The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is Australia’s only independent think tank solely focused on regional Australia. It exists to ensure all levels of government, industry and community members have access to the information they need to make decisions impacting the future of regional Australia.
Since its inception in 2011, RAI has worked in partnership with government, academia, and community and industry organisations to develop a deep portfolio of research and policy work. This work and these associated relationships have successfully positioned the RAI at the forefront of the regional Australia conversation. RAI is the voice for the regions.
The recent wide-spread shift to working from home or remotely has put a renewed focus on the liveability and prosperity of our regional communities. This has exacerbated the need for a regionally focused economic, social and political agenda.
The Foundation’s grant supports RAI organisational capacity to develop evidence-based research and community engagement leading to better policy outcomes to transform Australia’s Regions. RAI is also actively engaging industry groups to promote business development and employment in Regional Australia.
An important outcome of this research has been the recently released research paper, titled: Regionalisation Ambition 2032 – A Framework to Rebalance the Nation. This has been welcomed by the Federal Government as an important framework to inform regional policy development.
