Why PIRSA Could Be Your Next Big Career Move 🚀🌾
We read public‑sector annual reports so you don’t have to!
AT‑A‑GLANCE
Name of Department / Council: Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA)
Location: Head office – 11 Waymouth St, Adelaide SA 5000; operations state‑wide
CEO: Prof Mehdi Doroudi PSM
Total Revenue (2023‑24): A$246.8 million (Total Income)
Total Number of Employees: ≈ 830 people
DID YOU KNOW? 💡
South Australia’s primary‑industries and agribusiness sector generated an impressive A$18.5 billion in 2022‑23, accounting for more than half the state’s merchandise exports — and PIRSA is at the heart of that success.
THE QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO PIRSA
Top 5 academic qualifications
Agricultural Science – underpins research, on‑farm advisory and ag‑tech programs.
Environmental Science – supports biosecurity, fisheries and sustainability initiatives.
Business / Commerce – vital for program management and industry development.
Data Analytics – drives evidence‑based policy and ag‑tech adoption.
Veterinary Science – aligns with PIRSA’s new Veterinary Services Act and livestock biosecurity.
Top 5 certifications
Project Management (PRINCE2 / PMP): delivers multi‑million‑dollar regional projects.
Certified Practising Accountant (CPA / CA): manages grants and fund oversight.
GIS Certification: maps fisheries zones and pest outbreaks.
Work Health & Safety Cert IV: ensures safe regional operations.
Remote Pilot Licence (RePL): supports drone‑based biosecurity surveillance.
Top 5 trades / professions
Fisheries Officer – frontline compliance on SA’s coasts.
Biosecurity Inspector – protects the state from pests and diseases.
Forestry Technician – manages state forest assets and fire‑detection towers.
Laboratory Technician – conducts diagnostics for SARDI scientists.
Heavy‑Plant Operator – maintains the iconic Dog Fence rebuild and regional infrastructure.
Top 5 skills
Stakeholder engagement – collaborate with farmers, councils and industry bodies.
Policy analysis – translate science into clear, workable regulations.
Field research – collect data in diverse, often remote environments.
Grant administration – manage funds such as the Thriving Regions program.
Digital literacy – leverage ag‑tech platforms and remote‑sensing data.
Top 5 work experiences
Regional project delivery – proves you can succeed outside metro areas.
Agribusiness sales / marketing – aligns with PIRSA’s market‑re‑engagement for wine & seafood.
Emergency response – valuable for biosecurity incursions and natural‑disaster recovery.
Academic research – dovetails with SARDI’s cutting‑edge science.
Small‑farm management – showcases hands‑on knowledge of producer challenges.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA)
Name of CEO: Prof Mehdi Doroudi PSM
Location: State‑wide across South Australia (head office Adelaide)
Year Founded: Long‑standing predecessor agencies date back over a century; current structure refreshed in 2023‑24.
Main Mission & Purpose: To stimulate value growth of SA’s primary industries while protecting and sustaining the resources that underpin them — building stronger regional communities. Example: the $15 million p.a. Thriving Regions Fund backs projects that create regional jobs and improve liveability.
Main Duties: Biosecurity, fisheries & aquaculture management, regional economic development, research via SARDI, and legislative reform (e.g., new Veterinary Services Act 2023). Example: PIRSA’s AgTech Growth Fund supported seven innovative on‑farm tech projects in 2023‑24.
Key Projects / Strategic Priorities / Future Plans:
Modern $50 million biosecurity treatment precinct at Pooraka.
Net Zero Agriculture initiative to help producers meet low‑emissions market demand.
Expansion of AI‑powered bushfire‑detection towers in the Green Triangle.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: ≈ 830 people
Salary Bands: PIRSA roles are covered by South Australian Public Sector enterprise agreements. Current advertised positions range roughly A$55 k–A$250 k, from entry‑level ASO2 to executive SAES classifications.
Average Salary in the Department: Indicative midpoint ~A$95 k (based on recent ASO5/6 vacancies).
Total Revenue (2023‑24): A$246.8 million
Average Revenue per Employee: $297,349
GETTING A JOB AT PIRSA 🔍
Which Academic Subjects are likely to be most sought‑after?
Certificate / Diploma Level: Conservation & Land Management, Aquaculture Operations, Laboratory Skills.
Bachelor / Master Level: Agricultural Science, Environmental Policy, Data Science, Economics, Business Administration.
PhDs: Plant Pathology, Marine Biology, Climate‑Smart Agriculture, Bioinformatics, Animal Health.
Which Trades & Professions?
Biosecurity inspectors, fisheries officers, diesel mechanics for field machinery, GIS analysts, laboratory technologists.
Which Work Experiences?
Biosecurity response teams, regional project management, agribusiness development, research-commercialisation, emergency‑services coordination.
Which Skills?
Soft skills: Clear communication, stakeholder facilitation, adaptability, problem‑solving, leadership.
Technical skills: GIS & remote sensing, data analytics (Python/R), laboratory diagnostics, fisheries compliance, WHS auditing.
General skills: Report writing, grant management, procurement, budgeting, community engagement.
Which Hobbies & Interests align?
Bee‑keeping, recreational fishing (compliance insight), drone photography (mapping), bushwalking & conservation volunteering, community agriculture networks.
Want more information on PIRSA?
Contact PIRSA (HR & Careers):
Address: 11 Waymouth St, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 08 8226 0995
Email: pirsa.careers@sa.gov.au
Website: https://pir.sa.gov.au
Current vacancies: https://iworkfor.sa.gov.au – search “PIRSA”
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