Farm Debt Mediation Grants Program

The Department of State Growth is now accepting applications for the Farm Debt Mediation Grant Program. This Tasmanian Government program helps farmers with financial difficulties cover costs for mediation under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2024.

Farmers can receive a $3,000 grant to pay for mediation fees, professional advisory services relevant to mediation travel, accommodation, or room rental. Each farmer can only receive the grant only once.

Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received as complete applications. There is limited funding available for this program.

Questions regarding the program can be directed to the Department of State Growth by emailing FDMTasmania@stategrowth.tas.gov.au or calling 1800 440 026 before the program closes.

Opens: 4 December 2024

Closes: 3 December 2025, or once the program funds have been exhausted (whichever comes first).

Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application via email.

Farm Debt Mediation Grant Program Guidelines (PDF 378.7 KB)

Eligibility

You must meet all the eligibility criteria to apply for a grant.

You may be asked to supply documentation to support your eligibility claims as part of the application process, or as part of an audit process to confirm your claims are true and correct.

To be eligible for a grant an applicant must:

1. Be registered for tax purposes in Australia with a continuously active Australian Business Number (ABN) trading for at least 12 months before the time of applying for the grant.
Exceptions to 3.1 may be considered, noting that the applicant will be required to provide relevant evidence to support their application, for example:
1. An applicant that has purchased a business that was actively trading for at least 12 months.
2. An applicant that has changed their business structure which has resulted in a new active ABN issued, but the business has been in operation for at least 12 months from the time of applying for the grant.

2. Be a farmer or farm business with a farm debt that is entering into mediation as provided for under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2024.
3. Be a legal entity, for example an individual or any company or organisation that has legal rights and responsibilities including tax findings.
4. Not have previously received any funding under this program.
5. Provide the following:
   1. a signed statutory declaration of financial hardship confirming inability to effectively participate in mediation given the financial costs;
   2. evidence that a mediation process has commenced or is likely to commence under the Act with a signed copy of Form 8: Intake Agreement for Farm Debt Mediation, which must be signed by both parties (the farmer and the creditor) and the mediator*;
   
   *Mediators must be authorised to mediate under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2024 by the Farm Debt Mediation Commissioner. View a list of authorised mediators on the Department of State Growth's website.

Ineligible applicants include

1. Not-for-profit organisations, incorporated associations, or charities UNLESS the organisation is running as a business employing paid staff and selling goods and services to customers that make up more than 30 per cent of their income. Any public company as defined in the Corporations Act 2001.
2. Local, State or Australian Government entities.
3. Third party submissions, unless the applicant has provided the third party with written permission to do so on their behalf, and this permission is given as evidence with the application.
4. Any application without the required supporting evidence.

How do I apply?

Applications should be submitted using SmartyGrants. Please complete the Farm Debt Mediation Grant Program application form.

For assistance with using SmartyGrants, please see the applicant help guide.

Applicants without internet access should contact Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026 to discuss alternative methods for applying prior to the program closing, noting that the program will close early if funding is fully allocated prior to the nominated closing date.

1. Prepare: Read the program guidelines and the frequently asked questions (FAQs) before starting an application.
2. Start: The application form is available on the Farm Debt Mediation website.
3. Confirm: Ensure all required information and documentation is accurate and attached. You may not be able to change an application or provide additional information after you submit your application.
4. Submit: You will receive an email notification after you submit your application. Keep this notification as confirmation of your submission.
5. Assessment: Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and will continue until the program closes or all funding allocated to the program is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Applicants that have commenced or have submitted an application that is yet to be assessed at the time funding is exhausted will be notified that all funding has been allocated and that the program has closed.
6. Further information: During the assessment process the Department of State Growth may, at its discretion, require further information to support or clarify details provided in an application. This information must be provided within seven (7) calendar days, unless otherwise advised. In these instances, State Growth will re-open the application form and email the applicant with instructions about what is required.
7. Notification: We will notify you with the outcome of your application via email.

You may be asked to provide information or documentation after you have submitted your application.

You must provide this information within seven working days, unless otherwise advised. Failure to provide the information within the timeframe may result in the application being unsuccessful.

The information you provide may be subject to authenticity checks using third party software.

If you require assistance completing your application, please contact the Department of State Growth on 1800 440 026 or at FDMTasmania@stategrowth.tas.gov.au.