Mentoring is a powerful tool for professional growth, leadership development, and industry collaboration. However, in the natural resource management sector, structured mentoring programs have been rare.
In 2026, NRM Regions Australia partnered with NRM Regions Queensland and Brancher to trial the NRM Mentoring program nationally. The Pilot was a great success with 71 mentor–mentee pairings from 35 of the country’s 54 regional NRM organisations. The program delivered structured cross-regional mentoring with measurable leadership and collaborative outcomes. The national program is modelled on and builds on the success of the Queensland NRM Sector Mentoring Program, which was delivered from 2024.
NRM Regions Australia is pleased to announce Expressions of Interests for the national 2027 program are now open and close Friday 20 November 2026 – Click on the Sign up button below.
The national program is being delivered in partnership with NRM Regions Queensland and facilitated by Brancher.
The national NRM Mentoring program provides structured support to develop stronger career development pathways, knowledge sharing and increased leadership capability. Tailored to the NRM sector, the program encourages collaboration and equips all staff with the skills to advance their careers.
Participants are matched with their mentor / mentee using a science-based approach to ensure alignment of goals and expertise. The program includes launch webinars and workshops to set expectations, mid-point and end-point workshops to track progress and support participants, and bite-sized training sessions to develop key skills. Regular check-ins, admin support, and ongoing program management ensure that participants remain engaged throughout the process.
Before this program, no formal mentoring initiative existed in the NRM sector, leaving many professionals without structured guidance for career growth and leadership development.
Additionally, while cross-sector collaboration is essential, professionals often work in silos, limiting opportunities for cross-organisational learning.
The national mentoring program supports careers and the NRM sector. It provides:
So far, the mentoring program has received great reviews from the participants, with over 130 staff matched in mentoring partnerships from NRM organisations across the country.
Justine Graham, Principal Program Manager NRM for Local Land Services (NSW), is participating in the national pilot as both a mentor and mentee. She said the program is already proving to be a valuable opportunity.
“I’m really excited to be part of the National NRM Mentoring Program. It’s a fantastic chance to connect with NRM colleagues and support career development across our national sector. I have already met with both of my matches, and the mentoring resources provided have made those early conversations easy, structured and genuinely enlightening,” Justine said.
The national rollout builds on the successful program delivered by Queensland’s NRM sector from 2024. The success of that program can be seen in the results below and NRM Regions Australia anticipates similar results from the national trial:
High satisfaction and engagement
Professional and leadership growth
Long-term impact
Australia’s regional NRM organisations are on a mission to develop the capacity of our people to lead at all locations, at all levels and at all times.
Join the 2027 National NRM Mentoring program as either a mentor or mentee for:
Mentors have leadership and professional experience and consider themselves a strong role model.
As a mentor you will:
Mentees want to grow their leadership capacity by learning from a mentor within the NRM sector and who can commit to 2 hours a month for the 10 months of the program.
Join us Thursday 29 October 2026 | 3-3.45pm AEDT for an information session about the 2027 program. Hear insights from a mentor and mentee who participated in last year’s program, how the algorithmic mentor-mentee matching works, the time commitment needed to participate, and how to complete an EOI.
Register here to attend (or receive a link to the recording)
“There is significant documented evidence that shows mentors get almost as much value out of mentoring programs as the mentees. This was certainly my experience last year when I was a mentor for two people through the NRMRQ program – it was so fantastic to connect with others in the sector, share experiences and grow together.”
Please submit your EOI via the Sign up button above or here.
EOIs are open from Wednesday 7 October 2026 and close Friday 20 November 2026.
Yes – its on Thursday 29 October 2026 | 3-3.45pm AEDT
Join us for this information session for insights from a mentor and mentee who participated in last year’s program, how the algorithmic mentor-mentee matching works, the time commitment needed to participate, and how to complete an EOI.
Regional NRM organisational participants and their CEOs have raved about the benefits of participating in this program.
Register here to attend (or receive a link to the recording)
To deliver the mentoring program, NRM Regions Australia and NRM Regions Queensland have partnered with Brancher, a company that uses a science-based mentoring platform that connects compatible mentees and mentors to provide them with support throughout their mentoring journey.
The mentoring program is a structured 10 month program running through 2027. The program involves mentors and mentees meeting with each other at least once per month and completing five online training modules (each less than 20 minutes) over the course of the program.
There are also three 90 minute online workshops for both mentees and mentors, to help you both get the most from the program and also network with your peers.
Brancher’s science-based matching algorithm means you can expect to be matched with someone who will stretch and challenge you – and help you realise your potential.
The algorithm takes into account your career stage, goals, skills, area of work and importantly – your personal preferences and attributes through a confidential personality and values assessment.
We estimate a time commitment of two hours per month for 10 months. This includes one, one hour meeting with your mentoring partner each month plus an additional hour of ‘self-work’ including preparing for the meeting and conducting follow-up actions.
Research shows that mentees often experience increased job satisfaction, improved confidence, reduced strain (a significant predictor of burnout) and improved career outcomes including promotions.
If you are looking to stretch and challenge yourself with the help of a mentor and you can commit to the expectations of this program – sign up today.
Mentees should be looking to learn from a mentor and to take their professional growth to the next level.
Research shows mentors often report greater job satisfaction, improved coaching skills, increased job performance and a great sense of reward and satisfaction for ‘paying it forward’.
If you are looking to give back, to learn more about yourself, to improve your leadership, mentoring and coaching skills and you can commit to the expectations of this program – sign up today.
Mentors who are ready to commit to the 10-month program of meeting monthly with a mentee and attending our virtual workshops. On average, your commitment will be 2 hours per month. We’re looking for people who have sufficient leadership and professional experience and who consider themselves a strong role model of the NRM sector’s leadership capabilities.
If you are having self-doubt about whether you have something to offer, trust us – you do! So please apply!
We expect to notify all applicants in late January – early February 2026. The program is scheduled to run for the 10 months from February – November 2027.
Yes you can – provided you meet the eligibility criteria as outlined above. Simply fill out the form as both a mentee and mentor.
We encourage everyone to apply however we do have a limited number of spaces available, also as this is underpinned by a science-based matching algorithm there will be cases where ideal matches won’t occur. We usually receive more EOIs from mentees than mentors, so depending on the number of applications we receive, there may be some people who won’t fit into this year’s program.
Provided you are eligible, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to your application, we simply want to try and find you the best mentoring partner for you.
For both mentees and mentors, if you have not been accepted into the program that means that unfortunately this year, we did not find anyone who would be a great fit for you and what you’re wanting to get out of the program. We usually receive EOIs from more mentees than mentors.
Contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Hear from our mentors and mentees
