Join your RDA

On this page:

About the Regional Development Australia (RDA) network

Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a national network of committees made up of local leaders who work with all levels of government, business and community groups to support and broker economic development opportunities for their regions.

RDA Committees have an active and facilitative role in their regions and a clear focus on growing strong and confident regional economies that harness their competitive advantages, seize on economic opportunity and attract investment. The charter PDF: 33 KB for RDA Committees outlines this role.

There are 48 RDA Committees which focus on the economic development of their designated region. Their coverage extends to all parts of Australia except the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

In addition there are five state RDA Committees, for NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. These RDA Committees are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The role of the state Committees is to facilitate economic development opportunities for the regions in their state.

The term ‘Region’ in this website refers to both regional and state RDA committees and their area of responsibility. Please refer to RDA jurisdiction maps for information about each RDA Committee’s regional footprint.

RDA Committee positions and appointments

Chair of the Committee

This position is responsible for leading the Committee. The Chair has overall responsibility for setting strategic direction and ensuring that objectives and outcomes are achieved. They will have a hands on role and be active in facilitating economic development opportunities for the region. The Chair also has overall responsibility for ensuring the Committee is well governed. The minister with responsibility for regional development appoints Chairs, in consultation with state, territory and local government counterparts where appropriate.

Deputy Chair and Committee members

These positions provide input into strategic direction setting, contribute to reviewing progress in achieving objectives and outcomes and oversee the effectiveness of governance processes within the Committee. Like the Chair, they also have a hands-on, active role in facilitating economic development opportunities. RDA Committee Deputy Chairs and members are appointed by the Chair. For Deputy Chair appointments, the Chair must obtain agreement from the minister with responsibility for regional development and state, territory and local government counterparts where appropriate.

Applicants for Chair, Deputy Chair and Committee Member positions will generally be regional leaders with vision, drive and business experience who are able to facilitate economic development opportunities and investment for regional communities and create jobs and growth.

RDA Chairs, Deputy Chairs and Committee members are expected to have high standards of conduct and ethics in applying the principles and practices of corporate governance. Appointees to Committees will be required to comply with the requirements of the Funding Agreement with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the department) and the RDA Better Practice Guide, which includes the RDA Code of Conduct and Ethics. Failure to do so may result in removal from the Committee.

While the roles of regional and state RDA Committees are somewhat different, the skills and experience requirements of Chairs, Deputy Chairs and Committee members on all RDA Committees are the same.

Applying to join an RDA Committee

Chair, Deputy Chair and member positions across the national RDA network will occasionally open for applications as vacancies arise or new positions are created.

Applications for Chair positions must be submitted to the department and only when applications are open to fill current or expected vacancies. Chair vacancies are advertised on this page as well as via relevant online and media platforms.

Deputy Chair and Committee member positions are advertised by the RDA Committee’s themselves. Please refer to your local RDA Committee’s website for information about vacancies and how to apply.

Women, First Nations people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

There are no Chair positions currently available

Directors of Regional Development

The Australian Government has established Directors of Regional Development positions within each RDA Committee. This person will have a direct focus on assisting the Committee to deliver the objectives and outcomes defined in the charter. The Director of Regional Development position is described here PDF: 255 KB.

RDA Committees may choose to engage an officer to fill a dual role of Director of Regional Development and Executive Officer, or individual officers to fill each role. Committees may wish to consult the document outlining the differences between each role PDF: 241 KB to assist them in their considerations.

Director of Regional Development and Executive Officer positions across the national RDA network will occasionally open for applications as vacancies arise or new positions are created. Please refer to your local RDA Committee’s website for information about vacancies.

Information about your local RDA Committee

Further information is available about your local RDA Committee.

  • Find out the name of the RDA Committee in your area by reviewing the available maps and going to the RDA Committee's webpage.
  • Contact your local RDA Committee and find out how they support the economic development of their region.

Privacy notice

The department collects information on the RDA Chair application form for the purposes of processing applications to join an RDA Committee. Individual RDA Committees collect information on the RDA Deputy Chair and Committee member application form for the same purpose.

The department and individual RDA Committees are likely to disclose personal information to relevant ministers, state and/or territory departments and, in some cases, relevant local government associations and RDA Committee Chairs for the purpose of considering applications to an RDA Committee. The department and RDA Committees do not routinely disclose personal information to overseas recipients. If you do not provide the information requested, your application may not be able to proceed.

The department's on-line privacy policy contains information regarding complaint handling processes and how to access and/or seek correction of personal information held by the department. The Privacy Officer can be contacted on (02) 6274 6495.

Individual RDA Committees should have a privacy plan for handling personal information.