Regional Development Australia

What Regional Development Australia does

Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) is an independent not-for-profit organisation and one of approximately 50 committees in Australia's national RDA network, administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. The organisation supports economic and community development across seven NSW Local Government Areas (Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca Valley, Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Midcoast) plus Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, serving a regional population of approximately 330,325 people, supporting 121,063 jobs, and underpinning $38.041 billion in annual economic output.

RDAMNC delivers a portfolio of programs, research outputs, and data tools rather than a traditional commercial software product. Key offerings include The Welcome Experience (relocation and integration support for essential workers, delivered in partnership with NSW DPIRD), the Regional Innovation Program (with Alt Collective and all seven LGAs), the Country University Centre Norfolk Island, and the AI Taskforce. Data products include the Community Data App, Economy Data App, and an Employment Intelligence Dashboard built on Jobs and Skills Australia's NERO dataset that tracks 355 job types for AI impact. Research commissions include the 2024 Mid North Coast Skills Audit (Charles Sturt University), the Labour Participation Study (Regional Australia Institute), and the Renewables Opportunity Map (Australian National University).

Revenue is derived primarily from Australian Federal Government base funding, supplemented by NSW State Government project funding and a $770 (inc GST) processing fee for its role as the sole Regional Certifying Body for Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa nominations in the region. The go-to-market is community- and stakeholder-led, relying on advocacy, cross-government facilitation, and grant brokering rather than commercial sales channels. The organisation is staffed by approximately five people (CEO, COO, Business Support Officer, Local Connector, Project Support & Communications Officer) and is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors chaired by Louise McMeeking.

Name

Regional Development Australia

Legal name

Regional Development Australia - Mid North Coast NSW

Website

https://rdamnc.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast is an Australian government-funded not-for-profit that supports economic development across seven NSW Local Government Areas plus Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, delivering data tools, skilled migration certification, regional research, and workforce attraction programs to local councils, employers, and communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

akta.pro primary industry

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) & Equivalency Assessment Authorities (EDADAFAL)

Keywords

• Regional development advisory
• Government funding administration
• Skilled migration certification
• Workforce development services
• Community economic programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Macquarie

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Funding: Primary funding from the Federal Government as part of the national RDA network. RDAMNC is administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
2. State Government Project Funding: Project-based funding from the State Government of NSW and other government agencies for specific regional development initiatives.
3. RCB Processing Fees: Processing fee of $770 (inc GST) for Regional Certifying Body advice on 494 visa nominations to assess Annual Market Salary Rate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RDAMNC provides regional development advisory, research, project management, business development, and facilitation services for the Mid North Coast region of NSW, covering seven Local Government Areas. As the sole Regional Certifying Body for the region, it assesses 494 visa nominations. It also delivers service programs such as The Welcome Experience (relocation support for essential workers), data applications (Community and Economy Data Apps), regional research reports, innovation programs, and the Country University Centre Norfolk Island for tertiary education access.

Product overview

Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) is a not-for-profit organization that does not operate a traditional SaaS product but instead delivers a portfolio of regional development programs, data tools, and service initiatives. The core offerings include data applications (Community Data App and Economy Data App) providing demographic and economic statistics; service programs like The Welcome Experience supporting essential worker relocation; research reports including Skills Audits, Labour Participation Studies, and Renewables Opportunity Maps; and initiatives such as the AI Taskforce and Circular Economy programs. The organization also supports tertiary education access through the Country University Centre Norfolk Island and runs innovation support through the Regional Innovation Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regional Certifying Body Service (494 Visa)
• The Welcome Experience
• Community Data App
• Economy Data App
• Employment Intelligence Dashboard
• Country University Centre Norfolk Island

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports 121,063 jobs and $38.041 billion annual economic output across the region
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• University of New EnglandsupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2025Presented at AI Taskforce meeting on sovereign AI platform 'Madgwick' - providing NSW-based infrastructure with access to large language models while maintaining local data control to combat shadow AI usage.
• NBN CosupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Presented at AI Taskforce meeting on local network progress and AI's impact on power grid infrastructure in the Mid North Coast region.
• TelstrasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Presented at AI Taskforce meeting on connectivity challenges and opportunities in regional Australia including AI's effects on internet and power consumption.
• Charles Sturt University (CSU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Commissioned by RDAMNC to conduct the 2024 Mid North Coast Skills Audit and related labour market research. Partnership involves mixed-method data collection including focus groups, desktop research, and surveys with approximately 250 participants.
• NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in delivering The Welcome Experience program. DPIRD trained Local Connectors who assist essential workers with relocation and community integration across the Mid North Coast.
• iQ RenewcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Rail to Kundle initiative - developing a Regional Circular and Manufacturing Precinct at Kundle Kundle. RDAMNC advocates for and supports this circular economy project which aims to reduce carbon emissions and create local jobs.
• Circular AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for circular economy initiatives on Mid North Coast. Collaborates with iQ Renew on the Rail to Kundle initiative and broader circular economy vision.
• Country University CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Led by RDAMNC to establish Country University Centre Norfolk Island, providing first local access to tertiary education on the island. Part of $66.9 million national investment in 10 Regional University Study Hubs.
• Boambee East Community CentresupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Local partner for The Welcome Experience program delivery. Boambee East Community Centre staff present the program and assist essential workers with integration.
• All Local Councils (Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca Valley, Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Midcoast)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with all seven Local Government Areas across the region for Regional Innovation Program, strategic planning, and collaborative regional development initiatives.
• Costa GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presented at Ignite Mini events on technological innovation in agriculture including robotic transporters, protected cropping, and solar energy integration.
• Nutri-Tech SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024World leaders in regenerative agriculture who partnered with RDAMNC for Norfolk Island soil health seminar. Delivered 2-day course to 20 local farmers on nutrition rules, soil health and sustainable farming.
• Regional Australia InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Commissioned by RDAMNC to conduct Labour Force Participation Study. Research revealed Mid North Coast has worst participation rate in NSW at 47.1% (vs 66% for rest of NSW).
• Alt CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with RDAMNC and local councils to deliver Regional Innovation Program supporting local innovators. Includes Ideate workshops, Incubate 8-week program, and accelerator services valued at $3,990 (subsidized to $199 for local innovators).
• Australian National University (ANU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Commissioned by RDAMNC to undertake renewable energy opportunity analysis for Mid North Coast region. Report identifies opportunities for wind, offshore wind, pumped hydro and commercial solar installations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Country Universities Centres Network: National network of regional tertiary education study hubs backed by $66.9M federal investment. RDAMNC operates the Country University Centre Norfolk Island and participates in the same federal funding stream.
• Business NSW: State peak body supporting NSW businesses including in regional areas. Comparable as a regional business support and advocacy intermediary; Helen Mansfield, RDAMNC's Local Connector, was formerly Regional Coordinator for Business NSW Mid North Coast.
• Regional Australia Institute: National independent research and policy body for regional Australia. Directly comparable as a federally-aligned organisation producing research and advocacy on regional economic development, including the Labour Force Participation Study commissioned by RDAMNC.
• National Economic Development Council of Australia (NEDC): Peak professional body for economic development practitioners in Australia. Comparable as a peer network for the same RDAMNC staff and board members working in local economic development functions.

Others

• Local Government NSW: Peak body representing NSW councils. RDAMNC works directly with all seven Mid North Coast councils and engages with LGNSW through the regional development ecosystem; Louise McMeeking previously sat as NSW Government representative on Joint Organisations of Councils.

Emerging players

• Regional Universities Network: Network of seven regional Australian universities. Comparable as a peer addressing regional educational access and labour market outcomes, and RDAMNC partners with several RUN members including Charles Sturt University.

Broad incumbents

• NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development: State government department responsible for regional economic development policy. Comparable as RDAMNC's state-level counterpart and Welcome Experience delivery partner (DPIRD trained RDAMNC's Local Connectors).

Regional players

• Australian Regional Tourism: National peak body representing regional Australia's visitor economy. Lauren Douglass, RDAMNC board member, is CEO of ART, making this a tightly linked peer focused on regional economic development through tourism.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rdamnc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Regional Development Australia