RURAL FINANCIAL COUNSELLING SERVICE

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Southern Queensland provides free, impartial and confidential planning and support services to primary producers and farm businesses who are:

• experiencing or at risk of financial hardship
• located in the Southern Queensland area.

The primary role of the service is to support eligible primary producers and farm businesses to:

• address immediate financial/cashflow challenges
• improve business profitability or help undertake business restructuring activities, and
• improve longer-term financial well-being and business resilience.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Our local rural specialists can come to your farm or rural business and help you:

• understand your financial situation, including any underlying problems
• identify your immediate financial options and discuss longer-term goals to improve your financial position
• assist you to navigate through formal or informal Farm Business Debt Mediation processes
• assist you to apply for government programs and financial assistance that will support your return to self-sufficiency
• assist you to apply for the Farm Household Allowance
• represent you, and advocate for your rights and needs, in negotiations with financiers and creditors
• assist you to prepare for meetings with professionals
• refer you to appropriate professional advice and support options when required
• develop your financial skills, knowledge, and confidence
• improve your decision making, ensuring that you continue to make the decisions relating to your business
• work with you to develop business plans and strategies suitable for your enterprise and support and monitor the implementation of these strategies.

Our team of qualified rural specialists provide discreet support when challenges arise. By engaging with us early, such as when cash flow first starts to get tight, we can help you get the best results. However, we can also help you at later stages of your business journey. For further information, or for a confidential introductory chat, please contact your local Rural Financial Counsellor below.

OUR RURAL TEAM

Our Rural Financial Counsellors are located throughout the Southern Queensland area:

• Central Queensland
• Wide Bay / Burnett
• South East Queensland
• Darling Downs / South West Queensland.