Graduate Agronomist

Join to apply for the Graduate Agronomist (Aerobotics & Quality) - Citrus role at Costa

Costa is a global leading grower, packer, and marketer of premium quality fresh fruit and vegetables. Our success is built on a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability across every part of our business.

Costa has more than 8000 planted hectares of farmland including berries, citrus, avocados, bananas and table grapes. We also operate 40 hectares of hi-tech glasshouses and three main mushroom growing facilities. We have operations in more than 60 rural and regional communities across Australia and in China, Morocco and Laos.

We\'re seeking enthusiastic graduates from a range of disciplines to join Costa as part of our 2025 Graduate intake.

About Costa's Graduate Programs And Roles

All graduates joining the 2026 intake automatically enrol in a leadership development program, which aims to train and develop our future leaders and innovators. As a cohort, you will be provided with a hands-on and educational experience across Costa, that offers unprecedented access to senior leaders, external facilitators and former graduates to mentor and guide your course work and development.

The two options for 2026 graduate roles are as follows:

• Rotational Graduate Program Positions: 18-month duration, comprised of 3 x 6-month rotations in three different produce categories at different locations.
• Permanent (Specialised) Graduate Positions: these are ongoing graduate positions in some of the key talent growing hubs in our organisation, whether on farm or corporate head office.

About This Position

The Agronomist Graduate role is a Permanent (Specialised) Graduate position based in the Sunraysia region, Victoria. As a graduate in this capacity, you will take a dedicated route within Costa's Citrus category. You will commence your career with a dedicated set of responsibilities, under the guidance and mentorship of experienced colleagues and leaders.

Responsibilities

Working closely with farm managers, horticulturists and agronomists and broader teams, this is a specialised role focusing on Aerobotics and Quality. Your key responsibilities will include (but not limited to):

• Deploy and operate drones to survey horticultural crops
• Collect aerial imagery for detecting stress, disease, pest infestations and nutrient deficiencies
• Use aerobotics platforms or similar software to analyse data
• Produce crop health reports with maps showing stressed or problematic zones and comparing aerial data with on-the-ground observations
• Contributing to the development and or improvement of software for data analysis and agricultural management
• Generate actionable insights for farm managers and other key stakeholders
• Support targeted interventions, reducing waste and improving efficiency

Your Opportunity

• Benefit from a structured leadership and development training program
• Gain access to industry leaders and Costa executives
• Play a central role in producing premium quality fruit and vegetables
• Exposure to networks across the industry
• If applicable, relocation support may be provided

Why join us?

We care for our people. People are the heart of Costa. Our employees enjoy some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry, including competitive pay, health, well-being, and further learning and development opportunities. No matter the role, you'll benefit from a caring environment that helps you thrive, grow and connect.

About You

To qualify for this position, you must:

• Be in your final year or have recently finished a bachelor\'s or postgraduate degree relevant to this position
• Have a degree in Agricultural Science and Agribusiness with an interest in agricultural technology
• Hold a valid driver's licence (or will obtain by commencement date)
• Have your own personal reliable transport with relevant insurances
• From time to time, be willing to travel and work in different sites
• Be ready, willing, and available to commence the Graduate Program on February 9, 2026
• Must have full working rights in Australia

We are seeking people who can demonstrate Costa's core values. These are: Determination, Accountability, Passion, Respect and Sincerity.

Successful candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to building a long-term career with a large multinational organisation. You are a team player, with the ability to work independently, plus a can-do, solutions-focused attitude, with a growth mindset and confidence to engage with people at all levels. You should respect and adhere to company policies, while maintaining a safe working environment for all.

Program Timing and Process

Applications for the 2026 Graduate Intake close on 28 September 2025. The selection process will consist of video submissions, psychometric assessments and (virtual) interviews.

More information about the Costa Graduate Programs and available positions is available here.

Locations: Mildura, Victoria, Australia