About Us

Who is NRIA?

In 2009, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) hosted a forum of new industries where participants recognized the benefits of information sharing and cooperation with others. Industry leaders agreed on the need for an industry alliance, representing new and emerging Australian rural industries, to maximize the economic benefits Australia gains from such industries and to encourage new industries. This stimulated the development of New Rural Industries Australia (NRIA).  The organisation is a company, limited by guarantee, with a board of directors, a membership as well as a rapidly growing number of subscribers.

The NRIA is NOT an industry body of industry bodies, nor does it replace existing industry bodies. We are here to provide an additional link, an additional supply of information and assistance, and also to provide a network of like-minded, innovative people, working to start, develop, build or further expand one or more Australian new rural industries. The NRIA provides individual participants and smaller industry-specific groups with a far more powerful voice and the collective strength to lobby much more effectively. We also work to promote the new rural industries and build the public demand for our diverse products.

Purpose

The purpose of the NRIA is to facilitate the development and building of capacity of new and innovative Australian rural industries.

Subscribers/Followers

A large percentage of the NRIA services, such as their magazine, forum, blogs, are made freely available. To receive these services is as simple as a free subscription, requiring only a first and last name, and an email address. The NRIA forums and blogs have been set up specifically so that cross-indudstry collaboration can occur without cost. Anyone can be a subscriber to NRIA services, whether they are an individual industry participants, an association or industry body, an allied industry, institution, corporate body or government body.

Benefits

NRIA works to be a comprehensive, one-stop source for valuable information. We work to keep you abreast of news and issues. We provide opportunity through conferences, workshops, events and our magazine for networking and developing business relationships that build your business. We also assist people to solve problems and improve their bottom line.

Membership

For additional benefits and involvement -- NRIA has membership available. There are three levels of membership currently, and you can get more details by following the Membership tab at the top of the page.

Fees

Most NRIA services are free. Subscription to NRIA's core services and publication is free. There is a cost for NRIA membership, which comes with specific benefits pertinent only to membership, and details on membership fees can be obtained by following the Membership tab at the top of the page.

In 2009, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) hosted a forum of new industries where participants recognized the benefits of information sharing and cooperation with others. Industry leaders agreed on the need for an industry alliance, representing new and emerging Australian rural industries, to maximize the economic benefits Australia gains from such industries and to encourage new industries. This stimulated the development of NRIA as a new organisation. We are now just over 1 year old. We had our first (and very well attended) conference a few months ago, and we already have over 200 members

Building alliances

NRIA has developed an alliance with AgTech. Members of NRIA get major discounts to subscriptions to the Farm Minder system, giving them access to up to date chemical MSDS information, software for recording/tracking chemical usage, compliance with strict OH&S laws and more.

NRIA is an associate member of Plant Health Australia. Any industry body (not individual) registered as a member of NRIA, is an automatic member of Plant Health Australia and its industry can receive the benefits of NRIA's associate membership with PHA if there is a disease or pest outbreak in that industry.

NRIA has developed an alliance with FarmPlus, a company that specialises in developing internet services that combine and collect the current knowledge assets available in new rural industries into one single, easy to access, knowledge portal. This means that in a matter of months there will be a wealth of information on the following subjects accessible through NRIA membership.

NRIA has an ongoing alliance with Meltwater News, an international media monitoring company, that keeps NRIA subscribers and followers with the latest news on new rural industries.