Australia’s sugarcane industry research and development organisation, Sugar Research Australia Limited (SRA), will appoint up to three Non-Executive Directors to join its Board at the Annual General Meeting in November.

SRA is an industry-owned company dedicated to investing in a portfolio of research, development, and adoption projects. One of Australia’s 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), SRA is responsible for driving productivity, profitability, and sustainability for the sugarcane industry.

Governed by a skills-based board of six to eight directors, the majority of whom are independent, SRA’s Board is focussed on setting strategic direction, approving operating plans, reviewing company performance, and acting on expert advice from the SRA Research Funding Panel for contestable investments.

Due to the pending retirement of two non-executive directors at the 2026 AGM, the Director Selection Committee is specifically seeking up to three experienced non-executive directors with an innovative, expansive mindset and expertise in one or more of the following skillsets:
• Extensive experience in sugarcane farming, including hands-on farming and a deep understanding of business drivers, opportunities and threats relating to the Australian sugar industry.
• Specialist expertise in plant breeding and variety development, demonstrating strategic oversight in plant breeding, variety evaluation and commercialisation, with the ability to challenge the status quo and translate research into informed board-level direction aligned with grower needs, milling efficiency, and sustainability.
• Specialist expertise in biosecurity and integrated pest and disease crop management including strategic oversight of integrated pest and disease management (IPDM), biosecurity frameworks, and evidence-based approaches to protecting industry productivity and resilience.

All candidates should be able to demonstrate a proven ability to add value to the Board to ensure SRA’s research direction and outcomes are aligned to industry priorities. Candidates should ideally have prior experience as a non-executive director or equivalent senior executive or strategic leadership experience.

SRA actively encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of the industry, including gender diversity. Applications are welcome from candidates based on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

Directors are remunerated by way of a fixed annual fee with additional committee fees applicable. Reasonable board-related expenses are met by the company. The estimated time commitment is 20–25 days per annum. Directors are appointed for a maximum term of up to three years.

For further information including a position details document, or to submit your expression of interest, visit https://directorsaustralia.com.au/vacancies/

Applications close midnight Sunday 28 June 2026.

Media Contact: Alisa Cork, SRA Head of Communications, on 0409 777 249