Support for farmers

Local Land Services provides flood recovery support and advice to impacted landholders, this includes:

• Animal assessment and veterinary advice and assistance
• Livestock feeding and management advice
• Pasture, cropping and horticulture recovery advice
• Plant and animal biosecurity surveillance and advice
• Erosion control and riverbank restoration advice 

Landholders requiring further assistance can contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or via email at recovery@lls.nsw.gov.au. For more information on the program, please see the LLS website.

Grants of up to $25,000 were available for landholders and oyster farmers in declared Local Government Areas (LGAs), who have holdings of at least 10ha of rural land or a Class A aquaculture permit, and receive at least $20,000 in income from primary production per annum.

Applications for the Rural Landholder Grant program closed on 30 June 2023. All activities and expenditure funded under this program must be complete, and all invoices to claim payment must be submitted to the RAA by 30 September 2023.

Visit the Rural Landholder Grant page on the Rural Assistance Authority website for more information. 

Flood-affected primary producers were encouraged to apply for a Special Disaster Grant to access financial assistance to get back operating as soon as possible.

Once approved, eligible primary producers could access $25,000 in assistance up-front, with a further $50,000 in financial assistance available thereafter upon submission of valid tax invoices.

Applications for the Special Disaster Grant for Primary Producers program closed on 30 June, 2023. All activities and expenditure funded under this program must be complete and all invoices to claim payment must be submitted to the RAA by 30 September 2023.

Visit the Special Disaster Grant for Primary Producers page on the Rural Assistance Authority website for more information. 

Rural Aid provides a great variety of assistance to Primary Producers including:

Farm Army

The farm army is a job posting platform for farmers and workers or volunteers. Farmers can post paid or unpaid jobs or offer positions on a contra basis where applicants work in exchange for meals and/or accommodation. Visit the Farm Army website for more information.

Counselling and wellbeing

Their intake line is staffed by trained counsellors that come with a great understanding of the needs of rural people.

Counselling is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm via the Counsellor Intake Line on 1300 175 594.

Financial assistance

Rural Aid can also help with specific support measures to meet primary producers’ individual needs. These are measured on a case-by-case basis. You register for support by filling in the online application form.

Fodder

Rural Aid sources and delivers fodder for primary producers when there is a localised need for assistance. If you are in need of fodder assistance, contact us for more information.

Apply here

Domestic water

Rural Aid coordinates domestic water deliveries to assist farmers in need of household water. All farmers registered with Rural Aid can request a load of domestic water once per quarter, per farm. We will then use a local water carter to deliver a load of potable water directly to your house tank. We can work with your allocated water carter or find a local licenced carter for you. Register your request for a load of water on their website.

Domestic water tanks

Rural Aid provides farmers with the opportunity to apply for a 22,500/23,000 litre domestic water tank as part of Rural Aid’s sustainability initiative.

A new round of this initiative will be opened again at the end of 2023. For more information please go to the Rural Aid website.

Level 1, Suite 2/75 Magellan Street, Lismore

RFCS offers free and independent financial counselling and guidance to eligible farmers and small rural related businesses. They have access to many government programs, grants and other agencies and assess your situation, then either suggest other services to you or support you with current and/or long-term financial planning.

Call them on 1800 344 090 or email info@rfcsnr.org.au.

Aussies Helpers provide a wide range of support for farmers including:

• Feed a Farmer – supplies farmers in need with fresh produce.
• Offer a confidential counselling service either over the phone or a friendly cup of tea.
• Aussie Bush Farming Kids - support with special donations for kids like computer costs, books, boarding school fees, travel costs and more.
• AHVise Remote Kids Educational Support Program - connecting farming kids with retired teachers and tutors to assist them in their education.

 Call them on 1300 665 232 or email admin@aussiehelpers.org.au.

RAMHP walk beside people, helping them to navigate referral pathways and engage with the most appropriate supports. They also have a range of resources and podcasts on taking care of your mental health after a flood on their website.

Our local Lismore coordinator is contactable on 0477 368 183 or email at Stephen.Carrigg@health.nsw.gov.au.

Women on the Land is a not for profit established to create a community network of Northern Rivers woman who are focussed on preparedness. They hold a range of events and workshops throughout the year.

Contact 0408 865 665, email womenontheland@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page.