More about the Program

Each year AgriFutures sponsors two participants from an AgriFutures levied or emerging industry to apply for the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s (ARLF) Australian Rural Leadership Program.

Two industry participants will apply to ARLF and be sponsored by AgriFutures to attend the program, valued at $60,500 per position – one from an AgriFutures Levied Industry and another from an Emerging Industry.

The program initiates structured pathways for leadership development. The ARLP is delivered over 15 months across multiple sessions including four face-to-face sessions across the country and internationally.

Participants will learn to:

• Understand self and others, including behaviour, values, motivations, and cognitive biases to develop a personal leadership plan.
• Respond to changing contexts and mobilising others to act in rural, regional and remote Australia.
• Experience and understand leadership in an international context, including cultural differences, global perspectives, and cross-cultural communication.
• Engage in activities that present complexity, disruption, and ambiguity, and encourage risk-taking, creativity, courage, and celebrating mistakes.
• Develop communication and deep listening skills to fully appreciate and understand the diversity of multiple perspectives.
• Experience conflict and productively work toward resolutions for economic, social, cultural and/or environmental benefit.
• Utilise mentoring, coaching, and reflection as part of leadership practice.
• Engage with and become part of a broad network of authentic and ethical leaders working for the greater good of Australia’s regions, as well as globally.

In addition to this formal course outline, our participants have access to a diverse, national alumni network of over 2,500 rural, regional and remote leaders.

Annual course intake is between June & August. Expressions of interest are open all year round.

Find out more about the ARLP

Locations and Duration

Please note dates and locations are subject to change.

Applications

Before you apply

You’ll need to be able to commit to 15 months of sessions, which will take place across Australia and overseas. The ARLF recommends you speak with your family and your employer before you apply. They need to understand exactly the commitment you’re making and be supportive of the time you’ll be investing.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit an application form including the following:

• Relevant personal information and contact details
• Details of your current employment and education status
• Examples of your leadership responsibilities and other achievements
• Details of other leadership development programs you have undertaken
• Why you wish to undertake the ARLP and the impact you wish to have on rural, regional and remote Australia as a result
• Uploading of a video (no longer than 2 minutes) to support your application (optional).
• Referee information

Applicants must also complete a formal interview by a panel which may include ARLF staff and alumni. The unique feature of having our ARLP alumni interview applicants adds a nuanced and experienced level of insight and questioning of the applicants. At the completion of interviews, the ARLF matches highly ranked applicants with available scholarships.

Cohorts are announced every February and the program runs from June until September the following year. Expressions of interest are open year round.

Register your interest with the ARLF