In accordance with the Budget Process Operational Rules, A Regional Australia Impact Statement (RAIS) should be completed where a policy is focused on, or will be implemented solely in, regional Australia. A RAIS should also be completed where a policy applies to both regional and metropolitan Australia and its impacts, implementation or effectiveness differs in and across regional Australia.
A RAIS allows policymakers to demonstrate how proposals put to Cabinet align with the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework (RIF), which guides the Government’s approach to investing in regional people, places, services, and industries and local economies. RAIS provide assurance to decision makers that appropriate consideration has been given to how proposals will impact regional, remote and rural Australia (including Australian Government administered Territories) differently to metropolitan Australia.
The RIF applies across the Australian Government, and all ministers, departments and agencies are responsible for ensuring appropriate alignment with its principles and priorities. Departments and agencies are responsible for considering if their proposal should include a RAIS, and for drafting their RAIS utilising the template and guidelines provided below
RAIS template
Departments and agencies can use the following template to structure their RAIS. The template is provided as guidance only and formatting can be adjusted to suit the content of the Submission and number of proposals being put forward.
RAIS guidelines
Departments and agencies developing Cabinet Submissions and New Policy Proposals should refer to the following RAIS guidelines, which outline the purpose of a RAIS and assist in the identification and assessment of regional impacts in alignment with the RIF.
Information sources
Departments and agencies can demonstrate the impacts of a proposal on regional Australia (including Australian Government administered Territories) by using evidence in the form of data, facts or modelling. The following information and data sources may be of assistance to departments and agencies conducting a RAIS or a more detailed analysis of regional impacts in their NPP or Submission.
Regional Development Australia committees
Outside of the Budget process, the department can also assist agencies to engage with the Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees.
RDA committees are a long-standing Australian Government initiative. With 50 committees covering all of regional Australia, they are a professional source of local knowledge that can help inform decisions about programs and policy.
In line with the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework, RDA committees take an inclusive approach to regional development, covering people, places, services and industries and local economies – they can assist across a broad range of policy areas.
Contact
While deciding whether their proposal should include a RAIS and drafting their RAIS is the responsibility of individual departments and agencies, general questions on the RIF or RDA committees may be directed to: RegionalOutreach@infrastructure.gov.au.