Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
FRDC
1991 – present
Statutory research and development corporation that plans and invests in research, development and extension for Australia's commercial wild-catch fisheries, aquaculture, recreational and Indigenous fishing, funded by Commonwealth contributions and fishing industry levies and contributions.
How it came into existence
Established in 1991 by regulations under section 8 of the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989, succeeding the Fishing Industry Research and Development Council and the Fishing Industry Research Trust Account arrangements for funding fisheries research.
Legislation: Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989 (now the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989)
Changes during its life
- 2024The Primary Industries Research and Development Regulations 2024 became the instrument continuing the corporation under section 8 of the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989.
Main functions
- Investment in fisheries and aquaculture research, development and extension
- Research supporting fisheries management and sustainability
- Research for recreational and Indigenous fishing sectors
- Management of industry contributions and matching Commonwealth funds
- Communication and adoption of research results
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
- Type of body
- Corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Accountable authority
- FRDC Board – Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 section 10 with reference to section 73 note (members of the corporation section 16)
- ABN
- 74 311 094 913
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.