Through the program, you can:

• review all aspects of your business – production, natural resource management, financial, WH&S, pre-succession, and personal goals

• access learning through training and workshops

• identify strategies to address business risks

• improve farm management and business performance, and

• develop a customised Farm Business Resilience Plan with support from a Farm Business Planning Officer.

By completing a Farm Business Resilience Plan, producers may become eligible for drought preparedness and recovery support through QRIDA, including low-interest loans and grants.

A plan is also valuable for ensuring stakeholders, such as financiers, accountants, solicitors, and employees, are aligned in understanding the business’ direction.

The program is open to all Queensland primary producers who meet the Commonwealth’s eligible farm business criteria:

• registered for tax purposes and GST with an Australian Business Number (ABN);

• operating as a sole trader, trust, partnership or private company; and

• commercially viable.  

Employees of these producers are also eligible.

Producers do not need to be at risk or experiencing financial hardship to access the Farm Business Resilience Program.

A drought declaration is not required to access this program.

Producers intending to access drought support, please note that the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) defines a primary producer as follows:

• A sole trader who spends the majority of the sole trader’s labour on farm, and derives the majority of the sole trader’s income from, a primary production enterprise; or

• For a partnership, company or trust that carries on a primary production enterprise, the partners in partnership, shareholders in the company or beneficiaries of the trust who spend the majority of their labour on, and derive the majority of their income from, the primary production enterprise.

Farm Business Planning Officers (FBPOs) offer free, confidential support to primary producers involved in the program. Our experienced officers collaborate with various project partners and external providers to assist with all aspects of your business, including:

• visiting your property or meeting with you at another location for a face-to-face appointment

• guiding you through a self-assessment checklist (business analysis)

• supporting you to develop a Farm Business Resilience Plan, tailored to your enterprise

• sharing skills and knowledge to enhance your financial and business literacy

• assisting with drought support package applications or referrals to external assistance

• referring you to other support services, including Rural Financial Counselling and Business Wellness Coaches.

To learn more about the Farm Business Resilience Program and how we can assist you, contact your local Farm Business Planning Officer.

Several financial assistance measures may be available through QRIDA, subject to funding.

A completed Farm Business Resilience Plan is necessary to access some of these grants and low-interest loans.

For more information or to apply, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au/drought-support.

• Drought Preparedness Grants: A rebate of up to 25 per cent to a maximum of $50,000 for on-farm capital infrastructure identified in your Farm Business Resilience Plan.

• Farm Management Grant: A rebate of 50 per cent to a maximum of $2,500 on the cost of professional advice in the development of a Farm Business Resilience Plan.

• Sustainability Loan: A low-interest loan up to $1.3m to assist with investing in the latest infrastructure to create a viable future for your farm business including activities that improve farming system, natural resource, and financial sustainability.

Full guidelines can be access on the QRIDA website.

Queensland Government Program Information

• Drought Assistance Program website

• Farm Business Resilience Program website

• QRIDA Drought Support website

• The Drought and Cliamte Adaptation program (DCAP) website

Department of Agriculture Webinars

To find out more about the new Queensland drought assistance, including grants, loans, workshops, and training, watch these industry-specific webinars below:

• Extensive livestock and grazing

• Horticulture and growers

• Intensive livestock and grazing

• Cropping