Western Australia’s sheep industry define its next chapter.

The WA Roadmap to 2028 is a forward-looking plan to guide Western Australia’s sheep industry through one of its biggest periods of transformation - the transition away from live sheep exports by sea.

Grounded in strong economic analysis, the WA Roadmap to 2028 will draw on past consultation and work to look openly at the challenges and opportunities ahead. The Roadmap will shape a clear, practical path for growth, innovation and sustainability across WA’s sheep industry.

If you’re part of Western Australia’s sheepmeat and wool industries – breeding, finishing, trading, processing, shearing, transporting, financing, advising or researching – this WA Roadmap to 2028 is for you.

Change is coming – tackling it together helps shape the future the industry wants for the next generation.

Built with industry, for industry - the WA Roadmap to 2028 will give producers, processors and industry partners the knowledge and confidence to make the right calls for the future.

The WA Strategic Steering Group - appointed by the independent Transition Advocate - will lead industry consultation and shape the WA Roadmap to 2028.

The Strategic Steering Group will work with the supply chain to identify the state’s specific challenges, priorities and opportunities to ensure a strong, sustainable and profitable future for producers and regional communities.

While the WA Roadmap to 2028 will complement The Future Flock, it remains a distinct, state-specific plan – reflecting WA’s priorities into the national strategy, while the national plan provides a framework that supports WA’s unique actions and investments.

The WA Roadmap to 2028 will:

Develop

Develop an industry-led strategy underpinned by robust economic analysis for Western Australia’s sheep industry - and nationally through The Future Flock - in the wake of the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea from 1 May 2028.

Build

Build confidence and long-term direction for WA’s sheepmeat and wool industries as they transition away from live export.

Support

Support producers, processors and farm service businesses and their communities to plan growth, innovation, and sustainability across the supply chain.

Unite

Ensure sheep producers are actively involved in shaping and supporting the implementation of the strategy.

Strengthen

Strengthen Western Australia’s role within an integrated national sheep supply chain, connecting state priorities with national opportunities.

Co-funded & delivered by

Co-funded by

The WA Roadmap to 2028 and The Future Flock is a co-investment between the Australian Government and Sheep Producers Australia, drawing on partnerships throughout the supply chain.

Sheep Producers Australia has been trusted by producers and industry stakeholders to deliver industry initiatives, including stewardship of the Sheep Industry Strategic Plans (1995–2020). These provided sector-wide focus and enabled real collaboration and results.

This is a chance for Australia’s sheep industry to shape its future—building resilience, profitability and unity for decades.

Why now

Now is the time to plan for what comes next. The development of the WA Roadmap to 2028 will guide the transformation of Western Australia’s sheep industry as it prepares for the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea from 1 May 2028. The Roadmap will be underpinned by robust economic analysis to identify practical, profitable and sustainable pathways forward - supporting producers, processors and communities to adapt, innovate and thrive. It’s about turning change into opportunity and ensuring WA’s sheep sector remains strong, confident and globally competitive well into the future.

What will it deliver

Ultimately, success means a strong, profitable and connected WA sheep industry - one that’s ready for the future, proud of its progress, and confident in its direction. The WA Roadmap to 2028 will chart the course to keep Western Australia leading in quality sheepmeat and wool production into the future.

How it works

The WA Roadmap to 2028 will be drawing on previous industry and state-based consultations, reports and work – no one will be reinventing the wheel.

In addition, The Future Flock online surveys will feed into the Roadmap as well as on ground consultation by the Strategic Steering Group.

Bringing together industry insight and economic analysis, the Roadmap will set a clear direction for Western Australia’s sheep industry and its place within the national sheepmeat and wool sectors.

Who’s involved

The WA Roadmap to 2028 will be led by the Transition Advocate and Strategic Steering Group to ensure the state’s needs are properly addressed in the plan while making sure they are also linked to The Future Flock national strategy.
Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) is delivering the WA Roadmap to 2028 and The Future Flock. Both projects are a co-investment between SPA and the Australian Government.
A National Strategic Advisory Panel, appointed via an open EOI process, will provide strategic guidance for The Future Flock in conjunction with the SPA Board.