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.

    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: 

    1. Negotiating with creditors and accessing support so that the client can trade out of financial hardship
    2. Running a successful farm or small business to build wealth and reduce the risk of financial hardship
    3. Dignified exits from the industry
    4. Achieving viable family succession of the farming or commercial small business
    5. The client feeling less stressed 
    6. 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

    What can Small Business Financial Counsellors support me with?
    • 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
    How will my information be used?

    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.

    Who can access?

    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.

    What can’t Small Business Financial Counsellors do?

    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