Farm Business Resilience Program

The Farm Business Resilience Program was launched by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), alongside the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund in 2021, funded to Dec 2025

This program provides support to farmers to help improve their farm business acumen and achieve their business goals. The program takes a multi-faceted approach, offering business coaching, farm tours, workshops, networking events, and the creation of resources for farmers across NSW.

Designed for all enterprises large and small, this program is ideal for farmers, farm managers, and their employees, who are looking to upskill and learn about risk management, how to adapt to a changing climate, and improve the economic, environmental, and social resilience of their business.

The 2023 coaching program is now available, you can submit your expression of interest here.

Every state and territory has a Farm Business Resilience Program

Pilot Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the farm business coaching program?

The coaching program offers subsidised access to professional business coaches who will deliver both on-farm support and group workshops to prepare you and your business for the risks and challenges the industry faces.

Business coaching will:
- Give you the knowledge and tools needed to get the most out of your farming business.
- Improve your financial skills and, in the process, teach you new ways to build the financial viability of your business.
- Offer new skills and techniques to build your own personal resilience, to help you focus on opportunities and be equipped to deal with challenges.
- Improve your confidence in making business decisions and managing farm risk.

Delivery methods are tailored to your needs to ensure that learning and support is available no matter where you are.
You choose what you want to achieve, it's your journey.

2. What do you get?

Identify the strengths of your business and the opportunities for enhancement, allowing you to set business goals to build on the viability and overall resilience of your farm business.

One on one coaching: Fortnightly confidential one hour, one on one coaching sessions via zoom (or similar online system)

3. When does it start?

Applications have closed for the 2022 intake, but you can submit your expression of interest here.

4. Who will be my coach?

The application process involves an online application form and interview where we match your farming business to a member of our Farm Business Resilience Program coaching team. You will be matched based on your coaching needs and location.

Farm businesses are allocated business coaches by the Farm Business Resilience Program team. All allocations are final, and participants cannot change or choose their coaches. The Dept reserves the right to make changes to the program at any time.

5. What does it cost?

Applicant contributions will be paid upon entry to the program.

This is a subsidised rate - the Farm Business Resilience Program and Australian Government's Future Drought Fund are funding the main component of the business coaching program. Applicants’ contributions can be paid upon entry into the program or in installments over the first 12 weeks of the program if required.

Case Studies

The 2021 business coaching intake saw 140 farm businesses from across NSW work one on one with a professional coach to develop business plans, bank ready budgets, and manage future business risks including drought. In 2021, the Farm Business Resilience Program partnered with NSW Local Land Services and industry to deliver a wide variety of workshops and events, from succession planning to pasture management, farm finance to carbon farming.

Hear from some farmers who have been part of our pilot coaching program in 21-22.