Hort Innovation is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced persons for membership of both the Harmonised Australian Retail Produce Scheme (HARPS) Operational Committee and Technical Committee.

The HARPS Operational and Technical Committees provide objective governance and oversight to the HARPS program on behalf of the scheme owner (Hort Innovation) and were identified by an industry working party as a key need following an independent evaluation of the HARPS program. The Operational Committee and Technical Committee support the work of the Stewardship Panel and liaise closely with the HARPS Manager (One Direction ANZ). For further information about the HARPS program, see here.

Appointed Committee members will have skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to Australian horticulture, such as an understanding of the:

• Horticulture fresh produce landscape as it pertains to market access and trade;
• Commercial drivers and stakeholder landscapes from production to retail

Commitment and Tenure:

The Independent Chairs and Committee Members for both Committees will be recruited for an initial period up to four years with potential to extend. It is anticipated that the Operational Committee will meet quarterly and the Technical Committee will meet bi-annually, with occasional extraordinary meetings at short notice should the need arise. Appointed members will be expected to attend all scheduled meetings and review pre-meeting reading materials. The HARPS Manager is responsible for organising the Committee meetings and will provide secretariat services for the meetings. Meetings will be held virtually or face-to-face. Committee members will not receive sitting fees for their time. Travel and accommodation costs will be borne by the member as an in-kind contribution. The independent chair is funded by Hort Innovation.

Interested candidates should submit a response outlining their motivation, relevant experience, and supporting documentation using the;

• Technical Committee Expression of Interest Form, and/or
• Operational Committee Expression of Interest Form

The closing date for applications will be 3pm (AEDT), Friday 7th August 2026.

For further details or to obtain the full Terms of Reference for either Committee, please contact Bianca Cairns (bianca.cairns@horticulture.com.au).

Hort Innovation provides the same benefits and opportunities to everyone without discriminating due to protected characteristics such as age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, colour and carer status.