Natural disaster assistance – Contacts for primary producers
Ex-tropical cyclone Seroja has had a devastating impact on the Mid-west region of Western Australia, as have the March 2021 storms and floods on communities and small businesses across New South Wales and Victoria.
You are not alone. There are a range of organisations providing assistance. You may also be eligible for Federal and State government relief payments. See details below.
Government Disaster Relief payments
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by eligible declared disasters.
The rate of AGDRP is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child. Claims for this payment can be lodged with Services Australia for a period up to 6 months.
NSW floods – for full details and eligibility refer to the Department of Home Affairs- Disaster Assist.
Cyclone Seroja – for full details and eligibility refer to Services Australia.
NSW Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
The NSW Small Business Commissioner has announced financial assistance for businesses affected by the March floods.
Loans of up to $130,000 at a fixed concessional interest rate may be available to small businesses, primary producers and non-profits (subject to certain eligibility criteria) that have been directly impacted.
For full details and eligibility refer to NSW Small Business Commissioner.
Elders is right beside you
Having served rural communities for over 180 years, we have been through our share of natural disasters. We are offering hardship relief options.
All existing Elders clients who have been considerably impacted by disasters are eligible to apply for our Disaster Relief Finance Facility, to provide some financial relief during a period of recovery. As always, we have people on the ground ready to help.
Elders Disaster Relief Finance Facility terms
| Maximum limit | $200,000 |
| Maximum term | 9 months |
| Interest rate* | 0% |
| Purpose | Retail products |
*T&C’s apply. Elders standard credit assessment procedures apply.
For more details and to apply please contact your local branch.
Other support and services
Beyond Blue
It’s perfectly natural to feel overwhelmed and “lost” after a disaster such as a flood.
If you’ve been affected, the Beyond Blue support service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1300 22 4636.
Rural Aid
Rural Aid is proud of its support of farmers and rural communities in times of need. Dependant on the farmer’s eligibility and current situation, Rural Aid’s assistance may include financial help, fodder supplies, domestic water, counselling services and more. Please note you must first register online with Rural Aid.
Health & wellbeing support services
To help start some of those conversations, a range of support service links are available to you, listed below. Beyond this list, if you or someone you know needs support, please speak to your local GP.
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
HeadsUP
Heads Up is all about giving individuals and businesses free tools and resources to take action.
Black Dog Institute
The Black Dog Institute is a not-for-profit organisation and world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
Ripple Effect
The Ripple Effect is a platform for people from the farming community to tell the story of their experiences of suicide. By sharing a story of what has helped you, you can help others learn and take action to make positive changes for their health and wellbeing.
My Compass
An online mental health tool and smart phone application. My Compass provides a personalised self-help program that you can use on your mobile phone, computer and/or tablet.
mindhealthconnect
Mindhealthconnect is the easy way to find mental health and wellbeing information, support and services from Australia’s leading health providers, together in one place.
MensLine Australia
MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is a free private and confidential phone counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
Phone: 1800 55 1800
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA)
PANDA provides a vital service across Australia by offering the only specialist national perinatal mental health telephone counselling service. They aim to reduce stigma around perinatal anxiety and depression and provide educational services to health professionals and the wider community.
Phone: 1300 726 306
Suicide Call Back Service
The Suicide Call Back Service is a 24-hour, nationwide service that provides telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, bereaved by suicide or are health professionals supporting people affected by suicide.
Phone: 1300 659 467
SuicideLine
SuicideLine is a 24/7 telephone counselling service offering professional support to people at risk of suicide, people concerned about someone else’s risk of suicide, and people bereaved by suicide.
Phone: 1300 651 251
Lifeline
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone: 13 11 14
Cancer Council
Providing evidence-based, up to date information about all aspects of cancer.
Breast Cancer Network Australia
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) works to ensure that Australians affected by breast cancer receive the very best support, information, treatment and care appropriate to their individual needs.
healthdirect Australia – Rural and remote health
Delivering health services by contracting with service providers, managing ongoing operations and implementing governance structures so that our health services are provided safely and efficiently.
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia
Improving awareness of allergy in the Australian community.
Rural and Regional Health Australia
A central entry point on information about Commonwealth regional health and ageing programmes for people living in regional Australia.
Centacare
Striving to support people in the community who have been marginalised and who are experiencing hardships and challenges in their lives.
BetterHealth Channel
Providing health and medical information to improve the health and wellbeing of people and the communities they live in.
Asthma Australia
An information and resource site for people with Asthma.
Royal Flying Doctor Service
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to people over an area of 7.3 million square kilometres.
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia is a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.
Heart of Australia
Heart of Australia delivers fortnightly specialist medical investigation and treatment clinics to regional, rural and remote area communities across Queensland, including Dalby, Goondiwindi, St George, Charleville, Roma, Emerald, Barcaldine, Longreach, Hughenden, Charters Towers and Moranbah. Heart of Australia provides specialist medical services including cardiology and respiratory medicine, so you will require a referral from your GP in order to make an appointment.
Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia was established with primary responsibility to lead the development of policy to improve work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia.
Farm Safety for Just Kids
Promote a safe farm environment to prevent health hazards, injuries, and fatalities to children and youth.
National Centre for Farmer Health
The Centre provides national leadership to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of farm men and women, farm workers, their families and communities across Australia.
Farmsafe Australia Inc
Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety Research and innovation centre investigating incidents of injury and death on Australian Farms.
Australian Centre for Agricultural Health & Safety
Research and innovation centre investigating incidents of injury and death on Australian Farms.
Agriculture Victoria
Agriculture Victoria has been created to give greater visibility to the agriculture activities of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR), giving a clear identity to agricultural services and initiatives with the department.
Guide to managing risks in cattle handling
This Guide provides information on how to manage risks associated with cattle handling at a workplace. Cattle handling can present significant risks to workers including injuries and fatalities, such as from being crushed, gored, trampled, hit or bitten by cattle.
To see how we can help your community, contact your local branch.
When a natural disaster occurs, the Australian and relevant state government may declare the area a disaster and offer those affected financial assistance. To see if the Australian government has declared an area a disaster zone check the Disaster Assist website.
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