Australian Rural Leadership Program
Australian Rural Leadership Program
Developing exceptional leaders for rural, regional, and remote Australia
Creating Impact For Rural Australia
The Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) is Australia’s premier leadership development program for people committed to rural, regional and remote Australia.
Across a challenging and deeply supported journey, participants build the confidence, self-awareness, networks and practical leadership skills to respond to complex issues in their communities, industries and regions.
From the Chief Executive
Rural, regional and remote Australia is leading through change that is fast, complex and often unpredictable.
Markets shift. Seasons change. Disasters arrive without warning. In this environment, strong leadership is not a nice-to-have. It is essential.
The Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) develops people who can lead through uncertainty with courage, curiosity and care. It builds the self-awareness, judgement and practical capability needed to work with others and respond to complex challenges.
This takes time. It takes commitment. And it is only possible because sponsors and partners continue to invest in the people shaping the future of rural Australia.
As the world changes, ARLP will keep evolving too. Our focus remains clear: developing the leadership rural, regional and remote Australia needs now and into the future.
Matt Linnegar
Chief Executive | Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
Lead through uncertainty with courage, curiosity and care
Participant Information
The ARLP is a premium leadership development experience for people who are ready to stretch themselves and contribute more strongly to rural, regional and remote Australia.
Through a blend of in-person experiences, online learning, peer connection and coaching, participants build their leadership practice over a 5‑stage developmental journey which draws on the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s 6A’s of Leadership: authenticity, awareness, adaptation, affiliation, advocacy and action. These practices support participants to lead with purpose, integrity and care.
Participants explore:
- self-awareness and personal leadership practice
- adaptive leadership in changing environments
- communication, influence and advocacy
- collaboration across sectors and cultures
- systems thinking and practical problem solving
- courage, resilience and action
- connection to place, Country and community.
The program consists of 3 in-person experiential event activities supported by online masterclasses and coaching to meet key stages of participant development.
The ARLP is designed for established leaders who are ready to take on complex challenges and contribute to significant impact across rural, regional and remote Australia.
This is a competitive program for people with a strong track record of leadership, service or influence in their organisation, industry, community or region. Applicants do not need to hold a senior title, but they do need to show they are already contributing meaningfully and are ready to extend their leadership practice.
We look for people who can bring depth, generosity and courage to the cohort. Successful applicants are open to challenge, willing to reflect on their own behaviour and ready to work with people who bring different experiences and views.
Selection is rigorous and considers each applicant’s leadership experience, readiness, motivation and potential contribution to the cohort. We aim to build a diverse group of established leaders who can learn from one another and strengthen leadership across rural, regional and remote Australia.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- strong connection and commitment to rural, regional or remote Australia
- established leadership experience in their field, community or sector
- readiness to work with complexity, uncertainty and competing perspectives
- capacity to influence change beyond their immediate role or organisation
- commitment to learning through challenge, reflection and feedback
- support from their workplace, family or community to meet the full program commitment
- a clear sense of the contribution they want to make through and beyond the ARLP.
The ARLP is a 10-month developmental journey designed for established leaders who are ready to invest deeply in their leadership practice and long-term impact.
The program is delivered through five connected stages, with a blend of residential and online experiences. Each stage builds on the last, supporting participants to move from self-awareness and peer connection through to applied leadership, influence and action.
Participants should expect to take part in residential outdoor experiences, online learning, reflective practice, peer learning and applied work between stages. The time between formal program components is an important part of the experience. It allows participants to test insights, strengthen new behaviours and apply their leadership practice in their own organisation, community or sector.
The ARLP requires time, energy and openness. Participants will be challenged, supported and stretched in a respectful environment. This commitment is central to the impact of the program and the strength of the cohort experience.
Course dates and locations are confirmed before each intake opens.
The ARLP is delivered across a connected developmental journey that includes in-person and online components. Locations may include rural and regional communities, capital city settings, outdoor environments and international contexts.
Each location is chosen with purpose. Participants learn from the people, systems, cultures and challenges of each place they visit.
There are several ways to take part in the ARLP.
- You can apply for an available scholarship place supported by one of our funding partners.
- You can speak with your employer, industry body or community organisation about sponsoring your participation.
- You can contact the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation to discuss your eligibility, readiness and available opportunities.
The application process includes a written application, a readiness conversation and a group selection process. This helps us build a diverse cohort with a mix of sectors, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives.
Types of scholarships*
Industry-Based Scholarships
These scholarships are intended for individuals working in or with specific industries:
Cotton Industry
Dairy Farming
Fisheries and Seafood
Grains Industry
Horticulture Industry
Meat Processing
Red Meat Production
AgriFutures Emerging or Levied Industries
Innovation in Agriculture
Region-Based Scholarships
These support applicants based in specific regions of Australia:
Central Australia
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Identity-Based Scholarships
These are intended to support equity and inclusion:
First Nations Identified Scholarship
Torres Strait Identified Scholarship
Open & General Scholarships
Open Scholarships
Self-funded, Staff or Employer-Linked Scholarship
Other / Not On List
*When you submit an application you will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible. You do not need to specify a scholarship preference in your application.
Important Note: While we aim to offer scholarships across all of the above categories, availability is not guaranteed and the number may vary from year to year depending on funding partners. Some scholarships are fully funded, while others require co-contribution from the applicant or employer.
Lead with purpose, integrity and care
Hear From Our Alumni
Reflections from those who have experienced the journey
Strengthening rural, regional and remote Australia
Partner Information
Rural, regional and remote Australia needs people who can lead through complexity, not around it.
Communities and industries are facing challenges that do not sit neatly within one organisation, sector or region. These challenges require people who can listen deeply, work across difference, build trust and mobilise others toward shared action.
The ARLP exists to develop this kind of leadership.
For more than 30 years, the program has supported people to strengthen their leadership practice and contribute to positive change. Participants leave with greater confidence, stronger networks and a clearer sense of how they can influence the systems around them.
The program also strengthens the broader leadership capacity of rural, regional and remote Australia. Each participant becomes part of a national alumni network committed to serving their communities, industries and regions over the long term.
Sponsoring an ARLP participant is an investment in people, place and long-term impact.
Your support gives a capable person access to leadership development that may otherwise be out of reach. It also strengthens the communities, industries and systems they contribute to every day.
A scholarship does more than support one participant. It helps build a diverse national cohort where people learn from different sectors, cultures, regions and lived experiences. This diversity matters. It helps participants challenge assumptions, broaden their thinking and work more effectively with people who see the world differently.
For partners, the ARLP offers a practical way to invest in leadership that is grounded in rural, regional and remote Australia and connected to real outcomes.
We work with our partners to build meaningful connection with the participant they sponsor and to provide clear updates on the program experience and impact.
Partners can expect:
- opportunities to connect with their sponsored participant
- regular program updates and impact reporting
- invitations to selected ARLP engagement opportunities
- recognition through appropriate ARLF channels
- a deeper understanding of how their investment supports leadership across rural, regional and remote Australia.
We also welcome conversations about partner goals, reporting needs and ways to strengthen the relationship between sponsor and participant throughout the program.
Partners can sponsor a participant connected to their organisation, industry, region or community.
Some partners support someone from within their own organisation. Others fund a scholarship for a person working in a particular sector, place or field of interest. Open scholarships also support high-quality candidates who may not fit a specific industry or regional funding category.
You may choose to sponsor:
- an employee from within your organisation
- a person from your industry or sector
- a leader from a specific region or community
- a First Nations participant
- a participant whose work aligns with your purpose or funding priorities
- an open scholarship place for a strong candidate from rural, regional or remote Australia.
Open scholarships are especially important. They help ensure the cohort includes people from community, creative, professional and grassroots contexts who bring valuable perspectives but may not have access to traditional sponsorship pathways.
We welcome sponsorship conversations with organisations, philanthropic foundations, industry bodies, businesses, donors and community groups.
Partners can sponsor a full scholarship place or speak with us about a tailored contribution that supports the future of rural leadership.
Sponsorship options may include:
- a full participant scholarship
- a place-based or industry-aligned scholarship
- an open scholarship
- multi-year scholarship support
- support for a specific program component or experience
- untied investment to strengthen the ARLP and its future impact.
Our team will work with you to understand your goals, confirm the right approach and support a strong connection between you and the participant or cohort your funding supports.
Explore the latest program report to understand the outcomes, experiences and impact of the Australian Rural Leadership Program.
Types Of Scholarships
Partners can fund any of the following scholarship types:
Fund a Staff or Employer-Linked Scholarship
Fund an Open Scholarship
Fund an Industry-Based Scholarship
Fund a Region-Based Scholarship
Fund an Identity-Based Scholarship
Partner Spotlight: Telstra
Hear From Our Partners
What sponsors see in the ARLP journey
Join Our Partners
We’re proud to partner with organisations that invest in leadership excellence and positive change across rural, regional and remote Australia.
Want to recommend this program to someone?
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question, you might find the answer below. If we haven’t answered it, our friendly team is happy to chat with you. Get in touch via email or give us a call on (02) 6281 0680.
We offer a wide range of scholarships to support leaders from diverse industries, regions, and backgrounds. You will find these in the Scholarship Information section of this webpage. These scholarships help reduce or remove the financial barrier to participation and are made possible through partnerships with a variety of organisations and supporters.
You can apply for more than one scholarship if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Important Note: Availability is not guaranteed and may vary from year to year depending on funding partners. Some scholarships are fully funded, while others require co-contribution from the applicant or employer.
We encourage all applicants to apply for any and all scholarships for which they meet the criteria.
Of course. If you work in the agribusiness sector, asking your employer to fund your place is a great professional development opportunity.
Here are some tips for when you ask your employer to support you:
Each organisation has different processes or policies regarding employee development and training. You can usually find this information in your employee handbook or intranet, or you can contact your human resources (HR) team.
For smaller organisations, this may be just a conversation with your direct manager.
Speak with your manager about your career and leadership journey. Leadership development is different for everyone and requires an adaptive learning approach.
By talking to your manager about your career path and areas for development, you can begin the conversation on how to achieve your goals and what is best for your organisation.
Sometimes you just need to ask the question. This may be in an email or in person. To assist you in asking the question, we have prepared an example email below for you to send to the decision maker.
Hi <insert name>,
I’m emailing you as I’d like to discuss my career and leadership development within our organisation. I would like to develop my leadership capabilities and my networks within the agribusiness sector by undertaking a leadership program.
One opportunity I have identified is the Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program. It is a bespoke leadership development program for the agribusiness sector, in particular agribusiness leaders, who wish to increase their impact in the businesses and communities in which they live and work.
The 11-day program initiates structured pathways for future leadership development and offers access to a diverse, national alumni network of over 2000 rural, regional and remote leaders.
The dates and locations are:
– INSERT SESSION DATE
The program is an opportunity for me to meet and learn with influential agribusiness leaders and examine the complexity, challenges and opportunities for the Australian agribusiness sector. I would also build connections across a supportive network of leaders across the breadth of the sector.
The cost of the AALP is $15,510+ GST. I would pay the participant contribution of $220+ GST.
As the registration deadline for the program is INSERT DATE, I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further with you at your earliest convenience.
Kind regards,
<insert name>.
If you would like us to contact your organisation directly, please contact us.
Yes, it does. Our programs are intentionally designed to foster deep learning, resilience, and growth by including elements of challenge and uncertainty. These experiences are created with inclusivity in mind, ensuring a safe space to navigate discomfort. The uncertainty is deliberate—it mimics the unpredictable challenges leaders often face, helping you develop the skills to adapt and thrive in the face of the unknown.
Your safety is paramount, and we hope you will not get sick or injured. We do have first aid officers on all programs to assist in an emergency.
Working while you’re in a session will significantly reduce your ability to focus and get the most out of it. It might also not be possible due to the location and schedule of the program. We, therefore, ask that you make prior arrangements with your workplace and inform them that you will not be able to work during program sessions.
We provide an immersive program experience. Therefore, mobile phones may be removed for periods to enhance your engagement and experience. Mobile phone reception may also not be available during some program periods. Your family will be provided with contact information to notify our facilitators in the event of an emergency.