The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) administers concessional loans on behalf of the Australian Government for:
- farm businesses
- drought-affected, farm-related small businesses
The purpose of the loans is to improve the long-term resilience and profitability of eligible businesses.
The RIC is a corporate Commonwealth entity. Its enabling legislation, including the Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018 (the RIC Act), is available on the Federal Register of Legislation website. The RIC has an independent Board whose role is to ensure the proper, efficient and effective performance of the RIC’s functions.
More information on the RIC and its loan products is available on the Regional Investment Corporation website.
Announcement of new loans
Drought Hardship Loan - applications now open
As announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the RIC Drought Hardship Loan is now available. This loan provides financial relief for farmers experiencing severe and prolonged drought.
Find out more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Media release: Supporting farmers and producers facing drought.
This follows the Minister’s announcement of two new loan products through the RIC:
- Drought Hardship Loan
- Marine Recovery Loan (previously the Harmful Algal Bloom and Marine Heatwave Loan).
If you are interested in receiving updates on the Marine Recovery Loan, you can register your interest with the RIC.
Media release: Supporting Australia's farmers and producers facing hardship
For more information about all RIC loan products.
Additional funding and broadening the RIC’s scope
On 29 August 2025, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced an additional $1 billion in new loan funding through the RIC.
The Australian Government is also broadening the RIC’s scope to include assistance for improving climate resilience, boosting sector productivity, and supporting agriculture to be part of Australia’s net zero transition.
Media release: $1 billion funding boost for Regional Investment Corporation
Review of the operation of the Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018 – July 2024
The RIC Act required a review of the operation of the Act to be undertaken and finalised on or before 1 July 2024. The review considered:
- the scope of the RIC’s activities after 30 June 2026; and
- the appropriate governance arrangements for the RIC after that date.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry appointed Dr Wendy Craik AM to undertake the review.
The Review report was provided to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 1 July 2024 and subsequently tabled in Parliament.
Review of the operation of the Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018
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Submissions to the review of the operation of the RIC Act for which we have received permission to make public can be found on the RIC Act Review Have Your Say project page.
On 11 December 2025, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry released the Australian Government response to the Review of the operation of the Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018.
Independent review of the RIC - February 2021
The RIC commenced operation in July 2018. In late 2020 the government commissioned Mr David Tune AO PSM to do an independent review of the RIC to make sure the initial settings and governance were appropriate in light of its initial operating experience.
The review, which was completed in February 2021, considered the:
- suitability and effectiveness of its loan products
- suitability of the current funding model
- overall risk profile of the RIC, with a focus on financial risk.
Independent Review of the Regional Investment Corporation - February 2021
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View the Australian Government response to the Independent Review of the Regional Investment Corporation.