Practical Support

The RBS Relief Fund provides practical, timely support to farming families and small agriculture-related businesses experiencing financial hardship due to drought, natural disasters and other events beyond their control.

Periods of financial pressure can rise quickly and unexpectedly. Disrupted income, rising costs or the cumulative impact of challenging seasons can place strain on household finances.

Relief Fund support is designed to help address everyday, essential needs during these times to provide short-term financial assistance that helps stabilise situations, reduce immediate stress and create breathing space, while next steps are considered.

Available Support
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Programs and Support

Support Grants

Small non-repayable support grants that provide household relief enabling struggling farming families and small rural enterprises in SA and NT to meet their day-to-day living expenses.

Support Grants may be used to provide:

  • Council Rates
  • Emergency Clothing / Footwear
  • Emergency Accommodation / Temporary Housing
  • Fuel
  • Groceries
  • Medical Fees (including medication, specialist appointments, GAP payments)
  • Pet Food
  • Utilities
  • Vehicle license renewal
  • Water

No more than 20% of monies donated will be withheld for administration and reporting on impact.

Project-Based Relief

We partner with like-minded organisations following major events or periods of long-term distress to develop and deliver bespoke programs that relieve anxiety and create stability.

These programs assist individuals and communities in their recovery and helps build long-term resilience.

Our Impact:

  • 2021 Kangaroo Island fire affected Farmers’ Tour to the 2015 Pinery Fire Ground
    Proudly supported by Bank SA Foundation
  • 2022 Pinery to Kangaroo Island Reconnect and Recovery Tour
    Proudly supported by NAB Foundation

Emergency Relief

Our intimate knowledge of regional communities in South Australia and the Northern Territory affected by natural disasters and other events enables us to distribute funds to rural families who are in immediate need and find themselves unable to meet their day-to-day living expenses. 

We are proud to partner with humanitarian networks and welfare agencies to distribute funds to rural families in SA and the NT. 

Our Impact:

2021-2022

  • $1,080,000 – SA CWA Emergency Relief to farming families impacted by drought, bushfire and floods 
  • $61,000 – Rotary SA Drought Relief for farming families 
  • $14,058 – Red Cross Grant to assist in the facilitation of Emergency Relief Funds 

2022-2023

  • $97,500 – Wyatt Trust Capacity Grants enabled South Australian farmers and small and family business owners suffering financial hardship to access additional financial support to help them recover and build financial resilience