What’s happening?
AgriFutures Australia has opened applications for its new People and Capability Program, investing up to $200,000 to support established and emerging industries facing workforce shortages.
The pilot program will fund practical, industry-led initiatives to attract, develop and retain workers across agriculture.
Funding is available through two streams. Industry Workforce Program Grants offer up to $25,000 to deliver or adapt workforce initiatives. Capacity Building Grants provide up to $10,000 to strengthen leadership, skill development and organisational capability.
Applications open Monday, 16 February and close Friday, 13 March 2026.
Why it matters
Workforce shortages are affecting industries from chicken meat and rice to industrial hemp and truffles.
AgriFutures General Manager, Levied and Emerging Industries, Samantha Beresford, said the pressure is being felt across the supply chain.
“Workforce shortages are a daily reality for our rural industries,” Ms Beresford said.
“Whether it’s finding skilled people on the ground or developing the next generation of leaders, the availability of capable people is now a key factor in whether industries can grow, innovate and remain competitive.”
She said the focus is on practical outcomes.
“This program is about investing in people, building confidence and capability, and creating stronger pathways into agriculture,” she said.
“By focusing on outcomes and measuring impact, we can support immediate workforce needs while also building skilled and capable people for the future.”
Local impact
Industry associations, individuals and service providers linked to levied and emerging industries are encouraged to apply.
Projects must address attraction, retention and skills development. Applications will be assessed on strategic alignment, impact, scalability, innovation and outcomes.
The goal is to help industries tailor workforce solutions to their specific needs while supporting long term growth.
By the numbers
The program is investing up to $200,000 to support workforce and leadership initiatives across levied and emerging industries.
AgriFutures represents 13 levied industries, including chicken meat, rice, honey bee and pollination, ginger, tea tree oil, pasture seeds, export fodder, thoroughbred horses, kangaroo, buffalo, deer, goat fibre and ratite.
Grant funding is available in two streams, up to $25,000 for Industry Workforce Program Grants and up to $10,000 for Capacity Building Grants.
Zoom in
The People and Capability Program is designed as a pilot, focused on practical and measurable impact.
It targets workforce gaps while strengthening leadership capability within industries. The aim is to build resilience and support long term productivity.
Zoom out
AgriFutures Australia is a statutory corporation established in 1990. It invests in research, development and innovation to advance the prosperity, sustainability and resilience of its industries.
Alongside its livestock industries, it also supports emerging sectors including industrial hemp, truffles, coffee, hazelnuts, insects, sesame, crocodile and Indigenous native foods.
What to look for next?
Applications close Friday, 13 March 2026.
Successful projects are expected to demonstrate measurable impact and scalable workforce solutions for agriculture’s future.
