AgConnections – Skilled Agricultural Work Liaison pilot program

Overview

The Australian Government is inviting Australian universities, through a targeted competitive process, to apply for grant funding for the AgConnections – Skilled Agricultural Work Liaison pilot program, to be developed and delivered over 2 calendar years (2025 and 2026). The agricultural workforce is often only considered to be those who work on farms. However, agriculture production has critical value chain connections to other industries and there is a large number of people who support it, work within in it and/or operate an agricultural enterprise, including: agronomy or veterinary services related to the maintenance of crops and animals business services such as accounting, legal, agricultural advisory or marketing processing activities that aid the conversion of raw materials to foods that can be consumed such as milk testing and processing movement and storage of agricultural products such as transport and warehousing research, development, extension and adoption services innovation, digital, science, engineering, and technology services for biosecurity, traceability, sustainability and safety communication, strategic planning, data analysis, management, and leadership. Successful applicants will develop and implement an agriculture sector-specific liaison program collaborating with the agricultural industry and agribusinesses/farm businesses to facilitate internship and work-based learning opportunities for students with the aim of increasing the number of skilled students entering the sector. The program will also develop and promote opportunities for university students from priority cohorts, including First Nations People and women, to connect with the agriculture industry to increase diversity and participation in the industry.