Plant Health Australia (PHA) is seeking expressions of interest (EoI) from suitably qualified people, interested in casual and/or short, fixed-term (typically 1 to 6 months) employment.  Successful candidates will be placed on PHA’s Casual and Temporary Employment Register.

PHA is a small not-for-profit (NFP) organisation and a registered charity. We are the trusted coordinator of the Australian plant biosecurity system and we bring expertise, knowledge and stakeholders together to generate solutions that improve biosecurity outcomes.

Learn more about PHA and our work.

About the opportunities

PHA undertakes a variety of project work on behalf of Members, including government and industry bodies, often requiring additional resources for the life of the project, or for specific phases of projects. Types of project work may include:

• Preparedness, surveillance and diagnostics
• Emergency response and recovery
• Improving biosecurity capability and awareness, through training, and marketing and communications
• Enhancing PHA’s digital systems
• Program design and coordination.

The skills, qualifications and experience we may require for these projects are varied and can include:

• Graduate qualifications in science, agriculture, IT or related areas
• Experience in, and extensive knowledge of, biosecurity and/or emergency response
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong project and program management skills and experience
• Training (including e-learning, course design) and/or group facilitation skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Marketing & communications
• Strong secretariat and administrative skills.

Opportunities may also arise in PHA’s corporate areas, where “surge” capacity is required during busy periods or to provide backfill for staff leave.  The skills, qualifications and experience we require in these areas include:

• Relevant qualifications – finance, marketing and communications, business administration, and human resources
• Sound and diverse experience working in relevant corporate areas (finance, payroll, marketing & communications, HR, governance), with the ability to “hit the ground running”
• Outstanding communication and collaboration skills.

Employment conditions and remuneration

Opportunities are generally short term and are unlikely to lead to long-term or ongoing employment. EoIs should only be submitted by candidates with a genuine interest and availability for casual or short-term work.

Remuneration will depend on the level of the work and nature of the employment. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading (in lieu of leave, public holidays, etc.).

Roles will typically be in the range of $81,538 – $123,797 + 25% loading (full-time equivalent) or otherwise equivalent to $41.26 – $62.65 per hour + loading.

Specific details regarding remuneration and employment terms will be determined for each opportunity that arises. Casual work opportunities may be available remotely or through a hybrid arrangement depending on each project and team.

How to apply

To express interest, please submit a cover letter and CV with two current referees via SEEK. EoIs sent by email will not be accepted.

Applications close 5.00 pm AEDST on Friday 16 October 2026.

For general enquiries, please contact peopleandculture@phau.com.au.

More detailed enquiries about work within portfolio groups can be referred to the relevant General Manager or National Manager, on request.

Candidates will be advised no later than Friday 13 November 2026 if they have been selected for PHA’s Casual and Temporary Employment Register.

Candidates selected for PHA’s Casual and Temporary Employment Register will remain on the register for 12 months from the date they are notified of their selection, unless they request to be removed earlier. Placement on the register does not guarantee employment.  If candidates wish to continue being considered after this period, they may be required to submit a new EoI. 

From time to time, PHA is interested in suitably qualified graduates as vacancies arise.