- Applications are now open for the AgCAREERSTART program, a collaboration between the National Farmers' Federation and the Federal Government
- The AgCAREERSTART gap-year program aims to kick-start young Australians' careers in one of Australia's most important industries, feeding the nation and contributing around $90 billion per year to the economy
- Now in its third year, AgCAREERSTART enables young Australians aged 17-25 to experience life on the land and develop the skills necessary for a career in agriculture
From outback cattle stations in Far North Queensland to mixed enterprises in Victoria, the past three years has seen the AgCAREERSTART program open farm gates to over 180 young people across the country, cultivating the next generation of passionate, agricultural workers.
This comes as Australian farms struggle with crippling labour shortages. In recent years the national food supply chain has been short thousands of workers. The program gives young people a supportive environment to explore life on the land while providing farmers with a viable, home-grown solution to increased labour shortages across regional and rural communities.
The AgCAREERSTART program connects participants to qualified farms for 10 to 12 months. Participants receive ongoing support to find the best farm fit to their experience, skills and interests. When matched with a farmer, participants are then paid a full-time wage.
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) is offering places for the 2025 AgCAREERSTART program and also searching for primary producers across the country who are keen to give young people a start in the industry.
Chloe Smart, Training and Career Development Coordinator at AgCAREERSTART, said the gap-year allows young Australians to explore their interests under the tutelage of seasoned farmers.
"We pair successful applicants with the best host farmer to help kickstart their career. Our participants also have access to a $4,500 Training and Engagement Bursary to help build their skills, while a dedicated support team helps guide them throughout the year," Chloe said.
"We have seen great success with the introduction of an orientation week for participants to meet each other, make new friends and begin constructing their agriculture connections."
"We're here to help young people learn about themselves, build networks and pursue a career in agriculture with full-time pay, training and development opportunities," Chloe said.
NFF Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said the program had been a proven success by providing farmers with an enthusiastic, young workforce while filling critical workforce gaps.
"We know our farmers are finding it tough to find the right people for on farm work. We are thrilled the program has trained and fostered hundreds of young farmers into the sector," Mr Mahar said.
"Our aim is for AgCAREERSTART to ignite a passion in young people to consider farming as a lifelong career rather than a short-term job."
Sam Heagney, Manager of South Bunarba Agriculture, has been an AgCAREERSTART host farmer since the program started in 2022. Located just outside of Mungindi on the QLD and NSW border, South Bunarba is a mixed enterprise, running grain, cotton and cattle, with 15 permanent employees.
For Sam, giving back to aspiring farmers is his main motivation for joining the program.
"Being a 'city kid' myself, I want to offer someone who wasn't lucky enough to grow up on a farm a shot, just like someone once gave me," Sam said.
Sam has had ongoing success with employing gap-year, international and trainee staff in the past and is always looking for ways to engage with young people keen on agriculture.
"I saw an opportunity to invest in the future of our industry by sharing my knowledge and experience with enthusiastic young people. The AgCAREERSTART program promised a mutually beneficial exchange: I could provide hands-on training and mentorship, while participants brought fresh energy and innovative ideas to the farm, with wraparound support provided by the program."
"It's critical for the industry that we invest time and energy into the future of these young people. We've been lucky enough to retain some of our participants but we'd still do it regardless, because either way these guys are going to go on and contribute to other areas of agriculture, and that's what it's all about."
After his gap-year in Griffith, NSW, Julian Craven from Victoria went on to study a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture Innovation) at The Australian National University (ANU) and was recently awarded a 2024 Horizon Scholar with Cotton Research and Development Corporation and AgriFutures.
"After doing my first year of university under lockdown in 2021, I was passionate about taking a gap-year in 2022 but was limited by COVID restrictions on where I could go! The program was a no brainer when I saw it. It linked my tertiary degree and what I wanted to get out of a gap-year! While moving to Griffith was firstly daunting, Gavin, his team and the Griffith community were welcoming and I immediately felt at home."
Luke Nelson from New South Wales joined the 2024 program after completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).
"I initially joined the program to get a pathway into agriculture, which I had very little connections in previously. The program was good for sourcing the right farm for me and my skills, and with the willingness to hire someone quite inexperienced."
Using his $4,500 AgCAREERSTART bursary, Luke earned himself a drone pilot licence and is nearing the completion of his endorsement for 100kg drones. As Luke is the only employee on farm with a drone licence, it offers him the responsibility of managing all the drone operations, including mapping and spraying.
AgCAREERSTART launched in 2022, and with 84 per cent of participants remaining in the agriculture industry, young people are supporting farmers on the land while helping plug crucial workforce gaps.
