As I pen this note, I reflect on a year full of purpose, impact, connection and reflection. Almost 12 months ago, our family relocated to the Bega Valley, and what an incredible move it’s been. The privilege I feel each and every day to “live where I love” and to sink my teeth into the opportunities and challenges we all face. There is a strong feeling of coming home, or rather it’s finding our new home and reaching a long-held dream of living and working back in regional Australia, whilst leading our outstanding Institute through a new remote first model.
And 2025 has been yet another significant year for the Regional Australia Institute (the RAI) affirming our position as Australia’s leading think tank on rural and regional issues. Once again, we’ve observed a continuation of what we call the “societal shift” which presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine this nation. Our independent, non-partisan research and evidence-based approach contributed to significant policy discourse, utilising our unparalleled regional networks, reaching record media influence, deepening our industry and government engagement and driving our new 40 for the Regions campaign.
Make no mistake, this work will continue to be our focus in 2026.
As we work towards our Regionalisation Ambition 2032, we know that change takes patience and persistence. Our latest Year 3 Progress Report showed an uptick in 18 of the 25 targets we measure year-on-year, but the upwards movement is slow, not nearly fast enough to realise our goals. Also, this year we introduced a new pillar, Health, to the Ambition framework, a critical enabler to addressing a healthy society and improving the disparity facing our regions.
While we see continued progress in addressing the perennial liveability issues facing us such as adequate housing, leveling education outcomes, growing skilled workforce, and achieving a balanced age range in our populations – these gains are moderate. This results in a patchwork set of results and outcomes, when we know that sharper planning and futureproofing is at our fingertips just waiting to be unlocked.
As you know, the Regionalisation Ambition is our North Star. It guides our work and our mission. It was created by regional people, for regional people and that is why it’s so powerful.
We will persist in pushing for state and federal governments to put regional voices at the forefront when making decisions impacting how regional Australians live, work and play. Our campaign to boost regional progress and encourage politicians and policy makers to carve out a 40 per cent share for regional Australia in all its decision making will continue into 2026.
We know that one-size fits all decision making with an urban focus will not deliver the homes, healthcare and funding regional Australia needs to thrive.
In 2025 our research provided decision makers with key evidence to better understand regional issues and offer practical solutions to support regional Australia to thrive.
Beyond City Limits: Unveiling Income Premiums in Regional Australia busted the myth that working in the regions means having to take a pay cut – in fact the opposite is true.
Answering the Call for Regional Housing report revealed regional housing issues around shortages in approvals, rental access, construction skills and certification and the desire for mixed dwellings. Importantly, it also highlighted communities doing great work to address shortages – banding together as regional communities do.
Towards Net Zero: Building a Legacy delivered the REAL Deal - a framework for governments, industry and communities to put communities at the heart of the energy transition and build a future long beyond the establishment of a project.
In addition, the RAI data analysis made a significant contribution looking at the numbers telling a regional story through our Regional Movers index and Regional Labour Market Updates.
In closing, I want to thank our passionate members, our growing regional network, our partners in government, industry and academia for backing the RAI once again in 2025.
Being back in the regions, I am reminded daily about what makes living in regional Australia so special. It’s not only sharpened my resolve for the work the RAI does, but also the sheer importance of striving for balance in this nation. Life in regions is not secondary to urban living, in fact the pendulum is swinging, and we have the potential to help reshape the future.
It’s a heartwarming experience to witness the innovation and inspiration within the regions, to see problem solving from the ground up. To see the breadth of system thinking emerge in new and exciting ways, and the interconnectedness of life in regions. I speak on behalf of our dedicated Board and team when I say it’s an honour walk beside you.
Stay safe and stay connected during this festive period and we’ll see you on the other side in January 2026!!!
Liz Ritchie
CEO, Regional Australia Institute