Library & Resources

Library & Resources

News

  • CoVID-19 producer update (7 April 2020)

    With a number of significant issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to assure you that APL is listening to stakeholders in the supply chain and working with governments and representative bodies to limit the impact on our industry. The effective shut-down of …

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  • CoVID-19 update for producers (24 March 2020)

    Australian Pork Limited is active on several fronts in response to the rapidly evolving impact of COVID-19. APL is committed to ensuring Australian pig producers and the wider pork industry are best placed to respond to the unfolding situation. We are …

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  • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and your workforce guide

    APL has developed a document to provide general guidance to assist pig producers to plan for and mitigate the risks posed by CoVID-19 to their employees, their business, animal welfare and the supply of pork products to the community.These guidelines …

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  • Pork supply secure, call to support foodservice trade

    Australia’s pork industry is well placed to continue to meet customer demand in the coming weeks, despite the market disruptions caused by COVID-19. Australian Pork Limited CEO, Margo Andrae, said while the restaurant trade was experiencing a sharp downturn, producers were …

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Support for producers

Disaster recovery

Recovery assistance is available to people affected by fires in NSW and Victoria.

NSW: Call the NSW Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444

VIC: Call 126 186 or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/animalemergencies

Commonwealth Government assistance: Call 180 22 66

Personal support

Personal support services include:

Organisation Contact
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Aussie Helpers 0488 807 266 (Text service)

Other resources

https://www.ruralaid.org.au/rural-links

https://therippleeffect.com.au/

Financial support

Assistance for producers in or approaching financial difficulties

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) is the first port of call for producers facing difficulties at this time. Through this service, producers will be able to find information about support services, government funding and low interest loans. APL encourages any producer who is in distress to seek out their local RFCS branch via the RFCS website or by calling 1800 686 175.

For further information about assistance available in each state and territory, APL has compiled a summary of the services that are available in each state which can be accessed at the below links

Commonwealth Funding and Grants

Program Detail Website
Farm Household Allowance Payments of a maximum of $985.00 a fortnight are available to families that are struggling to meet day to day needs.

Eligibility is based on a calculation of income and assets.

 https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/farm-household-allowance

State Governments do not have grant programs that are relevant to pig producers in the current crisis.

Farm Business Support

Commonwealth

Program Detail Website
Farm Investment Loans
  • Loans are available for farm businesses that sell to a processor which services interstate, national or export markets
  • Loans are available for 10 year terms up to a maximum of $1 million, or 50% of total farm debt, whichever is more
  • Interest rate is variable – currently set at 3.58%
  • Loans do not have to add to existing debt, they can instead be used to refinance debt to a lower rate
 http://www.ric.gov.au/farmers/farm-investment
Drought Loans
  • Loans are available for farm businesses in a defined drought area, and who have a drought management plan
  • Loans are available for 10 year terms up to a maximum of $1 million, or 50% of total farm debt, whichever is more.
  • Interest rate is variable – currently set at 3.58%

Loans do not have to add to existing debt, they can instead be used to refinance debt to a lower rate.

 http://www.ric.gov.au/farmers/drought

NSW Rural Adjustment Authority (NSW RAA)

Program Detail Website
Drought Assistance Fund
  • Interest free loans of up to $50,000 are available for farm businesses to assist in implementing systems and management practices that enhance the sustainability of their enterprise by funding;
  • Transport of livestock, transport of fodder and/or water
  • Water infrastructure, and
  • Banking of genetic material of livestock.
 https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/drought-assistance-fund

QLD Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA)

Program Detail Website
Sustainability Loans
  • Sustainability Loans are available to farmers to assist in achieving a more productive and sustainable primary production enterprise.
  • Interest rate is fixed for 1, 3 or 5 years
 http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/current-programs/Productivity-Loans/sustainability-loan/Sustainability-Loan-Primary-producer

Victoria

No farm business support programs are available

South Australia

No farm business support programs are available

State Growth Tasmania

Program Detail Website
Agrigrowth Loan Scheme
  • The Agrigrowth Loan Scheme provides low interest loans to Tasmanian farmers and agri-food businesses for expansion at an interest rate of 3.5%
  • Applicants must demonstrate a clear need for the loan, to the satisfaction of the Department of State Growth, and projects must advance the Government’s agri-growth agenda/policy and include a minimum three year business plan to the satisfaction of the department
 https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/grants_and_funding_opportunities/loans/agrigrowth

Western Australia

No farm business support programs are available

Counselling and Financial Advice

NSW

Program Detail Website
Farm Debt Mediation Government subsidised mediation scheme to reduce costs of negotiation when facing foreclosure action by a bank https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/fdm

QLD

Program Detail Website
Farm Debt Restructure Office The Farm Debt Restructure Office (FDRO) assists primary producers experiencing financial distress by providing independent expert financial information and analysis of their farm business. http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/fdro
Farm Debt Mediation Government subsidised mediation scheme to reduce costs of negotiation when facing foreclosure action by a bank http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/fbdm

VIC

Program Detail Website
Farm Debt Mediation Government subsidised mediation scheme to reduce costs of negotiation when facing foreclosure action by a bank http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/business-management/farm-debt-mediation

SA

Program Detail Website
Financial and Wellbeing Counselling A not-for-profit provider of support for primary producers, fishers and other rural businesses to take action to manage change, risk and business challenges. http://ruralbusinesssupport.org.au/
1800 836 211
Regional Access Regional Access is a free telephone and online counselling service for people who are feeling the pressures and stresses of everyday life. https://saregionalaccess.org.au/

TAS

Program Detail Website
Rural Alive and Well RAW (Rural Alive & Well Inc.) is a non for profit organisation helping individuals, families and the community through mental health issues with a focus on suicide prevention. They provide outreach support to rural Tasmania, as well as working with the community to undertake well-being initiatives. http://www.rawtas.com.au/

WA

Program Detail Website
Farm Debt Mediation Government subsidised mediation scheme to reduce costs of negotiation when facing foreclosure action by a bank https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/grains/farm-debt-mediation-wa-scheme

Some government assistance programs are directed at industries and regions that are suffering as a direct result of drought. Eligibility for these loans will usually depend on a producer’s location, circumstances and assets, but we encourage producers to keep all options open, and consider their eligibility for these loans. Meeting with a Rural Financial Counsellor may assist in more strategic advice specific to your circumstances and business.