Transitional Income Support

The Transitional Income Support Program assists farm families in financial difficulty to manage the impacts of climate change on their farm business, by providing short term income support.

If you choose to apply for Transitional Income Support, you will have access to professional advice and training opportunities under the Climate Change Adjustment Program to meet your mutual obligation requirements for income support. The Climate Change Adjustment Program provides assistance to set goals and develop an action plan to improve families’ long term financial security. Rural Financial Counsellors can assist eligible farmers in making their decisions and taking action to improve their financial situation.

An advice and training grant is available under the Climate Change Adjustment Program for specialised professional advice and training across a range of areas to help farmers adjust to the impacts of climate change. Examples of professional advice could include business planning and management, technical advice, financial assessment and in some instances legal and personal advice. Examples of training include climate risk assessment, agronomy, land management, computer skills, career options and skills that may provide off‑farm employment.

After applying for the program, you will need to meet with a Prescribed Adviser and undertake a Farm Business Analysis and Financial Assessment, which will assist you in deciding whether to stay on the farm or to sell the farm.

Assistance available through the Transitional Income Support program

Transitional Income Support will be available to eligible farmers for up to 12 months, until 30 June 2012 or until the program funds are expended, and is paid at a fortnightly rate equivalent to the Newstart Allowance.

Transitional Income Support recipients will be required to develop a Climate Change Action Plan. This will be funded through the Climate Change Adjustment Program and will entitle the beneficiary to an advice and training grant of $5,500 to access professional advice.

Climate Change Action Plan

The Climate Change Action Plan for Group 1 clients can be completed by printing out the form below:

• Climate Change Action Plan  PDF [158kb]

Policy guidelines

In the 2011-12 Budget, the Australian Government announced an extension of Transitional Income Support for a further 12 months until 30 June 2012. Updated Transitional Income Support Guidelines are available on the department’s website at the following link:

•  Transitional Income Support policy guidelines (as at 1 July 2011)

Frequently asked questions

• This list of questions may assist you with your application.  

To apply 

• Visit Centrelink or phone the Farmer Assistance Line on 1800 050 585.
  

For more information

• Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1800 686 175

• Foreign language service phone 131 202