They are funded largely by the government for the purposes of investing in R&D (research and development), with the aim of improving "profitability, productivity, competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Australia's primary industries".

[5][6] Apart from the annual appropriation from the government, funding comes from industry levies and voluntary industry contributions, and government-specific programs, private companies, rural RDCs, state and territory governments and other research providers.

[4] RIRDC was involved in early work on developing canola in Australia, which has gone on to become a major crop, and research for the tropical fruit industry saw it expand to more than 400 Australian commercial growers by 2005.

RIRDC's research helped improve rice yields by 87% per megalitre while reducing water use by 45%.

RIRDC's chicken meat research led to a new live MG vaccine which holds 40% of that global market and reduced losses in the industry.