The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) is investing $75 million over ten years (2017 to 2027) to deliver industry-led research and development collaborations to make doing business in the north easier, more efficient and with less risk.
CRCNA funding is developing new technologies, products and services which address industry issues unique to Northern Australia within the focus areas of: Traditional Owner-led business development; Agriculture; Aquaculture; Water security; and Health service delivery.

Rio Tinto is a mining and metals company operating in 35 countries. We’ve been operating in Western Australia for almost 60 years. Our Pilbara operations produce iron ore, salt and gypsum and we’re progressing a copper-gold project.

We put people at the heart of our business, to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment – where we can achieve our goals, improve our operations and build our business for tomorrow.

We have a WA workforce of around 18,000 full-time employees and relief contractors (including 6.5% Indigenous Australians) - of this figure ~10,700 are fly in fly out (FIFO), with 32% living in regional WA and 60% in Perth.

Our Australian operations rely on more than 2,400 Western Australian suppliers, including 105 Indigenous businesses. We partner with organisations across WA to support healthy, resilient communities and strong local economies. Our aim is to contribute to a shared future and positive legacy, by developing lasting relationships with people and communities where we live and work.

Sitting within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, the Office of Northern Australia (ONA) is the Australian Government's area of expertise for the north. The ONA oversees the Government's northern Australia policy agenda, working to promote sustainable and resilient economic and social development across the region.

The ONA provides policy advice, supports the Northern Australia Ministerial Forum and working group, works collaboratively with the northern jurisdictions, community and industry representatives and its partners in CRCNA and NAIF, and supports First Nations economic participation including through the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group.

Woodside Energy is a global energy company providing the energy that the world needs to heat and cool homes, keep lights on and support industry. Our focus in operations remains on safety, reliability, efficiency and environmental performance. Our three pillars, oil, gas and new energy, each have a role to play in our future. We are reducing our carbon footprint and are working on new energy solutions.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) leads the sustainable development of WA’s regions and agriculture, aquaculture, food and fisheries sectors. We unlock and guide economic opportunities for these sectors and regions, balanced with the stewardship of our land and aquatic resources.
An important part of our role is to support the growth of strong regional communities that are desirable places to live, work and invest.
DPIRD supports a range of programs and sectors in northern WA, including:
• The pastoral, horticultural and irrigated agricultural industries
• The Aboriginal Pastoral Academy
• The East Kimberley cotton industry
• Development of the Ord River Irrigation Area

The Pilbara Development Commission is dedicated to driving sustainable economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in the Pilbara region. We focus on job creation, industry innovation, and infrastructure development, working with government and private sectors to foster a diverse and resilient economy. Our vision is to create vibrant communities supported by strong, diverse industries, ensuring long-term prosperity for all residents.

The Northern Australia University Alliance (NAUA) is a collaborative initiative that brings together three partner universities: CQUniversity, Charles Darwin University, and James Cook University, with a shared vision for the sustainable development of Northern Australia. Our alliance is built upon the mutual aspirations to contribute to the social, environmental, and economic growth of this vibrant region. The north is a significant place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People; in the north it is about building the capacity of its communities to determine their futures.

As proponents of genuine progress in the north, NAUA adopts a place-based focus, understanding that regional universities are pivotal in fostering embedded human development and research for the northern agenda. Through our alliance, NAUA strives to develop and retain the crucial skills, education, and research capabilities necessary for the advancement of Northern Australia’s industries and communities. Our collaborative relationship seeks to explore and progress strategic issues and opportunities that hold immense potential for the region. We are dedicated to identifying areas where collective action generates greater benefits than working in isolation.

Mackay Regional Council’s footprint is more than 7600km2 – five times the size of Brisbane City Council, double Townsville and larger than Cairns and the Sunshine Coast combined.

With a population of more than 125,000, it has a gross regional product of $11.4 billion across a diverse economic base, ranging from agriculture and tourism to manufacturing and mining services.

The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) is a Commonwealth Government financier, providing concessional loans for the development of infrastructure projects in northern Australia and the Indian Ocean Territories.

NAIF has approved more than $4 billion of financing commitments to infrastructure projects across the north. They range from large-scale resource and energy developments to social infrastructure including universities to airport upgrades, and agriculture and aquaculture projects.

NAIF's projects in northern Australia stimulate economic growth by attracting private investment, fostering infrastructure development, and supporting various industries. These projects contribute to the region's overall economic prosperity and diversification.

Skills Insight works with stakeholders who share a passion for improving skills and training across the agribusiness, fibre, furnishing, food, animal and environment care industries. We are a national body with a special interest in supporting and promoting Northern Australia, given its importance for the growth, diversification and ecosystem management for the industries we cover. We are a not-for-profit, government funded, industry-led organisation and one of ten Jobs and Skills Councils. We support the voice of industry in the Australian skills and VET systems.

Westpac is Australia's oldest bank and company. We provide a broad range of banking and financial services, including consumer, business and institutional banking and wealth management services. Westpac Group's portfolio of financial services brands and businesses is focused on our purpose which is creating better futures together. It's what we do, who we are and why we come to work every day.

From ensuring individuals can save, transact and borrow with confidence, to supporting the financial needs of small businesses, multi-national corporates, institutional and government clients, our customers are at the centre of everything we do. Through our unique portfolio of brands comprising Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, BT and RAMS we support and serve over 12.7 million customers

Woodside Energy is a global energy company providing the energy that the world needs to heat and cool homes, keep lights on and support industry. Our focus in operations remains on safety, reliability, efficiency and environmental performance. Our three pillars, oil, gas and new energy, each have a role to play in our future. We are reducing our carbon footprint and are working on new energy solutions.