Michele Lawrence and Bruce Donnison will join six others from across the country to recommend options for transformational change, which will form part of the plan's report to be published by the end of the year.

Reform of current dairy industry structure and advocacy arrangements was highlighted as a priority issue at regional workshops held across Australia and at a national workshop held on July 30/31.

Australian Dairy Plan independent chair John Brumby said there was a great need for a dedicated team to advise on industry structures.

"The number one issue during Dairy Plan consultation meetings was reform of current industry structure and advocacy arrangements. In response we've established a dedicated taskforce to recommend options for transformational change.

"We opened up the application process for membership of this taskforce, to ensure that anyone with relevant experience had the opportunity to be considered. We received more than thirty applications, all of an extremely high standard. From these applications, we've appointed a strong team which can bring an enormous amount to this process along with an independent view.

"Ensuring that dairy has the most effective, agile and well-resourced structure is an absolutely crucial element for us to get right. We can learn from other industries which have successfully reformed their organisational structures.

"We all agree on the potential for dairy to speak more clearly with a strong and unified voice, to direct combined resources to industry priorities, to be more nimble in addressing challenges, to be more streamlined and remove duplication."

A summary of key outcomes from the national workshop of the Australian Dairy Plan can be found here.