About Us

How we came about

RFCS NSW has been helping rural communities since 1986. The Rural Financial Counselling Service program was created in response to the financial difficulties facing the rural sector at the time – high interest rates, the deregulation of the financial sector, drought, and depressed commodity prices. It was initially intended as a short-term assistance measure but, thanks to the program’s success, we continue to service communities across NSW to this day.

Who we are now

Today, RFCS NSW is a charitable organisation which provides free, unbiased, confidential, and professional advice through our Rural Financial Counselling Service and Personal Financial Counselling Service in the Illawarra Region. We support primary producers in southern, central, and far western New South Wales, servicing 78% of the state.

Our history

1986

program commences as a response to increased financial pressures across the rural sector, drought, and depressed commodity prices.
2004

63 long-term community-based services and five industry-based services are introduced.
2006

new administrative arrangements consolidate services to 16 providers.
2006

Rural Financial Counselling Service, NSW – Southern Region is formed as an Incorporated Association after the amalgamation of the community-based services in the southern third of NSW.
2020

the Drought Communities Small Business Support Program pilot commences, expanding services to small businesses beyond those related to primary production.
2021

successful competitive tender for program delivery from 2021 to 2024 for NSW Southern Region and NSW Central Region. Service providers reduced from 12 to 10.

Our values and vision

Integrity

We are committed to doing what’s best for our clients. Whilst helping clients to identify options, we responsibly use public funds to deliver informed, unbiased, and independent general advice and support.

Agility

We know things change, so we prepare for it. Sometimes change is uncomfortable, but it helps us evolve and improve.

Empathy

We listen first and aim to see things with a new perspective. This enables us to empower our clients to find their best way forward.

Connected

We are part of the communities in which we work. We have strong local relationships but always maintain privacy and confidentiality.

Our programs

RFCS NSW’s primary goal is to help regional and rural businesses succeed through the provision of unbiased and independent financial counselling. We strengthen communities by helping primary producers and related regional enterprises be prepared, responsive and sustainable.

To do this, we:

Offer free, independent, confidential, and professional expert financial counselling and support to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses that are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
Provide clients with the appropriate tools, skills, knowledge, and referrals to enable them to regain financial and emotional independence.

Our Approach

RFCS NSW believes in an holistic approach to business and business planning. Our services are based on the philosophy that a successful, financially self-sufficient rural business requires alignment between four main pillars:

the business
the business owner
the family and
the business support network.

We’ll work with you to review each of these pillars in your business, as well as define what it means to be successful, and how we can help you achieve success by building key competencies and strong relationships.

Success is determined by each client but may include:

Negotiating with creditors and accessing support so that you can trade out of financial hardship
Running a successful farm or small business to build wealth and reduce the risk of financial hardship
Planning a dignified exit from the industry
Achieving viable family succession of the farm or commercial small business
Reducing stress and increasing personal wellbeing
Increasing business management capability.

View our board

View our counsellors

What Our Clients Say

Friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and empathetic counsellor. So grateful for her assistance navigating difficult financial issues."

"They have been a great assistance in guiding us through the quite complex application process for the Farm Household Assistance program."

“RFCS NSW has been a positive and transformative experience, they exceeded every expectation with respect, concern and genuine desire to help”

Have always found the RFC that we have been in contact with over many years very helpful listens to our concerns is very knowledgeable and always supportive. Some of the natural disasters we have dealt with on the property leave you feeling fatigued and depressed. Our Rural Financial Counsellor has always been a person to talk with and give advice and has a can do attitude.

"Encouraged pro-active actions, and assisted with strategic business planning and cash flow preparation to enable us to secure the RIC loans and Drought Loans. Also provided valuable assistance, which is giving us more confidence in our negotiations with the bank."