Joe first worked with Rural Business Support (RBS) during the dry years of 2015–2019. A cautious fourth-generation farmer, he grew up hearing how his parents lost the farm in the 1950s and only bought it back with community help. Risk felt dangerous. Debt felt unthinkable. His son Dan—mid-career and ready to grow—felt the brakes were always on.
They returned to RBS in April 2025 after a tough season and late opening rains. Costs were up. Income was down. They needed fresh borrowing to get through the year. By intake, they had destocked half their sheep and increased the overdraft for working capital. Joe, 77, was anxious about being a guarantor.
On advice from their accountant and a Services Australia case officer, both households applied for and received Farm Household Allowance (FHA). Cash flow remained tight with reduced cropping ahead and succession pressures building.
The Rural Financial Counsellor (RFC) started with mindset and clarity. Sessions were paced and plain-spoken, with written follow-ups so Joe could absorb each step. Practical help eased immediate pressure: an SA Government Rural Support Grant assisted with groceries; Rural Aid hay and pellets supported remaining stock; Farm Angels stepped in where appropriate.
A simple schedule kept momentum without overwhelm.
The RFC brought Services Australia’s Financial Information Service and the accountant into the room to map options for transition and retirement. An FHA activity voucher funded a succession planner’s independent advice, giving Joe confidence he was hearing the full picture.
Across several meetings the family worked through scenarios. The path that made sense balanced identity, income and intergenerational goals: transfer selected assets to Dan; remain actively farming for the next four years to meet FHA requirements; and position for a full Age Pension in about five years using foregone-wages and gifting calculations. Clear written communication with Dan was encouraged to protect relationships during changeover.
Not every barrier is purely financial.
Joe’s hesitation was bound up with identity — “If I’m no longer a farmer, who am I?”
The RFC named that fear respectfully and kept decisions with the family. The role was to make options and consequences transparent, build simple routines—short check-ins and small action lists—and keep the door open. Choosing not to choose is still a choice; the RFC’s job was to ensure it was an informed one.
Outcomes to date: a workable transition pathway; immediate animal-welfare costs supported; and Joe moving from stuck to considering, with a plan that protects his retirement and the farm’s future. Steady, people-centred steps are turning uncertainty into something the family can hold onto.
