This excellent scheme enables eligible farmers in EC areas to obtain professional advice to prepare Farm Business Plans.  We are paid for our work with you by redeeming vouchers which provide the grant funds.  For more information on EC declared areas in Victoria click here.

To obtain the full amount a consultant must first confirm the farms likely long run viability.  The scheme allows up to $1,000 to do this.  The remainder of grant funds can then be applied to farm planning.  Farmers who are receiving the interest rate subsidy don’t require a viability assessment, as this was carried out in order to obtain the subsidy.  We often do the viability assessment for much less than $1,000, in which case we only charge for the time taken.

Eligibility is not affected by the level of farm income or off-farm income.

To be eligible farmers must be in EC declared areas.  There is a $750,000 limitation on the amount of off-farm investments you can have.  This does not include superannuation and / or Farm Management Deposits.  Almost all clients in EC areas qualify for these grants.

For details of how we work with clients in using the grants contact Alan Blackburn’s office on 03 5229 6196.  We will send you a six page information pack plus an application form.

Further $2,200 available for farmers who previously used the $5,500 grant

You can apply for a further $2,200 six months after the initial report was submitted to Centrelink.  We are currently working with a lot of clients who have accessed this additional grant, reviewing and further developing their business plans.  Phone Alan or Will to discuss this further, on 03 5229 6196.

What these grants can be used for

The Professional Advice and Planning Grants can be used to prepare Farm Business Plans, including:

•  Options for improving farm profitability and viability;
      · Leasing or buying land,
      · Enterprise selection,
      · Cost structure evaluation,
      · Key performance indicators,
      · Technical issues re farm management.

•  Succession Planning;
      · Retirement needs of older generation,
      · Family income needs of younger generation,
      · Family meetings to resolve succession and inheritance issues.

•  Farm Viability Assessment;
      · To obtain ongoing interest subsidy,
      · To decide the future of the farm.

•  Bank reviews and finance applications;
      · Negotiation of reduced interest rates,
      · Loan applications,
      · Business review for lenders.