Regional and Rural Provider

What this mark certifies

This mark confirms that a business is genuinely anchored outside the capital cities, with its principal operation and the majority of its workforce located in a regional, rural or remote area. It supports customers, buyers and funders who prefer to back regional enterprise and the local employment it sustains.

The mark certifies location and workforce, not merely a registered address. A metropolitan business that lists a regional postal address does not qualify, because the mark requires the principal place of operation and the majority of the workforce to be genuinely located in the regional area.

Certification requirements

• The principal place of operation is located outside a capital city greater metropolitan area, in an area classified as regional, rural or remote under a recognised geographic classification.

• A minimum of 50% of the workforce is based in the regional, rural or remote location.

• The business holds a current Australian Business Number.

Evidence required

• Address and premises evidence for the principal place of operation.

• Workforce location records.

• ASIC or Australian Business Register records.

• A signed declaration.

How it is assessed

The certifier verifies the principal operating location against the recognised geographic classification and confirms that the workforce location threshold is met. The certificate records the certified location.

Re-verification and monitoring

Certification is valid for twelve months and is subject to annual re-verification of the principal operating location and the workforce threshold.

Grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation

Certification is refused, suspended or revoked where the principal place of operation relocates to a metropolitan area, or where the workforce located in the regional, rural or remote area falls below 50%.

Contractual obligations on the badge holder

In addition to the core terms of the CAQA Certified Licence Agreement in Section 4, a holder of this mark agrees to the following obligations specific to this badge.

1. 1

   The holder must maintain its principal place of operation in the certified regional, rural or remote area, and a minimum of 50% of its workforce in that area, throughout the licence term.

2. 2

   The holder must notify CAQA in writing within fourteen days of any relocation of the principal place of operation, or of any change that reduces the regional workforce below 50%.

3. 3

   The holder warrants that the location and workforce information provided is true and complete.