First Start Loan
A First Start Loan can provide you with concessional finance of up to $2 million to assist you in the initial years of establishing your Queensland based primary production business.
Key program information
$120m FY 2024-25
Total First Start and Sustainability Loan funding
Up to 20
Year loan terms
Up to $2m
Total loan amount available
Interest rate
Low variable and fixed rates for 1, 3 or 5 years
No fees
No charges or fees on loan
1 July 2025
New round of funding available
Program funding
Total funding available
$120,000,000
Total funding approved
$39,851,181.21
as at 1 December 2024.
First Start Loan for primary producers
Take the right step towards your future career in the agriculture industry.
A First Start Loan offers up to $2 million to aspiring producers ready to expand their livestock operation, purchase their first block of land, carry out the family succession plan or achieve standalone viability.
A First Start Loan provides finance to help you:
- expand or buy your first herd of cattle or other livestock
- buy your first farm, including from family members
- become a partner in the family farm
- enter into leasing or sharefarming arrangements
- develop existing or purchase additional property to become viable
- put succession plans in place.
Interest rates
View the current variable and fixed interest rates here.
Loan assessment and security
QRIDA will assess applications for the 2024-25 round of funding in the date order they are received complete up to 30 June 2025 or until available scheme funding is fully committed.
Security must be provided commensurate with the amount of the loan. For most loans a mortgage over land provides adequate loan security. In some instances, loan security may also include other business assets such as water or livestock.
QRIDA may consider joint lending options with your bank or other commercial lenders or vendor finance.
When assessing your loan application, we always discuss this with you and, if applicable, your commercial lender.
Next steps
Speak to your Regional Area Manager or check your eligibility by reading the guidelines below.
First Start Loan for commercial fishers
A First Start Loan will provide you with concessional finance of up to $2 million to assist you in the initial years of establishing your Queensland based commercial wild-catch business.
What can I use the loan for?
A First Start Loan provides finance to help you:
- buy your first commercial wild-catch business, including from family members
- become a partner in a commercial wild-catch business
- acquire and operate a commercial wild-catch fishing business on a staged basis as part of defined longer-term plans
- enter into leasing or share fishing arrangements
- upgrade or build up an existing non-viable commercial fishing business
- put succession plans in place.
Interest rates
View the current variable and fixed interest rates here.
Loan assessment and security
QRIDA will assess applications for the 2024-2025 round of funding in the date order they are received complete up to 30 June 2025 or until available scheme funding is fully committed.
Security must be provided commensurate with the amount of the loan.
QRIDA may consider joint lending options with your bank, other commercial lenders or vendor finance.
When assessing your loan application, we always discuss this with you and, if applicable, with your commercial lender.
Next steps
Speak to your Regional Area Manager or check your eligibility by reading the guidelines below.
