Financial support
Rural Financial Counselling Service
Service and support is also available from the Rural Financial Counselling Service by calling 1800 686 175 or by speaking to a local financial counsellor – offices are located across Victoria and counsellors can visit a business or residence to provide advice.
| Service | Phone | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Financial Counselling Service – North East | 1300 834 775 or (02) 6057 5777 |
Head office: Wodonga Counsellors in Shepparton, Numurkah, Benalla and Seymour. |
| Rural Financial Counselling Service – North West | 1300 769 489 or (03) 5022 0799 |
Head office: Mildura Counsellors in Bendigo, Donald, Mildura and Swan Hill. |
| Rural Financial Counselling Service – Western | 1300 735 578 or (03) 5572 4540 |
Head office: Hamilton Counsellors in Ballarat, Cobden/Terang, Colac, Horsham and Warrnambool. |
| Rural Financial Counselling Service – Eastern | 1300 045 747 |
Head office: Leongatha Counsellors in Ellinbank, Maffra and Bairnsdale. |
Financial support programs
| Support | Description | More information |
|---|---|---|
Farmers’ Drought Fund This program delivers additional drought support for farm families and communities under two components. | Household financial relief – CWA of Victoria Drought Relief program The Country Women’s Association (CWA) of Victoria is providing household relief up to a maximum of $3,000 per individual applicant and/or household and is available for farming families, farm workers and contractors that are drought-affected and reliant on farming as their primary source of income. This program is open to eligible farming families, farm workers and contractors in the following locations: Wellington and East Gippsland Eligible farm businesses located in Wellington Shire and East Gippsland Shire. Far North West Victoria – Millewa Eligible dryland farm businesses located in the far North-West corner of Victoria, generally known as the Millewa and surrounding areas. This incorporates the following towns and locality areas in the Mildura Shire: Carwarp, Cullulleraine, Lindsay Point, Meringur, Merrinee, Neds Corner, Wargan and Werrimull. Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Eligible irrigation farm businesses, including those that have transitioned from irrigation production systems to dryland production since 1 July 2018, located in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID). | For more information and to access the CWA of Victoria Drought Relief program: Visit cwaofvic.org.au/drought-relief. Call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186. |
$12 million for an On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant program to invest in on-farm drought preparedness and resilience, and farm business planning. This program is open to eligible farm businesses in the following locations: Wellington and East Gippsland Eligible farm businesses located in Wellington Shire and East Gippsland Shire. Far North West Victoria – Millewa Eligible dryland farm businesses located in the far north west corner of Victoria, generally known as the Millewa and surrounding areas. This incorporates the following towns and locality areas in the Mildura Shire: Carwarp, Cullulleraine, Lindsay Point, Meringur, Merrinee, Neds Corner, Wargan and Werrimull. Goulburn Murray Irrigation District Eligible irrigation farm businesses, including those that have transitioned from irrigation production systems to dryland production since 1 July 2018, located in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID). | For more information and to access the On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant program: Call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425. Visit ruralfinance.com.au. | |
| Local Government Service Support Payment | This payment will provide local governments with flexibility to support drought affected farming businesses and their communities in 2019–2020. The payment is available for East Gippsland, Wellington and Mildura shires. | More details will be available soon. |
| Farm Machinery Improvement Vouchers | Grants to assist farm businesses in the Millewa and surrounds to maintain essential on-farm machinery and equipment to meet key operational requirements and prepare for the 2020 growing season. | More details will be available soon. |
| Domestic and Stock Bore Licence Fee Waiver | The Victorian Government is waiving the $235 application fee for new domestic and stock bore construction licences (BCL) for landholders in eligible areas of Victoria. This initiative will help landholders secure their domestic and stock water supply needs in areas experiencing drought and dry conditions. The program is available to landholders in Wellington and East Gippsland shires and the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District region from 2 October 2019. | For more information, or to apply for a new bore construction licence: Visit waterregister.vic.gov.au. |
On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme | The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is now available to assist farmers impacted by drought and dry seasonal conditions invest in urgently-needed on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs. The rebate funding is being made available by the Australian Government. The Scheme provides a one-off 25 per cent rebate up to $25,000 (GST exclusive) to eligible primary producers for the costs associated with the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare needs and improves resilience to drought. The Scheme is available for the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock and will close on 30 June 2020 or when the funding is fully allocated, whichever comes first. The Scheme is available to eligible farm businesses in the following Local Government Areas:
Please note: Farm businesses outside of the above Local Government Areas can make an application if they can demonstrate a critical water need for livestock resulting from current seasonal conditions. These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. | Call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425. Visit ruralfinance.com.au. |
Small Business workshops and bus | Planning workshops and mobile mentor services to support small businesses in Central and East Gippsland. | Call Small Business Victoria on 13 22 15. |
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) | Additional funding to support the RFCS provide free financial counselling to farmers and small related businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship. Counsellors can assist applicants to apply for the Farm Household Allowance. | Call 1800 686 175 (toll free) or call: Western RFCS Eastern RFCS North East RFCS North West RFCS |
Farm Household Allowance (Australian Government)^ | The Australian Government makes an income support payment available to eligible farmers and their families experiencing financial hardship. | Call 132 316 or visit the Human Services website. |
Farmer Assistance Hotline (Australian Government) | Information on the Australian Government's support services available to farmers and rural communities. | Call 132 316 or visit the Human Services website. |
Farm Debt Mediation | The scheme makes it compulsory for banks and other creditors to offer mediation to farmers before commencing debt recovery proceedings on farm mortgages. | Call the Agriculture Victoria Information Line on 136 186 or visit our Farm Debt Mediation page. Email: farm.debt@ecodev.vic.gov.au |
Regional Investment Corporation Farm Business Concessional Loans (Australian Government) ^ | The Australian Government has established the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC). From 1 July 2018, farmers will need to apply to the RIC for the Australian Government’s farm business concessional loans. The RIC will offer two loan products for eligible farm businesses in Victoria: Drought Loans and Farm Investment Loans | Call 1800 875 675. |
^ Eligibility criteria and loan amounts have recently changed.
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