The Federal election was called on 28 March 2025. As this website is hosted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the site will only be updated with material in line with the Caretaker Conventions. Please note that the content of this site relates to the Australian Government’s existing policy.

Closed regional programs

Securing Raw Materials Program

The Securing Raw Materials Program ($35 million) provides up to $5 million of matched funding to support research and development activities associated with securing a reliable and commercially viable raw material supply for businesses that relocate or expand to regional Australia from a metropolitan area or expand from a different regional area. The program targets businesses that enter into research businesses partnerships with regional universities or other regionally-based research organisations. Applications for Round 2 have closed and successful projects have been announced. Further information is available on www.business.gov.au/srmp2.

Regional Cooperative Research Centre Project

The Regional Cooperative Research Centres Project (RCRC-P) ($6 million) provided grant funding to eligible businesses for industry-led collaborations to tackle issues in prominent regional industries.

Grant recipients received matched funding of up to $3 million. Eligible research projects were based in regional Australia, with at least one collaborating entity that relocated from a metropolitan area for the duration of the project. Based on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources' CRC-P model, RCRC-P funding could be used to pay for research, salaries, student placements, commercialisation, or capital items. Funding has been allocated and the program is now closed.
Further information is available in the Fact Sheet PDF: 517 KB and on www.business.gov.au/crc-p.

Rebuilding Regional Communities Program

The Rebuilding Regional Communities Program is providing $5.7 million to assist communities in their recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects which may be funded include activities, events, programs and services, community infrastructure, building organisational capacity, and developing community resources.

The Rebuilding Regional Communities Program is providing grants in two streams to community organisations:

  • the Micro Projects stream is for small grants of up to $10,000 for communities in regional Australia with fewer than 50,000 people to help sustain local organisations and their work; and
  • the COVID Recovery stream is for grants of up to $50,000 for larger projects which will enhance the recovery of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program is being delivered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal on behalf of the Australian Government. Further information on the program can be found on the Strengthening Rural Communities—Rebuilding Regional Communities website.

Last Updated: 2 August, 2022

COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund

In March 2020 the former government established a $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund to support regions, communities and industry sectors that were disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus crisis. The initiatives announced under the Fund have supported industries including aviation, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and the arts. The $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund has been fully allocated.

What initiatives were part of the Fund?

The following initiatives were part of the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund:

La Trobe Valley Economic Diversification Program

Funded from: 2013–2016

The Latrobe Valley Economic Diversification Program was announced in 2013 and will provide up to $10.85 million to two infrastructure projects to support economic diversification in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria. The projects to be funded are:

  • Warragul Station Precinct Upgrade project—$3.35 million Australian Government funding; and
  • Moe Rail Precinct Revitalisation Project—$7.5 million Australian Government funding.

A list of projects can be found on the grants reporting webpage.

Regional Projects Program

Funded from: 2011–2012

Funding totaling $15.172 million was allocated to 15 projects under the Regional Projects Program and all payments were made in June 2012. A value for money assessment was conducted by the Department on each of the identified projects before a Funding Agreement was executed.

A list of projects can be found on the Grants Reporting/node/33137.

Regional Development Initiative Program

Funded from: 2011–2012

Funding totaling $14.613 million was allocated to seven projects under the Regional Development Initiative Program and all payments were made in June 2012. A value for money assessment was conducted by the Department on each of the identified projects before a Funding Agreement was executed.

A list of projects can be found on the grants reporting webpage.

Regional Development Australia Fund

Funded from 2011–12 to 2016–2017

The Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) was first announced in 2011 and was set up to support the infrastructure needs and economic growth of Australia's regions. The Program funded capital infrastructure projects identified as priorities by local communities. The Program was undertaken in four funding rounds.

A list of projects can be found on the grants reporting webpage.

South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program (SARMS)

The National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on South Australian River Murray Sustainability Program (SARMS) committed $265 million of Australian Government funding to the Government of South Australia to support a healthy working Murray-Darling Basin.

Part A delivered the $80 million South Australian River Murray Irrigation Efficiency and the $40 million South Australian Government Water Purchase Elements (Schedule A), which is managed by the Department of the Environment. It will also deliver the $25 million South Australian Regional Economic Development Element (Schedule B), which was managed by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.

Part B will delivered the $120 million South Australian River Murray Irrigation Industry Assistance Element (Schedule A). The Commonwealth responsibilities of this Element are managed by the Department of Agriculture.

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development's element is complete and was made up of three components:

  • $7.5 million to redevelop the Loxton Research Centre
  • $5.0 million for an Industry-led Research Sub-program
  • $12.5 million for a Regional Development and Innovation Sub-program.