Primary Industries Graduate Program

Our 2-year program supports early career professionals transition from study to full-time employment in Queensland's primary industries. Start your career with unique, interesting and rewarding work that has a tangible impact for today and tomorrow.

Explore our story and learn more about our careers.

Be supported to grow your career

We'll help you grow and thrive through our comprehensive development program. You'll have the chance to:

• build your capability with structured learning and training
• learn from experienced leaders in our mentoring program
• enjoy on-the-job experience and interesting project work
• explore unique career paths in regional and rural locations.

• Video transcript

  Being the first of a few people to be working on a particular issue is obviously really exciting cos you're getting to pioneer that field or that research.

  I've really been given a lot of opportunities within the grad program. I've seen more of Queensland than I've ever seen. Mainly I am in the field conducting on-farm studies, determining what are the effects on soil, livestock, timber, trees and also the financial performance of the farms.

  As a Graduate Plant Pathologist, I'm looking at how we can solve and manage some of our biggest disease issues in agriculture. Looking at different techniques that we can then pass on to growers and industry and try and tackle some of those big issues.

  I have been given a lot of opportunities to upskill. Get training in various fields, whether it's computer programs or in field operations. You get to decide where your career goes within the department and that's what really excites me.

  There's a lot about my future that excites me because agriculture is so broad and there's so many different issues and problems that we can be tackling. If you get the chance to work with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, you will be making an impact and you'll be doing that alongside a group of really passionate individuals as well.

  Advice I would give the future cohorts of grads would be, don't say no to any opportunities. You just have to see what you can do to make the greatest impact for Queensland and Australia as a whole.

• Video transcript

  What excites me about the next generation of grads coming in, is the possibility. Our landscape in terms of the community we serve, technology, what's happening on a global scale is ever shifting. And we're bringing in new thinking, new enthusiasm, ideas of ways in which we can do things better and we really need our graduates to want to contribute to that story, so that we can be the best that we can be as a public service to our community.

  I really enjoy learning, and so that's one of the reasons why I'm here at the graduate program. I wanted to, you know, explore and learn the various and endless things that we have. So some of the opportunities that the graduates have through this program is access to mentors, to training opportunities, to a range of experiences through the department. So what we're offering is not a job, but a career and a pathway for life.

  I think the department's really well set up for me to be able to specialise into something that I would really like to do. You can go down rabbit holes, you can jump out of them and go all around the field and try all different things. I am most excited for the mentorship of the program. There seems to be a really large emphasis on leadership and mentorship and working together, to further our careers as graduates.

  I think the one piece of advice for graduates moving forward is to take advantage of every opportunity you can. Talk to new people, don't be afraid to stick your hand up for different opportunities. The more things you do, the more you can work out where you want to go with your career. If you want to make a mark, you want to make a difference, and you want to create a legacy, this is the department.

  I just want to do something useful and positive. Agriculture and Queensland as a State is in a really exciting time and there's all this incredible change and transformation that's ahead of us, and I’m excited to be a part of driving that change forward.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for graduates in these fields to advance the security and sustainability of our primary industries:

• agriculture, fisheries, forestry, biosecurity, horticulture
• science
• business and commerce
• finance
• economics and statistics
• information technology
• data science and analytics or mathematics
• public policy and government.

From time to time we also need people from other specialist fields, so don't hesitate to apply even if your field isn't mentioned. Contact us at workingatDPI@daf.qld.gov.au.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this program you must be all of the following:

• a recent graduate who has
  • completed a bachelor's degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification) or higher in a relevant field of study
  • graduated from the bachelor's component of your degree between 1 July 2023 and the commencement of the program in July 2025
• an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or a resident of Australia and have unrestricted working rights under the Australian Commonwealth law
• ready to start in July 2025.

Equity, diversity and belonging

We're committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce reflective of the community we serve.

We encourage people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, including women, persons with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTIQA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Our recruitment process is inclusive and aims to provide all candidates the best opportunity to demonstrate suitability for the program. Support and reasonable adjustment for candidates is available throughout the selection process.

How to apply

Before applying to the Primary Industries Graduate Program, you should:

• read the program information on this page, including the eligibility criteria
• review the role description and candidate information pack
• update your resume
• obtain a certified or verified copy of your most recent academic transcript
• obtain certified or verified evidence of your right to work in Australia
• download and read the frequently asked questions for more information

Ready to go? Apply today!

Important information for candidates

Overseas qualifications must be assessed and recognised in Australia prior to submitting your application.

Academic transcripts, permanent residency and visa documents must be certified by a registered Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for Declarations unless already verified through the recommended My eQuals and VEVO platforms.

Applications containing documents that are not verified or certified as specified above may not be considered.

Overseas and interstate candidates are encouraged to apply; however, our graduate positions are located across Queensland, and therefore must be undertaken within Queensland.

More information

Contact our graduate coordinator at workingatDPI@daf.qld.gov.au.

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