Support services for the transition available now

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) is an ongoing Australian Government program providing free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship. 
The RFCS is free and confidential. It helps to build financially capable agricultural, fishing and forestry sectors that are profitable, financially self-reliant and better prepared to deal with risks.

RFCS Counsellors can help you:

• understand your financial position
• develop budgets and cash flows to re-assess the viability of your business
• develop an action plan and assist you to take the steps necessary to get you out of financial difficulty
• negotiate with your lenders
• build your financial knowledge, skills and resilience so you can manage potential challenges in the future
• assist you to apply for other government programs and assistance that will support the path back to self-sufficiency

An additional $2.4 million has been committed to the RFCS in Western Australian (WA) to assist those who may be impacted by the transition.

More information on the RFCS.

A farm management deposit (FMD) account allows you to make tax deductible deposits during years of good cash flow, and withdraw them during bad years. This is designed to help Australian primary producers manage their financial risk and meet their business costs in low-income years, by building up cash reserves.

For more information on FMD accounts and withdrawals, visit Farm management deposits (ato.gov.au) and our Farm Management Deposits page.

The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) gives out concessional loans on behalf of the Australian Government for farm businesses, drought-affected small businesses and other eligible businesses. These concessional loans are for the purpose of improving long-term resilience and profitability.

For more information on the Regional Investment Corporation Concessional Loans, please visit Our Loans (ric.gov.au).

Employment Facilitators are trained professionals who provide workforce and employment solutions via the Local Jobs Program. They bring together businesses, employment and skills services and community organisations to connect you with training, jobs and support services.

Their support includes: 

• Connecting you with programs, services, funding opportunities and resources in your local area.
• Providing advice to help businesses get the most out of hiring practices to attract and retain the right staff.
• Work with organisations to develop workforce initiatives and solutions.
• Share information and insights about the skills and workforce priorities and actions in the Local Jobs Plan.

There are several employment facilitators located across WA, which you can find by visiting Western Australia - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (dewr.gov.au).  

Employer Liaison Officers are trained professionals who help large businesses and priority industries, including agriculture, find the staff they need.

They do this through:

• Helping you understand and use government services
• Designing solutions to benefit you and whole industries
• Connecting you to people, services and programs that meet your needs
• Informing participants about the industry, the employer and the available jobs.

For more information on Employer Liaison Officers, please visit Linking people to jobs (workforceaustralia.gov.au).

We understand the transition away from live sheep export trade may be distressing for some people. Change can affect wellbeing, and so there are free services available for support.

There are many social support and wellbeing services available nationally  including:

• family support services
• crisis counselling
• advice and referrals.

The Western Australian Government also provides information about rural support services.