Case Study:
Size and Scope of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW

Size & Scope Study

Founded in 1822, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has played a pivotal role in advancing Australian agriculture through competitions, education, and events. The RAS also oversees Sydney Showground, which hosts around 100 major national and international events annually, including music festivals, sporting events, exhibitions, and trade shows. Its premier event is the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The RAS engaged IER to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating the extent and impact of its operations. The goal was to understand the economic benefits derived from its activities at the Showground and the broader social effects within New South Wales.

Having conducted this assessment several times, the report highlights the RAS’s economic contributions and job creation while also exploring its wider community impact. This encompasses events such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show, major gatherings at Sydney Showground, the Sydney Royal Competitions and RAS Education Program. Furthermore, it underscores the contributions of the RAS Foundation through scholarship programs, education and training initiatives, and grants that benefit rural and regional communities.

With close to 1.8 million attendees annually, the study revealed that the activities generated by the RAS support more than 4,900 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and contribute more than $750 million in value added to the Sydney economy. Since the prior study conducted by IER in 2015, the value added to the Sydney economy has increased 23% from $616.7 million whilst the number of supporting FTE jobs has increased 5%.