Reviews of the Rural Financial Counselling Service Program
The Rural Financial Counselling Service: an Evaluation
Charles Sturt University was commissioned in 2009 by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to conduct an online survey of Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) clients.
The aim of the survey was to evaluate client satisfaction with the RFCS, the appropriateness of referrals to other professional services, the extent of improvement in clients’ situations and changes in management practices as a result of interaction with the RFCS.
Overarching Report of the 2007 RFCS Service Provider Performance Audits
In 2007, WalterTurnbull undertook performance audits of the 16 organisations delivering rural financial counselling services.
This report is a summary of the audit findings and recommendations.
- Overarching Report of the 2007 RFCS Service Provider Performance Audits
PDF [111kb] | 
Word [163kb]
2004 Review of the Rural Financial Counselling Service Program
In 2004, that National Rural Advisory Council reviewed the RFCS Program. The complete report can be downloaded as one PDF or individual sections can be downloaded.
Sections of the report:
- Contents and executive summary PDF [216kb]
- Chapters 1-8 PDF [850kb]
- Appendixes 1-4 PDF [147kb]
- Appendix 5: Map of socio-economic disadvantage by region PDF [2.3mb]
- Appendixes 6-17 PDF [1.13mb]
- Appendixes 18-19 PDF [1.5mb]
- Appendixes 20-22 PDF [852kb]
- Acronyms and abbreviations PDF [59kb]
For a hard copy of the Review, please contact the Financial Counselling and Community Support Section on 1800 686 175 or email RFCS.
The Way Forward
This report includes the executive summary from the 2004 Review report (above), the terms of reference for the review committee and the aims, objectives, outcomes and key principles for an enhanced RFCS Program.
- The Way Forward PDF [281kb]
2003 Acumen Alliance Performance Review and Audit
In 2003, Acumen Alliance completed a performance review of 24 rural financial counselling services.This report provides a summary, containing the publicly available information, of the review's findings and recommendations:
- A report on the 2003 performance review and audit of rural financial counselling services PDF [657kb]
2000 Evaluation of the Rural Communities Program (RCP)
In 2000, the Social Sciences Centre of the Bureau of Rural Sciences (now ABARES) was commissioned by Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (now the Department Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) and the Department of Transport and Regional Services (now the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) to evaluate the RCP, a program they jointly administered.
The evaluation examined program performance and future directions and options for change.
- 2000 Evaluation of the Rural Communities Program PDF [3.2mb] | Word [2.5mb]
09 Dec 2011