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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Farmers’ Drought Fund | To deliver additional drought support for farm families and communities under two components:
The program will be open to families and eligible farm businesses in Wellington and East Gippsland shires, the Milllewa region and the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District region. | 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 waiver provides $235 in fee relief for applicants constructing new domestic and stock bores to provide new water in areas experiencing drought and dry conditions. The program will be open to farmers in Wellington and East Gippsland shires and the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District region. | More details will be available soon. Visit waterregister.vic.gov.au. |
Pasture Recovery and Management Grant Program | A grant of up to $5,000 (ex-GST) is available to assist eligible farm businesses implement pasture restoration and other land management activities that may aid in pasture recovery. Eligible farm businesses are required to provide at least dollar for dollar matching funding co-contribution. The program will accept applications for expenditure incurred on or after 1 January 2019. The program is available to eligible farm businesses located in East Gippsland and Wellington Shires. | Call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.com.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 or visit ruralfinance.com.au. |
On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support Grants | Grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible farm businesses in Central and East Gippsland and Northern and North West Victoria. Eligible farm businesses are required to provide at least dollar for dollar matching funding co-contribution. The grants will assist farm businesses implement on-farm infrastructure that improves drought management and preparedness. The program is now available to eligible farm business in the following Local Government Areas:
| Call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or 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 or visit Regional Investment Corporation. |
^ Eligibility criteria and loan amounts have recently changed.
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