RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) today advised its variable interest rate for all farm business loans will stay on hold at 5.18 per cent effective from 1 August 2025.
RIC Chief Executive Officer John Howard said RIC’s variable interest rate has remained steady at 5.18 per cent for the past 12 months now, helping customers to better manage and predict their cash flow.
“RIC loans are for good farmers hit by tough financial times outside their control from events like drought, floods and other natural disasters.
“They can also be used to help first farmers purchase, establish or develop their first farm business, and to assist with succession arrangements,” Mr Howard said.
“RIC loans enable farmers to restructure up to half their existing commercial bank debt at a lower interest rate with interest-only terms for the first five years of a 10-year loan term.
“This provides short-term cash flow to manage through tough financial times and ‘breathing space’ to plan, fund risk mitigation activities and adapt practices to be ready and prepared for potential future business impacts.”
In the seven years since RIC was established on 1 July 2018, it has settled almost 3,400 loans for Australian farmers valued at more than $3.62 billion as at 30 June 2025.
RIC currently has $349.7 million for new farm business loan funding available until 30 June 2026.
Media Contact: E media@ric.gov.au | M 0435 168 885
About RIC
RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) is an Australian Government farm business lender providing low-interest loans for farmers and farm-related small businesses in financial need to strengthen Australian agriculture. RIC loans can be used for management, recovery and future proofing following severe business disruption due to drought, natural disasters, biosecurity issues or other significant market events.
RIC loans can also help farm businesses to establish farm businesses for first generation farmers or succession planning for next generation farmers. RIC’s vision is to build thriving regional communities. Since 1 July 2018 RIC has settled 3397 loans valued at more than $3.62 billion as at 30 June 2025.