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Primary producer loans delivering major economic benefits for regional Queensland

21 July 2026

The Queensland Government’s productivity loans for primary producers are delivering substantial economic benefits to regional communities across Queensland, an independent economic impact report has found. 

Every $1 million in loan funding provided to a primary producer through the Queensland Government’s Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme (PIPES) supports $6.7 million in regional economic activity over the life of a typical loan. 

Over the 30-year lifetime of the PIPES program, QRIDA has delivered $1.2 billion in concessional loans to Queensland primary producers. This 2024-25 economic impact analysis is based on the 1,368 open loan accounts worth $772.5 million. 

The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) commissioned independent advisory firm BDO to conduct the inaugural PIPES Regional Economic Impact Report 2024-25. 

The independent report measured both direct and flow-on economic impacts of on-farm investments funded under PIPES and the loans supported direct economic contribution of $315.3 million in gross state product (GSP) and 2,715 full-time equivalent jobs. 

The largest economic impacts were linked to beef and sugarcane production, followed by grain and livestock, horticulture and other farming and aquaculture.

Additionally, the benefits were strongest in regions with high agricultural activity, particularly Southern Coastal – Curtis to Moreton, Northern Coastal – Mackay to Cairns, Western Downs and Central Highlands. 

Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last said the PIPES Regional Economic Report highlighted the significant impact loans were having across regional Queensland. 

“This independent report has detailed the major and far reaching economic impacts our primary producer productivity loans are having across the state, from employing more Queenslanders to the flow on effects for regional schools and hospitals – it’s a positive sign for growth in our regions,” Minister Last said. 

“These loans help new farmers break into the agricultural industry and existing producers upgrade their established businesses. Concessional loans like these are instrumental in keeping Queensland’s agricultural industry alive and thriving. 

“Queensland was built on the back of agriculture, it underpins thousands of jobs and is the lifeblood of many rural and regional communities and it is key to the Crisafulli Government that we can deliver real, tangible investment that rebuilds and grows one of our oldest industries. 

“It is positive to see the impact these loans have not just on individual farmers, but the broader communities in which they live and operate.”

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the impact of the loans reflected the Queensland Government’s ongoing support for Queensland’s primary producers.

“Our government is committed to delivering a strong foundation for new farmers to start out and existing producers to modernise their operations to ensure our sector can thrive for decades to come,” Minister Perrett said.

“We know when Queensland’s agricultural industry prospers, regional Queensland succeeds and these loans are clear evidence of the flow on impacts our state feels from a thriving agricultural industry. 

“By delivering productivity loans to our primary producers, we’re improving farming productivity and building resilience for our regional agricultural communities.”

Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Brooke Irwin said the independent report measured both direct and flow-on economic impacts of on-farm investments funded under PIPES.

“We already have the data to show First Start Loans and Sustainability Loans are instrumental in helping Queensland primary producers get started and grow their operations, with more than $1.2 billion invested in farm businesses for over 30 years,” Ms Irwin said. 

“Now this report demonstrates that when QRIDA funds a farmer on the land, we also help support rural and regional towns as farmers invest in necessities like machinery, fuel and freight and create jobs locally. 

“This direct spending and employment multiply all the way through to schools, hospitals and local businesses.”

Loans funded under PIPES include First Start Loans of up to $2 million to help up-and-coming producers get started and grow operations, and Sustainability Loans of up to $1.3 million for existing primary producers to improve the productivity and profitability of their farm businesses. 

The next PIPES Regional Economic Impact Report is scheduled for 2028.

For more information visit QRIDA's Regional Economic Impact webpage.