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What we do

Rural Financial Counselling Services are:

  • Free, independent and confidential
  • Staffed by qualified and experienced Rural Financial Counsellors (RFCs) who understand farming and business – our RFCs are required to have a Diploma of Financial Counselling as minimum qualification, and have years of experience in assisting farming businesses
  • For primary producers of livestock, milk, honey, fruit, crops, wool, meat, vegetables, eggs, fish, plants, trees and logs
  • For small businesses who mainly support primary production such as: fencing, shearing sheep, controlling weeds or agricultural pests, managing stock, planting crops etc.
  • Able to assist farm or small agribusinesses experiencing or at risk of financial hardship
  • Able to come to your place of business or you can come and see us.

Assistance when

Rural Financial Counselling Services can assist businesses affected by:

  • Drought/water issues
  • Low commodity prices
  • Natural disasters
  • Structural adjustment
  • Industry downturns
  • Low equity/tight cash flow
  • Difficulties with lenders or access to finance
  • Unpaid creditors/debtors
  • Market disruptions
  • Changes in personal circumstances
  • Farm accidents or illness
  • Share farming/succession agreements/ contracts.

How can we help you

Rural Financial Counselling Services can help you:

  • Understand your financial position and the viability of your enterprise
  • Identify options to improve your financial position
  • Develop a plan to implement your chosen options, and implement that plan
  • Provide information, referrals, and support to access, government or industry grants and programs
  • Assist you to deal (whether through meetings or otherwise) with lending institutions in relation to:
    • Applications and contracts with those institutions; and
    • Processes relating to farm debt mediation
  • Assist you to identify the need for advice from professional service providers, and provide support with preparation for meetings with professional service providers.

News

NE Regional Soil Health Conference

NECMA conference

North East Regional Soil Health Conference - 14 May 2021 at Beechworth is for ALL land managers, agriculture industry groups and soil health service providers in North East Victoria.
Read more ...

Farm Finance getting prepared 2021 Webinar

Farm Finance

The team at the Young Farmer Business Network have put together a series of sessions designed to build skills in financial planning and business resilience for your farm business.
Read more ...

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Typically Australian family farms have a very poor track record in carrying out successful farm succession planning. Research suggests that almost half of existing family farms have not even discussed succession planning with their spouse or their family.

Australian family farms are generally family-owned and the average working age of the farmer at say 52 years of age which is substantially older than the national average for most industries.

 

What is Succession Planning?

Typically it manages the succession process whereby the family farm passes to, or is divided amongst, family members

Often there are siblings not directly involved in the farming operation who also need to be considered.

 

When should Farm Succession Planning commence?

Ideally the conversation surrounding farm succession planning should commence prior to any of the owners children deriving an income or benefit from the family farm

The conversation should always be open and constructive so that it is inclusive of all family members - explore common goals

A formal succession plan should be written at this early stage

 

What aspects need to be considered in Succession Planning for Farmers?

The rights of the senior members of the family to live their twilight years in their chosen manner

The need for all family members to have clarity around the their relative expectations and an agreeance of each others position and outcome in relation to both the business and estate


What outcome should you expect?

To have a common understanding amongst all family members from the earliest possible time in relation to the business succession plan for the family farm / business

To ensure legal and financial transparency throughout the process

To have a written documented succession plan which is congruent with wills, power of attorney and business structure

To provide clear delineation between the assets associated with the "Succession Planning" and assets which may form part of the "Estate Planning"

 

Results:

It is unfortunate that succession planning often does not take place at an appropriate time and is left to the last minute and can become divisive within the family.

The following comments come to us from feedback or survey results from of our recomended Succession Planning consultants;

  • "... We have a general direction and outcome for succession. All family members have been involved in discussions. Timing and process are yet to be determined, however the transfer of management and financial involvement is already occurring.
  • "... sometimes it is a combination of factors affecting decision and each farm is different with financial and family to be taken into consideration ..."
  • "... I think succession planning is the right thing to do. It takes much time, thought & input from all members but once completed, all the family knows what the future holds & can plan their lives accordingly ..."
  • "... 3 years ago our farm completed a formal plan. Our kids are too young now for succession discussions. It is something we will actively pursue in 5-10 years time ..."
  • "... Our consultant had an excellent “feel for” and understanding of farms and families. He was pleasant, professional, knowledgeable and had the amazing ability to relate effectively with 8 very different personalities. The   results of his efforts is that we now have a completed succession plan, which is most gratifying ..."
  • "... was great in pointing us in the right direction we need to go with the farm succession. He was a valuable resource to touch base with from time to time for opinion/direction ..."


Contact us today as we can help you prepare for the farm succession planning process - 1300 834 775 

Service Area Map

rfcs vic ne region map

Local Government Areas

The RFCS VIC-NE Region includes the following Local Government Areas;

  • Alpine
  • Benalla
  • Campaspe
  • Greater Shepparton
  • Indigo
  • Mansfield
  • Mitchell
  • Moira
  • Murrindindi
  • Strathbogie
  • Towong
  • Wangaratta
  • Whittlesea
  • Wodonga

Call 1300 834 775 to find out what assistance we may be able to provide you, or make an appointment with one of our experienced Rural Financial Counsellors.

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Contact Us

Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria - North East.

102 Hume Street

Wodonga VIC 3689

PHONE: 1300 834 775

EMAIL: info@rfcsvicne.org.au

FAX: (02) 6100 6123