Sustainability Loans provide you with finance up to $1,300,000 to cover capital costs to achieve a more productive and sustainable commercial wild-catch fishing enterprise.

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.

View the current variable and fixed interest rates here.

QRIDA will assess applications for the 2025-26 financial year in the date order they are received complete up to 30 June 2026 or until available scheme lending has been fully committed.

Security must be provided commensurate with the amount of the loan.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Sustainability Loan at least one person in your commercial wild-catch fishing business needs to be a commercial wild-catch fisher.

You are also required to:

• have operated your commercial wild-catch fishing business for at least two years
• have sound prospects for commercial viability and the ability to service the loan in the long term

For purposes related to financial sustainability you are required to demonstrate:

• concessional finance is needed to secure sound prospects for success in the long term ; and
• the proposal is not simply expanding an already financially sound commercial wild-catchfishing business.

For purposes related to natural resource sustainability or fishing system sustainability:

• you should demonstrate the commercial wild-catchfishing business is not in a financial position to readily support the proposal from cash resources, or a ready capability to service increased commercial lending.

• Phone: 1800 623 946
• Email: contact_us@qrida.qld.gov.au