Support for Farmers
Local Land Services
- 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 head to the link below.
Rural Aid
Counselling and Wellbeing
Rural Aid offers free, confidential counselling to registered farmers and their family. They conduct counselling at the place that best suits, on farm, in town or over the phone. Rural Aid counsellors are professionally trained to help support people navigate all kinds of life challenges but come with an understanding of the unique needs of rural people.
Counselling Intake Line – 1300 175 594
Rural Aid’s dedicated counselling intake line is staffed by our trained counsellors Monday to Friday 9-5pm AEDST.
Farmers, farming family members and farm workers can all contact this number to gain information about counselling, gain support and complete our intake process to be linked in with a counsellor.
All services are free and the person does not have to be a primary producer; hobby farmers and their family can also access the intake line. Farmers are supported with practical strategies to help them refocus and get back on track.
Financial Assistance
Rural Aid is currently offering eligible flood affected farmers a $500 pre-paid Visa card for use in their local communities.
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.
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. If you would like to request a load of water, you can email us directly.
Farm Army
The Farm Army is a job posting platform for farmers and workers or volunteers. Farmers can post a variety of jobs on a volunteer or paid basis. They can also offer positions on a contra basis, where applicants work in exchange for meals and/or accommodation. Rural Aid provides the platform where farmers list jobs, but is not involved in the applicant selection process.
Educational Resources
Rural Aid runs a series of Live Chats where rural ‘community builders’ share knowledge of the ways their region is thriving.
Other Support
Rural Aid can also help with specific support measures to meet primary producers’ individual needs. These are measured on a case-by-case basis.
Department of Primary Industries
Rural Recovery Support Services
The Rural Recovery Support Service is managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and funded by Resilience NSW, to provide assistance to rural landholders and primary producers who have been impacted by the recent floods. DPI Recovery Workers are a single point of contact, providing information and referrals to support you on your recovery journey.
Recovery Officers can help you:
- prepare grant applications
- find the right technical advice
- access workshops and information on key recovery topics
- connect with industry experts
- navigate government systems and regulations to resolve complex issues involving multiple agencies
- link to a wide range of personal, business and financial services
Contacts for your local Recovery Officer below:
Managing animals after a flood
Contact the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline for information on:
- animal assessment and vet help
- stock euthanasia and burial
- emergency fodder and stock water
- livestock feeding and management
- the care of animals in evacuation centres.
Land holders can call the hotline on 1800 814 647 or email aasfa@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) provides tailored access to loans, grants, rebates and subsidies for primary producers and small business operators.
| Phone | 1800 678 593 |
| Opening hours | Monday – Friday 8.30am-4.30pm |
| rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au |
Aussie Helpers
Aussie Helpers is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping Aussie farmers, farming families and farming communities survive through the tough times.
Phone: 1300 665 232