The RADG was established in the Institute for Environmental Sciences at Murdoch University in 1985. Its aims are to investigate the problems of small, indigenous communities in remote areas of Australia, and to develop appropriate technologies to solve those problems and improve the living conditions for the indigenous people in those communities.

The RADG Advisory Committee consists of indigenous, government, industry and community representatives.The RADG established the Environmental Technology Centre in order to provide an appropriate research and teaching location for integrated environmental technologies, and to educate and inform the public about environmental issues facing remote indigenous communities in Australia.

The ETC's activities have expanded since its establishment to include research into application of environmental technologies to developing countries and urban communities as well as remote areas. The RADG is the specific research group associated with the ETC, but the Centre's staff also develop and work on projects not directly linked to the RADG.The RADG projects typically involve working with a wide range of indigenous communities across Australia as well as the following organisations:

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Commission
• Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure Unit
• Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)
• Argyle Diamond Mines
• Centre for Appropriate Technology
• Curtin Indigenous Research Centre
• Department of Indigenous Affairs
• Office of Aboriginal Health
• Power and Water Authority of NT
• Pundulmurra College