As a specialist administrator of government financial assistance programs including loans, grants, rebates and subsidies, the RAA plays an active role in contributing to farming and rural policies and provides advice to the Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW.
The organisation is governed by the Rural Assistance Act 1989 and is a statutory body under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (NSW). The Chief Executive is a statutory senior executive under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (NSW).
The RAA works within the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, which focuses on protecting, supporting and developing the state's primary industries, mining sector and regions.