RBS help to continue with new RFCS funding round win

Written on the 12 May 2021 by Kelly Higgins

A recent tender win means Rural Business Support (RBS) will continue to deliver the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS). The win means 600 SA and NT farming families will remain supported by RBS, who employs 24 financial counsellors, until 2024.

RBS is still awaiting to hear news on other funding streams being secured to maintain its expanded level of support in rural and regional communities who are still reeling from the triple whammy of drought, bushfires and COVID-19.  Where other services and programs have wrapped up or been withdrawn, RBS is committed to sticking with these rural communities for the long haul.

In recent years RBS has evolved beyond solely delivering the RFCS program as it continues to work with stakeholders in looking for opportunities to further assist rural businesses to deal with adversity and business risk. This work adds value to the RFCS and, ultimately, provides greater support to rural and regional communities.

Over the past 18 months they have grown its services to small businesses and landowners beyond by delivering two additional pilot programs on behalf of state and Federal governments - a Small Business Financial Counselling Program and the Landowner Information Service (LIS).

In just 10 months, the combined programs have helped 74 small business owners to access a $183,000 through the Professional Services Fund to improve their financial viability.

They are currently working with: 

• 200 small business owners across SA and NT to help them alleviate financial distress and plan a way forward for their business and family.
• The Department for Energy and Mining and industry groups to provide free, factual and impartial information to landowners and community members confused about the potential impact of developer or mineral explorer interest on their farming enterprise.

Since the LIS launched in July 2020:

• 13 landowners have received information through the LIS to resolve their uncertainties.
• 21 landowners are working with Brett at the moment as resource company activity evolves.
• 12 landowners have registered for future LIS support.

It has been an extraordinarily tough 18 months for rural communities. It is essential that RBS secures a funding pool that allows it to continue helping rural businesses to get back on track and enact long-term transformational change to underpin Australia's economic recovery.