Rural Aid’s assistance for primary producers:

Rural Aid offers free, confidential counselling to 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.

Rural Aid’s dedicated counselling intake line is staffed Monday to Friday 9-4pm 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. Farmers are supported with practical strategies to help them get back on track.

Rural Aid assists farmers facing various disasters, right across Australia.

If you have been impacted by a declared natural disaster, please go to click below for more information and to complete the online application form.

Are you a primary producer who has been affected by a natural disaster, or operating in a drought impacted area? Rural Aid works with farmers to provide fodder support. Please complete the form below to be considered for fodder assistance.

Rural Aid coordinates domestic water deliveries to farmers in need of household water.

Rural Aid uses local water caters to deliver a load of potable water to your house tank. We can work with your preferred water carter, or we can find a local licenced carter for you.

Please note: Due to the high level of demand for this service, at this time, farmers can request a load of domestic water every FOUR months.

Water Tank Applications Opening Soon 

Rural Aid is responding to feedback from farmers about the previous application process.

Applications will open state by state, with each state assigned a specific date and time during the application week. Farmers will only be able to apply during their state’s allocated window, not at any other time throughout the week.

• Email notifications have now been sent to all farmers with the relevant date and time details for their state. This will also include information on the required paperwork to complete the application.
• We recommend that farmers who wish to apply for a tank prepare this paperwork in advance of the opening date.
• If that email has not been received, please check the spam or junk folder before contacting the Disaster Assistance team at disasterassistance@ruralaid.org.au to request the information again.

The application page will be available via the link below from Monday 9 am August XXX.  Please make sure you understand the criteria and requirements of the application before the application process is opened.

Please contact Rural Aid with any enquiries before the opening date and time for your state to allow us time to respond and allow farmers time to get the required information. disasterassistance@ruralaid.org.au

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.

We know farming is a way of life, not just a job.

Our proven transition and succession planning process will provide you with family-aligned objectives and a clear plan for your future.

Transition and succession planning for a family farming business is a complex process. A family farm is more than just a business. Being able to separate conversations about management, business ownership, property ownership, retirement, and family legacy, ensures that healthy family relationships are maintained and expectations are clearly communicated.

Rural Aid runs a series of Live Chats where rural ‘community builders’ share knowledge of the ways their region is thriving.

At Rural Aid, we champion sustainable and resilient agriculture, collaborating with farmers and stakeholders to prioritise locally informed practices. If you would like to learn more about receiving a rebate for an approved course, check out: Educational Funding

Rural Aid can also help with specific support measures to meet primary producers’ individual needs. These are measured on a case-by-case basis.

• Primary Producer Declaration (within the last 12 months)
• Current ABN in your name
• Current PIC Number (where applicable) in your name