Applied $90,000 jobs

Expressions of interest are sought for the part-time positions of a Chairperson and 4 members for a term of up to 4 years commencing on or after 19 September 2026.

Purpose and scope
The Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee (the Committee), established under the Future Drought Fund Act 2019
(FDF Act), provides advice to the Minister for Drought on the Drought Resilience Funding Plan (the Funding Plan) a high-level framework that guides grants and arrangements for drought resilience over a rolling four-year periods, and on whether proposed Future Drought Fund (FDF) program designs align with this Plan. The Committee’s role is strictly advisory, focused on the Funding Plan and FDF programs, and it does not have decision-making authority or responsibility for developing the Funding Plan or designing FDF programs.

Roles and Responsibilities
The Committee will:

• consider the Productivity Commission’s report on the effectiveness of Part 3 of the FDF Act
• undertake consultation with key stakeholders on the draft Funding Plan
• provide advice to the Minister for Drought on the draft Funding Plan, provide advice to the Minister for Drought on whether the proposed design of FDF programs is consistent with the Funding Plan
• monitor progress on the implementation of the Funding Plan and FDF programs
• reconsider the Funding Plan if replaced outside of the four-year cycle.

The Committee’s advice to the Drought Minister will consider:

• issues, challenges and barriers relevant to enhancing the drought preparedness and resilience of farm businesses and communities, including economic, environmental and social factors
• farmer and community views and perceptions of drought and drought resilience
• the optimal mix of investment options for the Commonwealth to enhance the drought preparedness and resilience of farm businesses and communities.

Membership
The Committee consists of a Chair and four other Members appointed by the Minister for Drought under the FDF Act for a period of up to four years. Members may not be appointed to the Committee unless the person has expertise or experience in two or more of the following areas:

• drought resilience measures
• climate risk
• agriculture industry
• rural and regional community leadership and resilience
• rural and regional development
• applied research
• agricultural extension
• economics

Meeting arrangements
The Committee will meet as required, but no less than 4 times per year. Generally, the Committee works more intensively and may meet more frequently in the years where the Funding Plan is due to be replaced (currently in 2028) and public consultation takes place (at least one in every four years). This may also include a period of travel for public consultation.

Remuneration
The Commonwealth will pay you a daily fee in accordance with the equivalent rates paid to part-time public office holders by the Australian Government Remuneration Tribunal for attending meetings and contributing to the work of the Committee. The conditions and requirements for the payment of the daily fee are set out in the Remuneration Tribunal (Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Part-time Public Office) Determination 2025 (No.6) (or any determination that supersedes that determination).

• Chair: $1010 per day
• Members: $908 per day

In addition to the daily rate specified above, superannuation will be remitted to your approved superannuation fund.

Members’ travel expenses will be managed and paid by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. All travel arrangements will be made in accordance with the Remuneration Tribunal (Official Travel) Determination (No. 6) 2025 (Tier 2) and departmental guidelines as relevant, outlined in the Travel Policy.

Administrative Support
Administrative and Secretariat support is provided by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Secretariat is the central point of contact for all Committee related issues and queries.