Funds for Rural Relief

Media release – Rural Business Tasmania, 26 March 2024

Extra funds for Rural Business Tasmania

announced for charitable arm: Rural Relief Fund

In light of recent conditions for those in the areas experiencing drought conditions, Tasmania’s leading rural business and financial management service, Rural Business Tasmania has welcomed today’s Rockliff Liberal Government announcement of support for its Rural Relief Fund.

“Many of our farming businesses are doing it tough with some experiencing a 1-in-100-year drought conditions. As such demand for the RFCS is on the rise,” said Rural Business Tasmania CEO Elizabeth Skirving. “The announcement today reflects the responsiveness of the current government to the many challenges facing primary producers, and we thank Premier Rockliff and Minister Palmer for their positive response.”

On the back of an unseasonably protracted dry many primary producers in Tasmania have been living and working through one of the toughest seasons on record, and as such have out of necessity accessed services like the RFCS. Today the Tasmanian Government has contributed and extra $500,000 to the 2024 Rural Relief Fund appeal.

“This extraordinarily difficult season has seen the demands on our farmers and the support they need continue to increase, said Rural Business Tasmania CEO, Elizabeth Skirving.

‘The extra funding announced today means we can offer more crisis grants of $2,500 to eligible families through the Rural Relief Fund. This season has seen farmers tackle the driest of dry. Combined with variable livestock prices and increasing freight and cost of business and living expenditure, families in our rural communities are doing it tough’.

Considering the urgency and level of support required, applications to the Rural Relief Fund are assessed on a case-by-case basis with family and animal welfare a priority. As such disbursed funds can cover everything for example: from basic household goods including food to utility bills or assist with animal welfare issues related to destocking or fodder deficiencies.

In addition to the Rural Relief Fund, Rural Business Tasmania delivers the Rural Financial Counselling Service, federal funding for which it has now secured through to 30 June 2026.

Rural Business Tasmania is working with its colleagues in the Forum of Rural Stakeholders including TasFarmers and Drought Hub , to coordinate support available.

Nathan Calman, CEO of TasFarmers said. “As we reach out to members about what assistance they and their communities require, those requiring support with accessing funding will be directed to organisations like Rural Business Tasmania, who are the experts in providing this support.”

Our team is out and about in the community, To access the Rural Financial Counselling Service, to book an appointment or find out more information on our programs please contact the Rural Business Tasmania team on 1300 88 3276.