Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sydney is part of a Federal Government initiative that seeks to create strong, confident and vibrant regions. RDA Sydney provides support, promotion and advocacy for regional NSW through the NSW RDA Network.
We are proud to support, promote and be part of a network of 13 RDA Organisations across NSW.
Visit RDA Far West
Visit RDA Murray
Visit RDA Orana
Visit RDA Riverina
Visit RDA Northern Inland
Visit RDA Northern Rivers
Visit RDA Mid North Coast
Visit RDA Hunter
Visit RDA Central Coast
Visit RDA Sydney
Visit RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven
Visit RDA Central West
Visit RDA Southern NSW & ACT
Latest News
Read the latest news from government, the NSW Regions and RDA Sydney
What if we’ve been thinking about water all wrong?
From exploding balloons to restoring degraded waterways, a Central Coast workshop has challenged conventional thinking about how we manage water on the land, and what that could mean for the…
2026 Social Enterprise Summit, Festival & Regional Roadshow
The Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA) is taking its 2026 Social Enterprise Summit & Festival beyond Sydney, with a new regional roadshow bringing businesses, community leaders and…
NSW data centre inquiry puts cumulative impacts and community benefit on the agenda
A NSW parliamentary inquiry has made 26 recommendations on data centres, with cumulative impacts, water costs and local benefit high on the list. They are issues the RDA NSW &…
Strong ties, strained trust: regional Australia’s social cohesion gap
Regional Australians trust their neighbours more than city residents do, but trust their institutions less. New research from the Regional Australia Institute maps that gap and sets out what it…
$81.9 million disaster funding package targets flood risks and critical infrastructure across NSW
From flood mitigation in Lismore to safer airport access in Port Macquarie and earthquake preparedness in the Hunter, regional NSW communities are set to benefit from the latest round of…
Local Land Services Demonstration Farm Open Day – Richmond
Discover the latest in agricultural innovation, sustainable farming and land management at the Greater Sydney Local Land Services Demonstration Farm Open Day. Bringing together producers, landholders, researchers and industry professionals,…
Regional NSW exporters shine as Gundagai Lamb takes out state’s top award
From premium lamb produced in the Riverina to advanced manufacturing in Griffith, bespoke furniture in the Illawarra and artificial intelligence developed in Newcastle, six regional NSW businesses have emerged as…
Skilled visa pathways and migration updates
The Business, Industry and Regional Outreach (BIRO) Health team will host a free online information session for health sector employers and organisations seeking to address workforce shortages through skilled migration.…
Regional Action. Shared Impact
Across NSW and the ACT, RDAs are helping turn regional priorities into practical outcomes, from critical infrastructure and workforce development to housing, transport, STEM pathways and women’s leadership.
This video showcases a selection of projects and initiatives from the past 12 months, highlighting how the RDA network connects communities with government, investment and delivery partners.
Partnering with RDA NSW & ACT means gaining access to a network that is agile, highly connected and deeply invested in the future of regional Australia.
RDA Charter
NSW & ACT RDAs are part of a national network of organisations funded by the Federal government to build strong, confident, and vibrant regions. They do this by influencing and facilitating economic development in their regions.
The deliverables and role of the RDAs is outlined in the RDA Charter, announced by the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon Kristy McBain MP, in July 2023.
Supporting NSW Regions
RDA Sydney supports the NSW RDA network to grow strong and confident regional economies that harness competitive advantages, seize economic opportunities, and attract investment.
We do this by working with city-based stakeholders and the NSW RDA network to identify and support economic development opportunities for the regions through partnerships and connections.
NSW & ACT Economic Snapshot
New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to 8.628 million people and has the largest number of active businesses with more than 900,000 registered in 2023. NSW & ACT as a region contribute nearly $744 billion to the national economy, accounting for around a third of the nation’s economic output, with the largest contributing sectors being financial and insurance services; professional, scientific and technical services; health care and social assistance; construction; and education. NSW has the largest and most diverse regional economy of all Australian states, and ranks around 37th in the world’s largest economies, above countries such as Denmark, South Africa, and New Zealand.
The NSW and ACT regions bring a diverse range of economic strengths to the State and Territory, with growth driven by leading industries including agribusiness, resources and mining, defence, tourism and hospitality, freight and logistics, healthcare and social assistance, and education and training.
NSW & ACT’s greatest economic asset is its people. The region has a culturally diverse and knowledge intensive economy, with approximately 28% of its residents born overseas and speaking a language other than English at home, and more than 80% holding a non-school qualification. At the tertiary qualification level, there is a strong dominance in accounting, business management, general nursing, programming and teaching.
Grants
On this page you will find a selection of both NSW and Federal Governments grants aimed at helping Australian businesses succeed. There are a number of grants available across a range of industries and applications. Visit business.gov.au to view all grants and connect with a range of experts who can advise and assist with submissions.
Image credit: Destination NSW
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