Grains Research and Development Corporation
GRDC
1990 – present
Statutory research and development corporation that invests levies paid by grain growers, matched by Commonwealth funds, in research, development and extension for wheat, barley, oilseeds, pulses and other grain crops. It is the largest of the rural research and development corporations.
How it came into existence
Established in 1990 by regulations under section 8 of the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989. It took over the work of the separate research councils for wheat, barley, oilseeds and other grains that had operated under earlier rural research legislation.
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 grains research, development and extension
- Plant breeding and crop protection research funding
- Management of grains research levy funds and matching Commonwealth contributions
- Commercialisation and adoption of research outputs
- Advice and reporting to grain growers and the Government
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
- GRDC Board – Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 section 10 with reference to section 73 note (members of the corporation section 16)
- ABN
- 55 611 223 291
Lineage
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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.