Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search

Help for those affected by flood

Visit nema.gov.au.

Close
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Minister
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Plant health
    • Drought and rural support
    • Mouse infestation advice
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade Lowering biosecurity risks to Australia, and assisting industry to accelerate growth towards a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030.
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Our science strategy
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Read more about our Budget

    Budget October 2022-23

    The 2022–23 October Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 October 2022.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. News and media
  4. A consistent approach to farm debt mediation

Back to news - AWE

  • Back to news

A consistent approach to farm debt mediation

  • Media release
  • Farming
2 December 2022

The National Better Practice Guide for Farm Debt Mediation has been released.

First Assistant Secretary of Farm Resilience, Melissa Brown, said the guide provides further national consistency by introducing a set of uniform principles to assist those involved in farm debt mediation (FDM).

“The guide seeks to encourage transparent and nationally consistent practices of debt resolution across states” Ms Brown said.

“The outcome will be greater certainty and improved opportunities to achieve equitable outcomes for our farmers and their lenders.

The guide was developed by the Australian Government in consultation with stakeholders, including Australian Banking Association and National Farmers’ Federation.

CEO of Australian Banking Association, Anna Bligh, said banks are always looking for ways to better support customers during times of financial difficulty.

“This guide is a great example of a resource that will work to help farmers re-establish and maintain their viability, and support best practice in farm debt mediation across Australia,” Ms Bligh said.

CEO of National Farmers’ Federation, Tony Mahar, said the guide could not come at a better time as many farmers contend with damaging weather events and will need to negotiate paths forward with their lenders.

“Ensuring farm debt mediation is conducted on an equal playing field allows more opportunity to reach an outcome that is fair and equitable for all involved,” Mr Mahar said.

“The guide’s consideration of personal issues, such as mental and physical health also improves holistic support for farmers who may find their business in financial distress.”

A tailored summary of the guide has also been developed specifically for farmers, as well as a comparison summary of state FDM schemes to assist stakeholders operating across multiple jurisdictions.

To read the guide or for more information visit: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/droug…

Fast Facts

  • FDM refers to a structured negotiation process between a farmer and their lender to resolve a farm debt issue with the use of an independent mediator to assist both parties.
  • The guide outlines 7 principles for parties involved in FDM activities:
    • Principle 1: Early engagement between farmers and lenders is encouraged.
    • Principle 2: Farm debt resolution activities should be outcomes-focused.
    • Principle 3: Consider support for personal issues, including mental and physical health.
    • Principle 4: Information about FDM should be clear and accessible.
    • Principle 5: Farmers should seek appropriate support and independent professional advice.
    • Principle 6: FDM should be conducted on an even playing field.
    • Principle 7: All parties are expected to act in good faith.
  • Agricultural loans and leases totalled $94 billion at 30 June 2021—an increase of around 6% or $5 billion from 30 June 2020.
  • In 2020–21 there were 129 instances of farm debt mediation and 10 new foreclosures.
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Copy link

Contact us

Agriculture:

media@agriculture.gov.au

(61 2) 6272 3232

Related

Boxes of fruit and vegetables for sale are stacked on tables at a market

New standard new chair for organic and bio-dynamic produce

  • News
  • Agriculture
19 December 2022
Farmer picking fruits

Hands-free horticulture sees higher production

  • Media release
  • ABARES
07 December 2022
Image of a wheat field

A bumper year for agriculture despite flooding

  • Media release
  • ABARES
06 December 2022
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 02 December 2022

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.