Expression of Interest - Agriculture & Food (Identified Roles - Indigenous)

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Looking to build your future in Agriculture & Food through practical skills, innovation, community, and opportunity?
• Make a meaningful impact by applying your skills, knowledge, and lived experience to research that supports sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Join CSIRO – Australia's national science agency, and grow your career through flexible pathways, learning opportunities, and inclusive support.

This Expression of Interest is not for one specific vacancy. It allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to register their interest in current and future opportunities across CSIRO Agriculture & Food.

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit www.csiro.au for more information.

Express your interest to bring your knowledge, skills and aspirations to CSIRO Agriculture & Food.

We are looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at all career stages who want to contribute to the future of agriculture, food, science and innovation in Australia.

Agriculture and food touch almost every part of everyday life. From the food we eat and the fibres we wear, to the industries that support regional communities and Australia's economy, the sector plays a critical role in shaping our future.

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO works alongside farmers, industry, communities, and governments to tackle some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing agriculture and food systems. This includes helping industries adapt to changing environments, supporting sustainable food production, exploring new technologies, and creating solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Our work spans agrifood systems, from production and supply chains to food security, sustainability, and community outcomes, recognising the interconnected nature of food, people, environments, and economies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold deep knowledge of Country, land, waters, plants, animals, seasons, food systems and sustainable ways of caring for Country.

We are interested in people who want to bring their knowledge, practical experience and perspectives into contemporary agriculture and food research — whether through research, technology, fieldwork, community engagement, aquaculture, environmental science, operations or other areas. We value professional experience, practical skills, community knowledge, cultural knowledge, lived experience, formal qualifications and the willingness to learn. You don't need to have followed a traditional science career pathway to have something valuable to contribute.

We are seeking to identify and connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with employment opportunities across Agriculture & Food. While opportunities may vary in location, discipline and career stage, this process will be used to match suitable candidates to current and future roles across our teams and programs.

A&F Research Programs include: 

• Redesigning Genetics for Agriculture: is transforming how crops and livestock are bred, using advanced genetics, genomics and AI to deliver more productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural systems for the future.
• Advancing Farm Productivity:  is transforming farming systems through integrated innovation, digital technologies and sustainable practices to improve productivity, resilience and profitability for Australian agriculture.
• Unlocking Aquaculture Growth: is advancing sustainable and resilient aquaculture by improving production systems, developing new species and supporting Indigenous-led enterprises to meet future seafood demand and industry growth opportunities.
• Agrifood systems: is equipping agriculture to capture value from low-carbon and bio-based industries while building resilient, secure and equitable food systems amid climate, market and geopolitical shocks

Our opportunities can include:

• hands-on and technical work
• laboratory and operational roles
• digital and technology pathways
• administration and coordination
• environmental and field-based work
• multidisciplinary research and research support
• community and industry engagement

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements:  Australia-wide – Agriculture and Food Sites

• A&F have sites at: Adelaide, Armidale, Bribie Island, Brisbane (St Lucia/Coopers Plains/Dutton Park), Darwin, Canberra (Black Mountain), Boorowa, Forest Hill, Hobart, Perth (Floreat), Narrabri, Townsville

Applicants from all locations are encouraged to express their interest. While there is no predetermined work location for this Expression of Interest, some opportunities may be aligned to specific research facilities, operational sites, field locations, or project regions. Flexible, hybrid and remote working arrangements may be available for some opportunities, depending on the requirements of the role. Where opportunities are identified, location and work arrangements will be determined based on applicant preferences, the requirements of the role, and business needs.

Salary

There is no predetermined salary for this Expression of Interest. Opportunities may arise across a range of classifications and career stages, from trainee and early-career positions through to technical, professional and research roles. Salary and classification will be determined based on the nature of the opportunity and will reflect the responsibilities of the role, together with the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, capabilities and relevant knowledge. In addition to salary, CSIRO provides employer superannuation contributions at the standard rate of 15.4%.

Tenure & work schedule: 

Opportunities are expected to be offered as specified-term appointments of up to three (3) years.

Full-time and part-time arrangements will be considered. Flexible work arrangements may be available where appropriate and compatible with the requirements of the role. Final tenure, hours and work arrangements will be determined based on the opportunity identified and individual circumstances.

 Essential Criteria

• Interest in agriculture, food systems, sustainability, science, technology, innovation, aquaculture or related fields.
• A willingness to learn, develop and contribute within a team environment.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and work collaboratively with others.
• A demonstrated commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn about, the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, knowledges, and participation in Australia's agriculture, food, science, and innovation sectors.

Desirable criteria

• Experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, organisations, or stakeholders, or a demonstrated interest in contributing to culturally safe and inclusive environments.
• Skills, knowledge, experience, education, training, cultural knowledge and/or community knowledge that may contribute to Agriculture & Food Research programs

Setting you up for success

At CSIRO, we are committed to creating a culturally safe workplace where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees can bring their whole selves to work.

You will have access to support throughout your recruitment and career journey, including the Indigenous staff network, mentoring, cultural leave, Indigenous Employee Assistance Program, professional development and career pathways. 

Eligibility

CSIRO considers the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Citizenship.

The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award. 

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy. 

Enquiries 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Rebecca Wright on 0438407188 or via email Rebecca.Wright@csiro.au. If you would like a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact the Indigenous Employment and Capability Team at IndigenousCareers@csiro.au.

How to register your interest 

Please register your interest online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV. In your cover letter, we encourage you to tell us about:

• your areas of interest within Agriculture & Food;
• your skills, experience, qualifications, cultural knowledge and/or community knowledge;
• any location preferences or work arrangement preferences you may have; and
• the types of opportunities you would like to be considered for.

We are interested in understanding how your interests, capabilities and aspirations may align with current and future opportunities across Agriculture & Food.

Expressions of Interest close

13 December 2026, 11:00pm AEDT