RFCS NSW Small Business Support Program
About Us
Our internally funded regional small business support program offers free, personalised, independent, and confidential face to face support to small business owners in financial difficulty within regional NSW. Our Small Business Financial Counsellor (SBFC) helps business owners navigate tough times by providing guidance and support on their financial position and the viability of their business, as well as helping them to identify their goals and to develop and implement a business plan. This includes:
- Identify underlying issues
- Managing relationship with creditors and lenders
- Developing cash flows and budgets
- Accessing government assistance
- Business and risk management plans
Check your eligibility
To receive assistance under the RFCS NSW Small Business Support program, your small businesses must:
- Be located in Southern Regional NSW
- Have 19 employees or less
- Be experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship
- Be ineligible to access services under the existing RFCS program (generally someone who contributes a significant amount of their labour or capital to a primary production enterprise or is a recipient of the primary producer household allowance).
How We Can Help
Our experienced counsellors can assist you in navigating the complex financial landscape of rural business. Our counsellors have a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing rural communities and are equipped to provide tailored, confidential and professional advice on a range of issues, including debt relief, budgeting, business planning, and accessing government assistance.
Whether you’re a primary producer, small business owner, or a member of a rural community, our counsellors are here to support you in finding financial stability and security. They will listen to your concerns and work with you to develop practical solutions to help you achieve your goals.
Understand your financials
A lack of financial knowledge can lead to bad business decisions – and poor outcomes. A business review can give you a better understanding of the potential implications of the choices you make –especially if your business has increased financial risk.
How we can help
Small business financial counsellors can help you gain a clearer insight into your business’s financial position and how you can improve it.
We can assist you by:
- Identifying available assistance
- Creating or updating business plans
- Preparing budgets and cash flows
- Reviewing existing lending facilities
- Negotiating with creditors
- Accessing hardship or dispute resolution services.
Build a business plan
Developing a business plan may seem daunting – but it’s an essential element for enterprises that want to be successful in the long term.
A solid business plan requires research, analysis, and planning, which all take time. While it may drag you away from the instant results of a sale, being on the tools or billing client hours, it’s still worth making the time to think ahead.
How we can help
Our counsellors can help you create a detailed business plan and put steps in place to ensure it’s used in future business planning. We’ll guide you to develop your business plan and connect you with broader professional help, such as an accountant or lawyer, to create a detailed view of your business’s position.
Having a business plan will prepare your business for future shocks, competitor activity, and natural disasters – and allow you to track your progress as your business grows.
Identify areas of risk
When risks are left unchecked, dealing with the fallout of an incident can cause a lot of stress, additional work, and expenses. But risk is something you can manage and formalising your business’s risk management processes can be a great idea.
How we can help
We can help you complete an honest assessment of your business processes and challenge your default or traditional thinking, neutralise risk, and arm you with useful information.
Our small business financial counsellors can help you develop your risk management plan and create realistic strategies to combat the key risks faced by your business.
Bank reviews and loan applications
Our small business financial counsellors talk to many small business owners who have lost too much time and stress to bank reviews. But, if you’re prepared, they don’t have to be an overwhelming process.
How we can help
The Regional Small Business Support program gives you access to a qualified team of small business financial counsellors with knowledge across banking, business, and a broad range of other industries. We’ll guide you through annual reviews by properly preparing for them and working through any concerns about your financial situation.
When working with you we will:
- Spend time with you before your review to get to know the details and how your business has been performing
- Prepare explanations for any issues or variances in actuals versus budgets or predications
- Support you to consider and document your business goals, plans and contingencies for dealing with unforeseen changes in circumstance.
An annual review is a great opportunity to look forward with your bank or lender and ensure you’ve got the right financial supports in place to achieve success. With a bit of preparation, you’ll have everything under control.
Cashflow forecasting and budgeting
Cash flow budgeting can help you understand the financial impact of your business decisions. Being uncertain about your financial future and how you are going to meet your financial obligations can be stressful and seriously impact your business success as well as your emotional, mental and physical health if not dealt with.
How we can help
Our small business financial counsellors are skilled in cash flow budgeting and can assist with regular budget updates. We can support you to create an accurate budget and understand your business’s cash position.
By implementing effective cash flow budgeting, you’ll improve day-to-day decision making and increase the likelihood of each decision being profitable. With the right tools and assistance, cashflow forecasting and budgeting can be a quick and easy process – and give you real insight into your financial future.
Negotiating with Creditors
Dealing with your debts can feel like a mountain that’s impossible to climb. But being proactive in your communication with creditors and advisors can provide the best chance of recovery.
How we can help
If you’re experiencing challenges with debt and need assistance negotiating with creditors, we can help.
Our small business financial counsellors are qualified to provide evidence of your current financial position. They will determine your current financial position, assess any debt, and the terms and conditions of that debt.
This can greatly assist with negotiating repayment agreements with your creditors – and take a big weight off your shoulders.
Accessing Government support
Accessing government assistance and working out what information you need to provide can sometimes be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be.
How we can help
Our small business financial counsellor support small businesses to access government programs and grants. We’ll work out what you may be eligible for and what details you need to provide to secure the right assistance.
Our team can help out, whether you’re seeking support to access short-term government assistance or if you’re ready to engage in a more holistic assessment of your business and future possibilities.
Business exit planning
Whether you’re retiring, moving, or handing over the reins to a family member, sometimes exiting your small business is the right decision. But it can still be hard to know the best way to get through this period successfully.
How we can help
As independent support, our small business financial counsellors can have those all-important initial discussions to educate you about sale planning so that you understand what’s involved, how to navigate the process, and which professionals to engage to help you with your sale plan process. They can also be involved in reviewing the past performance of the enterprise and road-testing options through cash flows and enterprise budgets.
By starting the process early, you have time to ensure you are completely prepared, well before your exit, and are in the best position to grow your assets and not just through capital appreciation but through opportunities, investments and possible acquisitions that give you more choices in the future.
Benchmarking
As a small business owner, you may feel unsure of how well you should be doing when compared to others in the industry, or if there are areas you could improve upon.
How we can help
By working with one of our small business financial counsellors, your business can undergo a health check to analyse how your business compares to competitors in the same industry. We’ll look look at areas including gross profit, number of sales and customers, and operating costs such as staff or rent. Counsellors can discuss where you are currently, where you want to be and/or what you want to do using these data points.
Benchmarking will give you the tools you need to highlight improvements you could make to increase profit, reduce costs and better manage operations. This can be the starting point for developing better cash flow budgets and understanding your profitability and future opportunities.
Referrals
Your small business financial counsellor has a vast network to call on. If they can’t help you directly, they can refer you to the professional who can.
Having a referral from a counsellor will help you get the support you need in a timely manner. Broader professional advice and support can include specialist marketing, taxation, accounting or legal advice.
Understand your financials
A lack of financial knowledge can lead to bad business decisions – and poor outcomes. A business review can give you a better understanding of the potential implications of the choices you make –especially if your business has increased financial risk.
How we can help
Small business financial counsellors can help you gain a clearer insight into your business’s financial position and how you can improve it.
We can assist you by:
- Identifying available assistance
- Creating or updating business plans
- Preparing budgets and cash flows
- Reviewing existing lending facilities
- Negotiating with creditors
- Accessing hardship or dispute resolution services.
Build a business plan
Developing a business plan may seem daunting – but it’s an essential element for enterprises that want to be successful in the long term.
A solid business plan requires research, analysis, and planning, which all take time. While it may drag you away from the instant results of a sale, being on the tools or billing client hours, it’s still worth making the time to think ahead.
How we can help
Our counsellors can help you create a detailed business plan and put steps in place to ensure it’s used in future business planning. We’ll guide you to develop your business plan and connect you with broader professional help, such as an accountant or lawyer, to create a detailed view of your business’s position.
Having a business plan will prepare your business for future shocks, competitor activity, and natural disasters – and allow you to track your progress as your business grows.
Identify areas of risk
When risks are left unchecked, dealing with the fallout of an incident can cause a lot of stress, additional work, and expenses. But risk is something you can manage and formalising your business’s risk management processes can be a great idea.
How we can help
We can help you complete an honest assessment of your business processes and challenge your default or traditional thinking, neutralise risk, and arm you with useful information.
Our small business financial counsellors can help you develop your risk management plan and create realistic strategies to combat the key risks faced by your business.
Bank reviews and loan applications
Our small business financial counsellors talk to many small business owners who have lost too much time and stress to bank reviews. But, if you’re prepared, they don’t have to be an overwhelming process.
How we can help
The Regional Small Business Support program gives you access to a qualified team of small business financial counsellors with knowledge across banking, business, and a broad range of other industries. We’ll guide you through annual reviews by properly preparing for them and working through any concerns about your financial situation.
When working with you we will:
- Spend time with you before your review to get to know the details and how your business has been performing
- Prepare explanations for any issues or variances in actuals versus budgets or predications
- Support you to consider and document your business goals, plans and contingencies for dealing with unforeseen changes in circumstance.
An annual review is a great opportunity to look forward with your bank or lender and ensure you’ve got the right financial supports in place to achieve success. With a bit of preparation, you’ll have everything under control.
Cashflow forecasting and budgeting
Cash flow budgeting can help you understand the financial impact of your business decisions. Being uncertain about your financial future and how you are going to meet your financial obligations can be stressful and seriously impact your business success as well as your emotional, mental and physical health if not dealt with.
How we can help
Our small business financial counsellors are skilled in cash flow budgeting and can assist with regular budget updates. We can support you to create an accurate budget and understand your business’s cash position.
By implementing effective cash flow budgeting, you’ll improve day-to-day decision making and increase the likelihood of each decision being profitable. With the right tools and assistance, cashflow forecasting and budgeting can be a quick and easy process – and give you real insight into your financial future.
Negotiating with Creditors
Dealing with your debts can feel like a mountain that’s impossible to climb. But being proactive in your communication with creditors and advisors can provide the best chance of recovery.
How we can help
If you’re experiencing challenges with debt and need assistance negotiating with creditors, we can help.
Our small business financial counsellors are qualified to provide evidence of your current financial position. They will determine your current financial position, assess any debt, and the terms and conditions of that debt.
This can greatly assist with negotiating repayment agreements with your creditors – and take a big weight off your shoulders.
Accessing Government support
Accessing government assistance and working out what information you need to provide can sometimes be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be.
How we can help
Our small business financial counsellor support small businesses to access government programs and grants. We’ll work out what you may be eligible for and what details you need to provide to secure the right assistance.
Our team can help out, whether you’re seeking support to access short-term government assistance or if you’re ready to engage in a more holistic assessment of your business and future possibilities.
Business exit planning
Whether you’re retiring, moving, or handing over the reins to a family member, sometimes exiting your small business is the right decision. But it can still be hard to know the best way to get through this period successfully.
How we can help
As independent support, our small business financial counsellors can have those all-important initial discussions to educate you about sale planning so that you understand what’s involved, how to navigate the process, and which professionals to engage to help you with your sale plan process. They can also be involved in reviewing the past performance of the enterprise and road-testing options through cash flows and enterprise budgets.
By starting the process early, you have time to ensure you are completely prepared, well before your exit, and are in the best position to grow your assets and not just through capital appreciation but through opportunities, investments and possible acquisitions that give you more choices in the future.
Benchmarking
As a small business owner, you may feel unsure of how well you should be doing when compared to others in the industry, or if there are areas you could improve upon.
How we can help
By working with one of our small business financial counsellors, your business can undergo a health check to analyse how your business compares to competitors in the same industry. We’ll look look at areas including gross profit, number of sales and customers, and operating costs such as staff or rent. Counsellors can discuss where you are currently, where you want to be and/or what you want to do using these data points.
Benchmarking will give you the tools you need to highlight improvements you could make to increase profit, reduce costs and better manage operations. This can be the starting point for developing better cash flow budgets and understanding your profitability and future opportunities.
Referrals
Your small business financial counsellor has a vast network to call on. If they can’t help you directly, they can refer you to the professional who can.
Having a referral from a counsellor will help you get the support you need in a timely manner. Broader professional advice and support can include specialist marketing, taxation, accounting or legal advice.
Our approach
RFCS NSW believes in an holistic approach to business. Our Primary Producer and Small Business Philosophy informs our service delivery model and reflects our belief that to have a successful, financially self-sufficient business there needs to be alignment between the business, the business owner, the family and the business support network. This philosophy reflects our belief that business planning is key to success. The four business success pillars are:
- the business
- the business owner
- the family and
- the business support network.
In each of the pillars we look at the clients’ circumstances, what it means to be successful, and how we can help to achieve that success through building competencies and developing good network relationships.
Success is determined by the client and can include:
- Negotiating with creditors and accessing support so that the client can trade out of financial hardship
- Running a successful farm or small business to build wealth and reduce the risk of financial hardship
- Dignified exits from the industry
- Achieving viable family succession of the farming or commercial small business
- The client feeling less stressed
- Increasing client business management capability
Need help to get through a difficult time? RFCS NSW can help.
Our small business financial counsellor can help you understand your finances and make a clear plan to move forward. Get in touch for free, confidential support today.
FAQ’s
- Assist with identifying and navigating government and community grants, programs or schemes
- Understand your financial position and the viability of your business
- Identify options to manage the financial issues of your business
- Develop budgets and cash flows
- Create and implement an action plan to work towards your business goals
- Negotiate with your lenders and access dispute resolution services
- Access broader professional advice and support as required including specialist marketing, taxation, accounting or legal advice
- Develop and implement marketing strategies
- Establish social media marketing.
- Debt relief and negotiation
We respect your privacy. We do not sell, rent or trade any personal information to or with any third parties. We may disclose your personal information (not financial) to external service providers in the circumstances discussed in our privacy policy.
If your business has 19 employees or less experiencing or at risk of experiencing financial hardship, is located in the RFCS NSW Central or Southern regions and are ineligible to access services under the existing RFCS program.
Small business financial counsellors do not give family, emotional or social counselling or financial advice. They refer to other professional services, including accountants, education services, and mental health support.
What Our Clients Say
"It has allowed me to continue with my business when I thought all was lost."
"They have been a great assistance in guiding us through the quite complex application process for the Farm Household Assistance program."
"Tony's knowledge was very beneficial when applying for the Farm Innovation fund. The up to date information via email helpful."
"Very helpful in understanding how to fill in certain forms needed, for the Farm Household allowance. Also had plenty of information on other loans available for our business."
"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."
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The Rural Financial Counselling Service Program is funded by the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government and is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

