Five adults, three women and two men, stand in a brightly lit office space in rural Australia having a friendly conversation. Dressed in business attire, they appear engaged and smiling, with large windows visible in the background.

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program

 

AgriFutures Australia is committed to supporting the people who are driving, and will drive, the future prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities. We do this by investing in leadership, capacity and skills development programs for our stakeholders.

 

The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is a for-purpose organisation that’s been making strides in rural, regional and remote communities across Australia through the development of courageous and authentic leadership. AgriFutures is offering stakeholders the opportunity to participate in the ARLF Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program with all course fees covered.

 

Applications for 2027 will open in mid-2026.

About the Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program

Designed for: Agribusiness professionals.
Course commencement date: TBC
Duration: Two sessions of 11 days each
Location: Delivered face-to-face in a residential program setting (2 different locations TBC)

The Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program (AALP) is creating a thriving agribusiness industry, starting with the great leadership. The AALP is delivered face-to-face for 11 days over 2 sessions, plus travel to and from the program locations.

You will learn to:

  • Become an adaptive leader in your field
  • Look for solutions beyond your organisation
  • Get ready to advocate for change
  • Take action for the good of the future
  • Be aware and ready to modify behaviours
  • Gain authenticity and act beyond self.

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

Find out more about the AALP

Current AgriFutures-Sponsored Recipients

A smiling older woman with curly gray hair, wearing dangly earrings and a black fuzzy top, stands in front of a dark background—her passion for agriculture and research shining through her warm expression.

Fiona Lacey

2026 AgriFutures-sponsored Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program recipient

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A woman wearing a white wide-brimmed hat and blue button-up shirt stands outdoors in rural Australia, smiling. There is greenery and a wooden fence in the blurred background. Her shirt has embroidered text and a logo on the chest.

Natasha Roebig

2026 AgriFutures-sponsored Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program recipient

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A smiling older woman with curly gray hair, wearing dangly earrings and a black fuzzy top, stands in front of a dark background—her passion for agriculture and research shining through her warm expression.

Fiona Lacey

2026 AgriFutures-sponsored Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program recipient

President of Thoroughbred Breeders WA and Director of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

Fiona Lacey is an equine veterinarian and thoroughbred breeder with more than two decades’ experience in the Australian thoroughbred industry. She co-founded Mogumber Park, now one of Western Australia’s leading thoroughbred studs, and has held senior leadership roles including President of Thoroughbred Breeders WA and Director of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. Fiona also contributes her technical expertise as a panel member of the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, supporting innovation and leadership across this levied industry. She is a recipient of the AgriFutures-sponsored Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program, delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

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A woman wearing a white wide-brimmed hat and blue button-up shirt stands outdoors in rural Australia, smiling. There is greenery and a wooden fence in the blurred background. Her shirt has embroidered text and a logo on the chest.

Natasha Roebig

2026 AgriFutures-sponsored Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program recipient

Managing Director and Co-Founder of Bee All Natural

Natasha Roebig is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Bee All Natural, an award-winning honey and education business based in Queensland. A strong advocate for sustainable beekeeping and workforce development, Natasha leads inclusive education initiatives that support pathways into the beekeeping sector, an important emerging industry supported by AgriFutures. She is a Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award alumni and a Board Director at the Australian Technology & Agricultural College, where she is helping shape future-ready agribusiness education. Natasha is a recipient of the AgriFutures-sponsored Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program, delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

Eligibility and Essential Information

Eligibility

To be eligible for an AgriFutures-supported position, you must be one of the following:

  • An engaged member of — and intending to remain involved in — one of the following Australian industries:
    • Chicken meat
    • Export fodder
    • Thoroughbred horses
    • Honey bee & pollination
    • Rice
    • Pasture seeds
    • Ginger
    • Tea tree oil
    • Kangaroo
    • Buffalo
    • Goat fibre
    • Deer
  • An engaged member of — and intending to remain involved in —an emerging Australian agricultural industry (e.g. coffee, hazelnut, industrial hemp, insects, crocodile, seaweed/algae, sesame, truffle, or other up-and-coming rural industries).

Essential Requirements

Two industry participants will be sponsored by AgriFutures Australia to attend the program (valued at ~$15,000 per position). The position is not transferable. Participants are required to complete the course assessment and provide evidence of completion to AgriFutures.

You’ll need to be able to commit to interstate travel for the program. These dates are not flexible. 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.

Application Information

Before you apply

The course fees are fully sponsored by AgriFutures Australia. Eligible AgriFutures stakeholders (outlined above) are encouraged to apply with applications to be assessed and selected by AgriFutures Capacity Building staff.  Applicants are required to respond to a number of selection criteria and provide evidence of their engagement in their specified category.

How to apply

Applications for 2026 are currently closed. Applications for 2027 will open in mid-2026.

Contact

Enquiries about AgriFutures-supported positions

For questions about eligibility, funding support, or the AgriFutures application process, please contact:

Sarah Hope
Manager, Capacity Building

Emily Jones
Coordinator, Capacity Building

Information about the AALP program

For program details, structure, and delivery of the program, visit the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s website:

Click here for more information about the Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program