FAQs

RFC & RBS has identified five high level values that underpin how we will operate to deliver our vision, mission and strategic priorities.

These values will guide and shape our organisational culture including how our Board and our team will work together, with our clients and with our stakeholders to be successful.

Our five values;

Trust – We build trust and authentic relationships by being open, honest and respectful.

Responsiveness – We are responsive and flexible when facing change by being strategic and open-minded.

Empathy – We demonstrate empathy at all times to listen and understand the perspectives of others.

Collaboration – We are consultative and collaborate to achieve more than we could by ourselves.

Delivery – We are dedicated to delivering unsurpassed service and continued improvement.

Trust – Our team and Board work together in an open and transparent fashion to support each other to be successful.

Responsiveness – Our team and Board work together to learn and share ideas about how they can best meet demand for services.

Empathy – Our team and Board support each other to develop and manage in times of high workload.

Collaboration – Our team and Board work as a united team to support each other to achieve our goals.

Delivery – Our organisation is dedicated to continuous improvement and is motivated to achieve great results for our region.

Our Counsellors provide options and you make the decisions that are best for your farm or small business.

RFC & RBS Counsellors provide free financial counselling to farmers, fishing enterprises, forestry growers and harvesters, and small related businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.

Rural financial counsellors and Rural Business Support Counsellors are qualified professionals. They will listen to your problems, look at your situation as a whole and provide support unique to you.

They will help you to develop an action plan and take the necessary steps to get you out of financial difficulty. They will also help you to build your financial knowledge, skills and resilience so you can confidently manage potential challenges in the future.

While counsellors will guide you through the process, you are always in control of the decision making.

RFC & RBS Counsellors do not give family, emotional or social counselling or financial advice. They refer to other professional services, including accountants, agricultural advisors, education services, and mental health support.

The overarching outcome of the program is that clients who engage with the service become financially self-reliant and their businesses are better prepared to deal with risks.

With a focus on the case management approach, RFC & RBS counsellors:

• help clients to understand their business situation and underlying problems
• support clients to come to terms with their situation and feel in control of their future
• discuss options and longer term goals to improve clients’ financial position
• develop clients’ financial knowledge, skills, confidence
• engage clients in the decision-making process
• develop business plans/strategies for clients and supporting implementation of these through monitoring client progress
• help clients to apply for government programs and other assistance that will support the path back to self-sufficiency (for example apply for the Farm Household Allowance)
• represent and advocate for clients rights/needs (that is, negotiations or mediation with banks and creditors)
• assist clients to prepare for meetings with other professionals
• refer clients to broader professional advice and support.

RFC & RBS Counsellors provides free financial counselling to farmers, fishing enterprises, forestry growers and harvesters, and small related businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.

Rural financial counsellors and Rural Business Support Counsellors are qualified professionals. They will listen to your problems, look at your situation as a whole and provide support unique to you.

They will help you to develop an action plan and take the necessary steps to get you out of financial difficulty. They will also help you to build your financial knowledge, skills and resilience so you can confidently manage potential challenges in the future.

While counsellors will guide you through the process, you are always in control of the decision making.

Rural financial counsellors do not give advice relating to agribusiness, law, family issues, mental health or financial advice, but can refer you to other professional services as part of their holistic approach/service.

Our Counsellors provide options and you make the decisions that are best for your farm or small business.

Rural financial counsellors do not give family, emotional or social counselling or financial advice. They refer to other professional services, including accountants, agricultural advisors, education services, and mental health support.