Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program

Benefits of hosting include:

• Having access to the national recruitment process run by QFF
• Boosting and enhancing your organisation's local extension capacity, bringing in new skills and knowledge from the training program
• Supporting organisational succession planning, allowing for knowledge transfer from experienced extension staff to work placement extension officers, including the option to retain the extension officer post the work placement program
• Developing your organisation's leadership capability with mentors receiving ongoing training and professional development throughout the program  , and widening your networks with other host organisations
• Being recognised as a leading organisation co-investing in the agriculture and natural resource management sector in your region

During the life of the project, host organisations have access to a QFF program manager who will guide and support the work placement extension officer and help them settle in the region. QFF will help organisations:

• Develop an Extension Officer Position Description shaped for your organisation's needs and capability and contractual arrangements
• Put in place a tailored  training plan for the 15 months
• Provide ongoing access to online training for mentors and trainees as a cohort, alongside tailored development opportunities for trainees based on their interests and industry specialisations.

Host businesses must be located in one of the following regions:

• Cape York
• Wet Tropics
• Burdekin
• Mackay Whitsunday
• Fitzroy
• Burnett Mary

Businesses must undertake activities relevant to the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan (Reef 2050 WQIP) to participate in the program. This includes offering extension services in land management, water quality, soil health and conservation, nutrient, pest management and advice on water quality monitoring and outcomes to landholders in the GBR catchments.

Host organisations will receive $60,000 towards the work placement extension officer's salary, and the project will cover other associated costs such as training and travel for the extension officer and the mentor.

Hosts are expected to provide a cash contribution to cover a portion of the extension officer's salary, as well as operational on-costs during the program. They must also ensure mentoring arrangements are in place for the duration of the work placement.

As a work placement extension officer you will complete a 15-month placement with an agribusiness or natural resource management host, starting in early 2027. During this period, you will:

• Develop your skills to deliver agricultural and natural resource management projects with landholders in the GBR catchments, developing expertise in one or more of the following areas:

Land management  •  Water quality •  Soil health and conservation  •  Nutrient and pest management  • Environmental monitoring

• Be supported by mentoring from experienced advisors and a tailored training program
• Have the opportunity to build professional and local networks with other extension officers, industry advisors and previous program participants
• Attend selected industry events and workshops including a cross-industry regional tour with the program cohort
• Improve your employability and work readiness for the future

Work placement positions are open to recent graduates from university and other institutions or those from other fields of expertise who wish to become an extension officer.

Additionally, to be eligible, you must:

• Be at the beginning of your career or a new entrant to the extension field with no more than one year of experience in extension or advisory services
• Have completed studies in Agriculture, Science or Environment (minimum Certificate IV)
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
• Hold a 'C class' driver's licence
• Be committed to participating in the program for the 15-month period in one of the following regions: Cape York, Wet Tropics, Burdekin, Fitzroy, Mackay Whitsunday or Burnett Mary – relocation allowance is built into the funding

The program is free for work placement extension officers to participate in.

Will I Be Paid?

Your salary will be between $60,000 – $70,000 per annum  In addition, you will receive a comprehensive professional development program, including access to industry events, workshops, training opportunities, site tours, and networking activities, with all associated program and travel costs fully funded.