Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO4500

The Australian Government is inviting applications via an open and competitive process to apply to deliver services under the RFCS Program in the 12 predefined service regions from 2021–22 to 2023–24. Applicants may apply for more than one service region, including across different states.

The RFCS Program is an Australian Government initiative that provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related enterprises who are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.

The vision for the 2021 to 2024 RFCS Program is to empower clients to take control of their financial situation and cultivate financially capable primary producers that are profitable, self-reliant and resilient.

The objectives of the RFCS Program are to:

• transition clients out of financial crisis
• improve clients’ business profitability or facilitate a dignified exit
• improve clients’ financial well-being and resilience.
  

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.

Applications are sought from eligible organisations or consortia.

To be eligible you must be a legal entity with an Australian Business Number (ABN), have or are able to create an account with an Australian financial institution and be capable of entering into a legally binding and enforceable grant agreement with the Commonwealth.

To be eligible you must be one of the following entity types:

• Indigenous Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)

• Company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

• Cooperative

• Incorporated Association 

• Unincorporated Association

• Trustee on behalf of a Trust

• Partnership.

Requirements for applications from consortia

The consortium must nominate a lead applicant who is solely accountable to the Commonwealth for the delivery of grant activities. The lead applicant must be an eligible entity as per the list above. Eligible organisations can form a consortium with ineligible organisations.

Requirements for applications from unincorporated associations

Unincorporated associations may apply, however, if successful for a grant, it will be mandatory to incorporate prior to entering into the grant agreement.

To apply, go to the application form here.