Rural Financial Counselling Service
The RFCS Program provides grants to state and regional organisations to provide free rural financial counselling to primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses* who are suffering financial hardship and who have no alternative sources of impartial support.
*'Small rural business' for the purposes of the Program is defined as a rural business that employs no more than ten full-time-equivalent (38 hours per week) employees and provides the majority of its services to primary producers and is directly involved in primary production (e.g. fencing, harvesting, spraying or stock management).
Information on the objectives and outcomes of the RFCS Program is available in the RFCS Charter
There are currently 14 service providers employing more than 110 rural financial counsellors across the country.
The RFCS Program is funded by the Australian and state governments, who have committed funding to 30 June 2011.
Grants applications and funding
Applications for grant funding for the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2011 closed on 26 October 2007, and the successful applicants were announced on 3 June 2008.
There are currently no funding grant rounds open.
RFCS Administration
Information for RFCS service providers and staff is provided under RFCS Administration Resources. This will direct you to a password protected page.
Office of Rural Financial Counselling Contact Details
Office of Rural Financial Counselling
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: 1800 686 175
Fax: (02) 6272 4414
Email: RFCS
Website: www.rfcs.gov.au