Frequently asked questions

If after reasonable attempts an agreement cannot be reached at mediation, the mortgagee may make application to QRIDA for an Exemption Certificate. If the application is approved, the farmer has the right of review of this decision.

At least two types of information must be provided to support a rebate claim. This information may include items such as:

• profit and loss, or management accounts showing the income received from the sale of horticultural crops
• sale dockets relating to the sale of horticultural crops
• your federal government Horticulture Levy statement obtainable from Levies Online
• farm plan/map outlining the area under production of horticultural crops
• on the ground photographic evidence (e.g. with mobile phone) showing the production and/or processing of horticultural crops
• any additional evidence on how your metered water take has been used.

The application form lists all required documentation needed to apply for this assistance, for example a statement of assets and liabilities, past years financial statements, taxation returns etc.

More details on where you can buy units can also be found online by searching for the Fisheries Queensland Vessel Tracking Installation and Maintenance Standard. 

It is a process to provide an efficient and equitable way for farmers and mortgagees to attempt to resolve matters relating to farm business debts.

A Disaster Assistance Loan of up to $250,000 is available to assist primary production businesses who have experienced direct damage as a result of the disaster event. This loan can be utilised to fund repair and reinstatement costs for your business, and to meet normal operating expenses that the business is unable to meet due to the impact of the disaster event (e.g. lease payments, property rates, creditors).

An Essential Working Capital (EWC) Loan of up to $100,000 is available to assist primary production businesses who have not experienced direct damage as a result of the disaster event but have experienced a negative impact on their normal business cashflow and are consequently unable to meet normal operating expenses (e.g. lease payments, property rates, wages, creditors). For example, a primary production businesses may be eligible for an EWC Loan if their farms were not physically impacted by the disaster event however the business suffered a significant loss of income throughout the disaster period. The business may not be able to meet normal operating expenses within its existing credit limits. These requirements over and above your existing credit limits can be met by the EWC loan.

An Exceptional Disaster Assistance Loan of up to $1 million is available to assist primary producers and business owners who have experienced direct damage as a result of the disaster event. This loan can be used to fund repair and reinstatement costs for your enterprise, and to meet normal operating expenses that the primary production enterprise or business is unable to meet due to the impact of the disaster event (e.g. lease payments, property rates, creditors). This loan term is over 10 years at 1.37% with no repayments of principal and interest in the first 2 years and with a discretionary option for a further 2 years interest only available.

A Disaster Assistance Loan of up to $250,000 is available to assist primary producers and small business owners who have experienced direct damage as a result of the disaster event. This loan term is over 10 years at 1.37% with up to 2 years interest only available.

An Essential Working Capital (EWC) Loan of up to $100,000 is available to assist primary producers and small business owners who have not experienced direct damage as a result of the disaster event but have experienced a negative impact on their normal business cashflow and are consequently unable to meet normal operating expenses (e.g. lease payments, property rates, wages, creditors). This loan term is over 10 years at 1.37% with up to 2 years interest only available.

If you would like to discuss a claim or appeal a decision, you can contact us on Freecall 1800 623 946 or email carbonfundrebate@qrida.qld.gov.au. 

QRIDA assesses applications based on the future viability of the business with the assistance provided. Security is the second consideration. Preferably security is available over landed assets, however, security over other business assets may be acceptable.

A person can apply for an internal review of the original decision, in the approved form, to the chief executive officer within 20 business days after the day the person has been given the information notice for the decision or if the person has not been given an information notice for the decision – the day the person becomes aware of the decision.

If the farmer wishes to proceed to, or enter into mediation, a response to this notice should be lodged in the form of a Request for Mediation Notice under Section 15 of the Act.

• Detail all the damage on the farm to demonstrate the need for assistance. This will also help with subsequent applications over and above the initial $10,000.
• Photographs of the direct damage are required. Photographs taken using a smartphone can be suitable – if unclear provide details of what is in the photos.
• For the initial amount of up to $10,000, you need to provide other evidence such as relevant quotes, estimates or tax invoices.
• If claiming a subsequent grant, then evidence of payment must be supplied for both the initial and subsequent grant amounts.
• Evidence of payment can be tax invoice(s) showing full details of the goods or services provided and evidence of payment for these tax invoices.

Loans eligible for refinancing are those obtained from a financial institution and held immediately before the disaster event, in relation to carrying on a primary production enterprise, small business or non-profit activities, other than any of the following types of loans:

1. off-balance sheet financing
2. a short-term credit facility
3. a loan established at a concessional rate under a Commonwealth or State government scheme or
4. an equipment finance loan.

You need to buy the units approved for your fishery. Please search online for the Fisheries Queensland Vessel Tracking Installation and Maintenance Standard to find which units are approved for which fishery. 

Funding will be available once a funding agreement is finalised with QRIDA. As project milestones are completed, grant payments will be made to your designated bank account.

Loan account statements will be issued on a financial year basis in July. If a loan statement is required at any other time, please complete the loan account statement form. Otherwise, a statement will be issued in July.

The first interest charges will start to accrue on your COVID loan on the 1 year anniversary of the loan drawdown.

Your first interest payment will be due 13 months from the date at which you received your COVID loan, for example, interest will start to calculate 1 year after the funding date and the first payment will be due one month after that.

Payments will be charged monthly thereafter and debited to your nominated business transaction account.

Visit the QRIDA forms and downloads page or read about what forms are listed in the Mediation Information Package (PDF, 294KB).

Find an accredited mediator on the Farm Business Debt Mediation page.

Freecall 1800 623 946 for assistance with your loan application. Alternatively, your accountant, bank or financial or business advisor may also be able to assist with your application also.

Department of Primary Industries (DPI) One Stop Service for Agriculture Planning and Development  

Department of Trade, Employment and Training

Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ)  

Australian Government Industry Website 

Mediation meetings are to be conducted at a place and time that is reasonably convenient to the farmer.

Mediators are accredited by QRIDA and are an independent third party who facilitates the negotiation by the parties of their own solution to the dispute. Find a mediator here.

Local Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Industry Development Officers are available to assist with your Rural Economic Development Grant application and the development and planning of your rural economic project and business.

South QLD – DPI 

Stephanie Denman, Principal Agribusiness Development Officer, North Burnett, South Burnett, Gympie, Fraser Coast and Cherbourg council areas

• 0431 862 372  

• stephanie.denman@daf.qld.gov.au 

Zane Nicholls, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Moreton council areas

• 0412 032 965  

• zane.nicholls@daf.qld.gov.au  

Peter Broomhall, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Goondiwindi, and Southern Downs council areas

• 0467 801 186

• peter.broomhall@daf.qld.gov.au

Clinton McGrath, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba council areas

• 0428 102 319  

• clinton.mcgrath@daf.qld.gov.au  

David Hickey, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Murweh, Paroo, Bulloo, Quilpie, Maranoa and Balonne council areas

• 0427 427 503  

• david.hickey@daf.qld.gov.au  

Jamie Gorry, Regional Director, South

• 0439 739 663 

• Jamie.gorry@daf.qld.gov.au

Phill Ryan, Manager, Regional Agribusiness Development

• 0419 778 437

• Phill.Ryan@daf.qld.gov.au

Rolfe Ellem, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Bundaberg and North Burnett

• 0448 362 639

• Rolfe.Ellem@daf.qld.gov.au

Emma Knight, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Western Downs 

• 0436 923 955

• Emma.knight@daf.qld.gov.au

Robert (Bob) Nissen, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer, Redlands, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Logan and Ipswich

• 0491 809 825

• Robert.nissen@daf.qld.gov.au

Central QLD – DPI

Fleur Anderson, Regional Director, Central

• 0499 830 344

• fleur.anderson@daf.qld.gov.au

Catie Loch, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Rockhampton and Livingstone Council areas

• 0436 942 958

• catie.loch@daf.qld.gov.au

Jessamine Crawford, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (Central Highlands & Woorabinda Council areas)

• 0499 769 707

• Jessamine.Crawford@daf.qld.gov.au

Ron Downing, A/Manager Regional Agribusiness Development (Central QLD)

• 0436 918 810

• ron.downing@daf.qld.gov.au

Timothy Harrison, Manager, Regional Agribusiness Strategy

• 0467 782 126

• timothy.harrison@daf.qld.gov.au

North QLD - DPI 

Peter Holden, Principal Agribusiness Development Officer (Ag Strategy) (FNQ and Atherton Tablelands)

• (07) 4017 0736

• peter.holden@daf.qld.gov.au

Greg Mason, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (FNQ, Atherton Tablelands, Gulf)

• (07) 4241 8208

• greg.mason@daf.qld.gov.au

Tim McGrath, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (FNQ, Atherton Tablelands, Gulf and Cape York)

• (07) 4241 8208

• timothy.mcgrath@daf.qld.gov.au

Brock Dembowski, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer (NQ – Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and North West Qld)

• 0467 819 592

• brock.dembowski@daf.qld.gov.au

Aileen Eccles, Manager Regional Agribusiness Development (NQ , Burdekin, Hinchinbrook and North West Qld)

• 0417 794 929

• Aileen.eccles@daf.qld.gov.au

Michael Heidenreich, Manager, Regional Agribusiness Strategy, Cairns

• 0427 553 496

• michael.heidenreich@daf.qld.gov.au