Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) Australian Rural 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 Rural Leadership Program with all course fees covered.
Applications for 2027 will open in mid-2026.
About the Australian Rural Leadership Program
Designed for: Established leaders ready to tackle complex challenges and have significant impact on rural, regional and remote Australia.
Course commencement date: TBC
Duration: 15-months program including 4 face-to-face sessions between 5-10 days in length, online sessions and independent project work.
Location: Combination of face-to-face residential workshops, online sessions and project work, including both international and remote domestic travel (locations TBC) with isolation from day-to-day duties and limited to no contact.
The ARLP program initiates structured pathways for leadership development. The program is delivered over 15 months across multiple sessions including four face-to-face sessions across the country and internationally. Cohorts are announced every February and the program runs from June until September the following year.
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.
2026 Sponsored recipients
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Brian Astridge
Brian Astridge is an internationally recognised leader in food safety, animal health and sustainability, with experience across government, commercial and agricultural sectors. He has served as a senior diplomat, including a posting in Brussels, with expertise across Europe and the Middle East. Brian has also run his own food export business. He is passionate about leadership and developing high-performing teams to achieve both professional and personal goals. Outside work, Brian enjoys sport, the outdoors and spending time with his wife Jess and their two teenage daughters.
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Dr Dini Ganesalingam
Dr Dini Ganesalingam is an agri-food innovation and RD&E investment leader with more than a decade of experience across Australian agriculture. As Research and Business Development Manager at InterGrain, she leads research strategy, governance and statistical delivery across key crops. Dini holds a PhD in Plant Breeding and Statistics and is GAICD qualified. She contributes to industry governance through board and advisory roles, including AgriFutures’ Rice RD&E Panel. Dini is passionate about translating research and data into practical outcomes for growers and building resilient, future-ready rural industries.
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Dr Christopher Proud
Dr Christopher Proud (Chris) is the senior rice breeder with Rice Breeding Australia Ltd (RBA), and is based in Leeton, NSW. He is responsible for leading the breeding program to develop new varieties for the Australian rice industry. Over the past two years, Chris has led the modernisation of the Australian rice breeding program to dramatically increase the rate of genetic gain and improve outcomes for growers across both long-term profitability and water productivity of their rice production systems. Chris has more than a decade’s experience in rice research and development previously with University of Queensland where he also completed his PhD and was a post-doctoral research fellow exploring methods to improve breeding efficiencies in rice prior to commencing his role at RBA. Prior to joining RBA Chris’ previous roles were technically focused and he has enjoyed developing his managerial and leadership skills over the past two years. Chris hopes to participate in the Australian Rural Leadership Program to further accelerate his leadership skills to allow him to lead not only his team at RBA but to also provide leadership to the Australia rice industry as it grapples with significant long term sustainability challenges.
Eligibility and Essential Requirements
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 (one from a levied industry and one from an emerging industry) will apply to ARLF and be sponsored by AgriFutures Australia to attend the program (valued at $60,500 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 15 months of sessions, which will require interstate and international travel. 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.
Applicants must also complete a formal interview by a panel which may include ARLF staff and ARLP 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.
How to apply
Applications for 2026 are currently closed. Applications for 2027 will open in mid-2026.
The ARLF accepts expressions of interest year-round.
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 ARLP 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 Rural Leadership Program