About the Advisory Panels
In partnership with AgriFutures Australia, Advisory Panels provide recommendations on the allocation of research, development and extension (RD&E) funding for AgriFutures levied industry programs.
The core function of AgriFutures Advisory Panels is to ensure that RD&E investment remains industry-demand driven, including:
- Advising on industry requirements for investment through the development and monitoring of RD&E plans.
- Providing recommendations to AgriFutures on suitable RD&E opportunities and activities to address industry issues.
- Providing feedback and investment advice on RD&E proposals to ensure investment is aligned to priorities in RD&E plans.
- Advising and assisting in the dissemination, adoption, and commercialisation of RD&E activities.
- Program activities are funded by industry levy and Commonwealth funds, and any funds contributed from third parties.
Current Opportunities
Honey Bee & Pollination Program
Applications are now open for commercial honey producers, commercial pollinators and researchers to join the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel.
AgriFutures Australia is currently seeking to appoint four new members to the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel.
These positions are open to industry participants, including commercial honey producers, commercial pollinators, and researchers working in honey bee or related fields. Applicants with skills or experience in research and development management, and extension or training are also strongly encouraged to apply. While not essential, demonstrated governance and financial management experience will be highly regarded.
About the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program
The AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program invests in research that ensures a productive, sustainable and profitable beekeeping industry and secures the pollination of Australia’s horticultural and agricultural crops. The Program focuses on supporting the longevity of the honey bee and pollination industry in Australia with four priority areas:
- Improve hive productivity with innovative pest and disease control, feeding, breeding, and automation solutions
- Improve pollination, floral resource access and industry sustainability
- Enhance industry capability
- Deliver quality Australian honey with well characterised attributes and traceability.
About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel brings together a diverse mix of leading researchers, commercial beekeepers, pollination service providers and industry advisors, offering deep expertise across honey bee genetics, health, nutrition, pollination, commercial production and applied research to support informed decision‑making for the Program.
In partnership with AgriFutures , the Advisory Panel provides recommendations on the allocation of RD&E funding for the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program.
AgriFutures aims to maintain geographical, age and gender diversity to ensure that the Advisory Panel appropriately represents the honey bee and pollination industry.
Advisory Panel member roles & responsibilities
The core functions of AgriFutures Industry Advisory Panels are to ensure that RD&E investment remains industry-demand driven, including:
- Advising – providing advice on the industry requirements for investment through the development and monitoring of Strategic RD&E Plans
- Identifying – providing recommendations to AgriFutures on suitable RD&E opportunities and activities to address industry issues
- Aligning – providing feedback and investment advice on RD&E proposals submitted to AgriFutures to ensure investment is aligned to priorities in the respective Program’s Strategic RD&E Plan
- Awareness –advising and assisting in the dissemination, adoption and commercialisation of RD&E activities.
Activities of the Program are funded by industry levy and Commonwealth funds, and any funds contributed from third parties. Advisory Panel members are recompensed for their services to AgriFutures at rates determined by the Commonwealth’s Remuneration Tribunal. Panel members may be required for up to 25 days per year and some travel is necessary.
Selection criteria:
- Industry experience and desire to contribute to the industry
- Understanding of industry research priorities
- Strategic leadership and governance skills
- Ability to contribute to AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel
Find out more about the AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program Advisory Panel
This exciting opportunity is open to commercial honey producers, commercial pollinators and researchers who are not currently engaged in AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program funded research. Prospective applicants should carefully consider the time commitment required to effectively contribute as an Advisory Panel member prior to submitting an application. This is a valuable opportunity for the next generation of industry leaders to play an active role in shaping the future of the Australian honey bee and pollination sector.
To support continuity of knowledge and ensure a diversity of skills and perspectives, appointments will be staggered between August 2026 and November 2026. Successful applicants may also be invited to attend an Advisory Panel meeting as an observer prior to their official commencement.
How to apply
Applications are now open and close 12pm (AEST) Monday, 20 July 2026 – 12pm AEST.
Applicants are required to complete the application form, skills matrix and attach their CV (no longer than three pages) via the online application system. As part of the application process applicants will be required to outline relevant experience in the Australian agricultural sector and expected contribution to the Advisory Panel. You are required to consider the time requirements of an effective Advisory Panel member are taken into consideration prior to applying.
For more information regarding the desired skill set for the Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel position
Apply now
For more information please contact:
Luke Evans
Program Manager, Levied Industries
AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program
Nutrition specialists wanted: Applications now open for AgriFutures Chicken Meat Advisory Panel
The AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program currently has one position open to join the Chicken Meat Program Advisory Panel.
This exciting opportunity is open to chicken meat industry professionals with an interest in contributing to the productivity and sustainability of Australia’s chicken meat industry.
AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program is looking for applicants that have skills and expertise in poultry nutrition.
This is an opportunity for passionate industry members to engage in the Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) program and help to deliver high impact research for the Australian chicken meat industry.
To ensure continuity of Advisory Panel knowledge, encourage a diverse mix of skills, and maintain balanced commercial representation, appointments for successful applicants will be made in 2026. Successful applicants may also be invited to observe Advisory Panel meetings before their official start date. This is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of chicken meat industry leaders to get involved.
You are required to consider the time requirements of an effective Advisory Panel member are taken into consideration prior to applying.
For more information regarding the desired skill set for the Chicken Meat Advisory Panel positions
How to apply
Applicants are required to complete the application form and attach their CV (no longer than three pages) via the online application system.
As part of the application process applicants will be required to outline relevant experience in the chicken meat industry and expected contribution to the Advisory Panel.
Submissions close Monday, 4 May 2026 at 1pm (AEDT).
For any questions regarding the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Advisory Panel recruitment please contact:
Amanda Olthof
Senior Manager
About the Advisory Panel
In partnership with AgriFutures Australia, the Advisory Panel provides recommendations on the allocation of RD&E funding for the AgriFutures Industry Programs.
AgriFutures aims to maintain geographical, age and gender diversity to ensure that the Advisory Panel appropriately represents the chicken meat industry.
The core functions of AgriFutures Advisory Panels are to ensure that RD&E investment remains industry-demand driven, including:
- Advising – providing advice on the industry requirements for investment through the development and monitoring of Strategic RD&E Plans
- Identifying – providing recommendations to AgriFutures on suitable RD&E opportunities and activities to address industry issues
- Aligning – providing feedback and investment advice on RD&E proposals submitted to AgriFutures to ensure investment is aligned to priorities in the respective Program’s Strategic RD&E Plan
- Awareness – representing the industry to advise and assist in the dissemination, adoption, and commercialisation of RD&E activities.
Activities of the Program are funded by industry levy and Commonwealth funds, and any funds contributed from third parties.
Advisory Panel members are paid for their services to AgriFutures at rates set by the Commonwealth’s Remuneration Tribunal.
Advisory Panel members may be required for up to 25 days per year and some domestic travel is necessary.
AgriFutures Ginger Program
Passionate agronomists and ginger growers wanted: Applications now open for AgriFutures Ginger Advisory Panel
AgriFutures Australia currently has two positions open to join the AgriFutures Ginger Advisory Panel.
We are looking for:
- agronomists, preferably with experience in root vegetable and soil science, to provide a holistic understanding of the ginger grower region and contribute to discussions on key issues and existing gaps in management
- ginger growers with small to medium production areas, preferably with experience in governance aspects, to add to the diversity of ginger growers currently on the Advisory Panel.
As a small tight-knit grower community, this is an exciting opportunity for successful applicants to actively contribute to the profitability and longevity of the ginger industry.
About the AgriFutures Ginger Program
The AgriFutures Ginger Program aims to support a sustainable, growing and prosperous industry. The Program focuses on ensuring a continued premium for Australian ginger with four key objectives:
- High quality product and sustainable production systems
- Market opportunities
- Technology and innovation
- Industry engagement.
The AgriFutures Ginger Program RD&E Plan identifies and balances the research, development and extension priorities and outcomes to promote industry productivity, profitability and sustainability.
About the Ginger Advisory Panel
The Ginger Advisory Panel consists of growers, researchers and industry representatives with a range of skills and experience in the ginger industry. Learn more about the panel here.
How to apply
Applicants are required to complete the application form, skills matrix and attach their CV via the online application system. Please contact to receive the application link.
For more information please contact:
Amy La
Manager, Levied Industries
or 0447 453 254
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a current advisory panel for my industry?
AgriFutures maintains Advisory Panels for the following industries:
- Chicken Meat
- Export Fodder
- Ginger
- Goat Fibre
- Honey Bee & Pollination
- Pasture Seeds
- Tea Tree Oil
- Thoroughbred Horses.
We also maintain the:
- Emerging Industry Consultative Committee (EICC): The EICC provides strategic assistance and advice on matters including investment prioritisation, annual operational plans, governance and compliance, risk mitigation strategies and conflicts of interest.
- Emerging Industry Technical Advisory Group (TAG): The TAG provides technical investment advice and recommendations on stakeholder project procurements, applications and outputs.
A full list of current advisory panels, including biographies for chairs and members, is available below.
How are members of the Advisory Panels selected?
We aim to maintain geographical, age and gender diversity to ensure that the Advisory Panel appropriately represents the industry. Members are selected through an open call process, which includes a competitive skills-based assessment and consultations with key industry bodies and stakeholders. Applicants are also required to declare any actual or perceived conflict of interest prior to appointment. Successful applicants are appointed by the Managing Director of AgriFutures Australia.
How long is the term for Advisory Panel members?
The initial term of appointment is three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms applicable to any member. However, members may be retained beyond two terms to ensure the availability of scarce expertise.
To maintain corporate knowledge, only up to half the membership of an Advisory Panel is changed at any one time.
Are Advisory Panel members compensated?
Advisory Panel members are recompensed for their services to AgriFutures Australia at rates determined by the Commonwealth’s Remuneration Tribunal. More information about panel remuneration can be found in the AgriFutures Industry Advisory Panel Terms of Reference, on our Corporate Governance page.
Current 2024-25 FY (effective from 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2025)
Companies
Sitting Fee (exc. GST) |
Panel Chair Rate (exc. GST) |
Panel Member Rate |
Meeting day over 3 hours |
$862.00 |
$776.00 |
Meeting day between 2 and 3 hours |
$517.20 |
$465.60 |
Meeting day less than 2 hours |
$344.80 |
$310.40 |
Non-meeting day per hour up to 5 hours |
$172.40 |
$155.20 |
Individuals
How do Advisory Panels operate?
You can find the Code of Conduct and Terms of Reference for AgriFutures Australia Advisory Panels on our on our Corporate Governance page. These documents provide an overview of how the Panels work.
Can I make an expression of interest for any future recruitment?
We recommend subscribing to your relevant Industry Updates mailing list, so you will be notified when panel recruitment begins for your industry.
Note: Please fill out out your contact details in the form then click next to see all available mailing lists.
Are existing service providers with current AgriFutures funding contracts eligible to serve on the RD&E Panel?
Everyone is welcome to apply and serve on the RD&E Panel. Our preference is to minimise conflicts of interest.