Sustainability Loan
A Sustainability Loan can help you secure the future sustainability of your existing Queensland based primary production business.
Key program information
$120m FY 2023-24
Total Sustainability and First Start Loan funding
Up to 20
Year loan terms
Up to $1.3m
Loan amount available
Interest rate
Low, fixed rates for 1, 3 or 5 years
No fees
No charges or fees on loan
1 July 2023
New round of funding available opens
Program funding
Total funding available
$120,000,000
Total funding approved
$45,162,484.98
as at 1 December 2023.
Sustainability Loans for primary producers
Sustainability Loans can help you to invest in the latest infrastructure to create a viable future for your farming business including activities that improve farming system sustainability, natural resource sustainability and financial sustainability.
What can I use the loan for?
You can use a Sustainability Loan to:
- upgrade, expand or diversify your current operation to improve productivity and long-term profitability, create jobs and boost private sector investment
- undertake drought preparedness activities and invest in infrastructure that improves drought and disaster preparedness
- improve irrigation and establish additional water points to improve efficiency
- purchase capital equipment to meet environmental and climatic challenges, including predator fencing and renewable energy, measures to improve outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef and measures which could reduce net carbon emissions
- invest in biosecurity measures
- implement value adding or supply chain initiatives.
Interest rates
View the current interest rates here.
Loan assessment and security
QRIDA will assess applications for the 2023-24 round of funding in the date order they are received complete up to 30 June 2024 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 and livestock.
QRIDA may consider joint lending options with your bank or other commercial lenders.
When assessing your loan application, we always discuss this with you and your commercial lender.
Can I use the Sustainability Loan to construct on-farm rural worker accommodation?
Yes. Building of small-scale rural worker accommodation on-farm is an eligible activity if the applicant can demonstrate that it meets relevant Planning Act requirements and other loan criteria. Temporary changes to the State planning framework (until December 2025), have been introduced to allow an exemption for small scale rural workers’ accommodation (less than 20 workers) to proceed without a material change of use development approval, when meeting certain criteria. For more information visit the Queensland Rural Workers’ Accommodation Initiative.
Next steps
Speak to your Regional Area Manager or check your eligibility by reading the guidelines below.
Sustainability Loans for commercial fishers
Sustainability Loans provide you with concessional finance up to $1.3 million to help secure the future sustainability of your existing Queensland based commercial wild-catch fishing business.
What can I use the loan for?
You can use a Sustainability Loans to:
- install catch and other equipment to improve environmental outcomes, help improve the Great Barrier Reef and reduce net carbon emissions
- invest in equipment and measures to better prepare for disaster and support biosecurity efforts
- upgrade, replace or modify equipment, engines or machinery
- implement supply chain initiatives including investing in cold storage facilities or processing facilities
- purchase a new vessel or support employment growth and private sector investment
- purchase additional fishing licences and effort units.
Interest rates
View the current interest rates here.
Loan assessment and security
QRIDA will assess applications for the 2023-24 round of funding in the date order they are received complete up to 30 June 2024 or until available scheme funding is fully committed.
Security must be provided commensurate with the amount of the loan.
Next steps
Speak to your Regional Area Manager or check your eligibility by reading the guidelines (PDF, 267KB).
