Rural Financial Counsellor in Adelaide

We are employing a Rural Financial Counsellor to service the LGAs of Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Etheridge, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond.

This is a maximum term contract to 30 June 2028. Closing date for applications is 28 October, although the employer reserves the right to close the application closing date earlier.

About us

Rural Financial Counselling Service North Qld is a business unit of the Central Western Qld Remote Area Planning and Development Board, or RAPAD. RAPAD is a leader in regional and economic development, advocacy, and a proud and effective delivery agency of many government programs. This role is funded by the Qld Reconstruction Authority, Qld Department of Primary Industries via the Federal Government's Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

About the role

The Rural Financial Counsellor will enhance the quality and quantity of financial support for primary production enterprises and related small businesses within the RFCSNQ catchment, who are recovering from AGRN 1243 Queensland Monsoon Trough, Cyclone Koji, Cyclone Narelle and Severe Weather, 24 December 2025 – 24 April 2026. The role will be home based with frequent travel throughout the service region, operating primarily within the local government areas (LGAs) of Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Etheridge, Flinders, McKinlay and Richmond, with support also provided in Charters Towers, Longreach and Winton where directed.

Key responsibilities

• Analyse clients' farming or business activities and financial circumstances and provide objective information to help them identify their financial and business options for business improvement or adjustment.
• Provide case management support to clients where appropriate, with the aim of assisting the clients to achieve self-reliance and being better equipped to manage future change.
• Assist clients in negotiations with lenders and financial institutions in the presence of the client or with the written authority of the client.
• Provide information on government and other assistance schemes (including industry and community-based programs) to facilitate clients' participation in such programs.
• Provide referrals to appropriate professionals, such as accountants, lawyers, social counsellors, agricultural advisers and educational services, and to Centrelink and other relevant government agencies.
• Maintain client records and electronic data using a client management system.
• Help clients understand their financial and business position and options.
• Improve clients' abilities to plan operations, achieve realistic goals and identify risks.
• Connect clients to information about government and industry assistance.
• Develop a plan to implement the options chosen by the client and provide advice to implement that plan.

About you

• Demonstrated ability to prepare detailed financial analyses for clients, to develop and present a range of financial and business options for business improvement or adjustment.
• Ability and preparedness to provide case management support to clients to develop their capacity to take control over the financial affairs of their enterprise and help them adapt and change.
• Demonstrated high level of oral communication, interpersonal, mediation and networking skills, including the ability to communicate with diverse cultural groups.
• Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and to plan, manage and report on work, and to prioritise and meet competing deadlines while working as part of a dispersed team.
• Demonstrated understanding of rural issues, including production analysis, farm enterprise risk analysis and options, and business management issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how Australian banks and rural lenders assess, structure and enforce agricultural loans, including serviceability, security, restructuring and hardship processes, and the ability to interpret farm financial statements to negotiate effectively with lenders on a client's behalf.
• Demonstrated and proficient computer skills, including skills with Microsoft Excel, a client management system, word-processing software, financial analysis spreadsheets, data entry and email.
• Demonstrated awareness and understanding of the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) issues relating to employment as a rural financial counsellor.
• Current unrestricted driver's licence.
• Diploma of Financial Counselling or Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling) qualifications considered favourably; applicants without the diploma must be prepared to enrol immediately upon appointment and complete within the period of employment.

Travel

Extensive travel throughout the service region will be required in this role.

Minimum qualifications

Diploma of Financial Counselling/Diploma in Community Services (Financial Counselling) qualifications will be considered favourably, coupled with a passion for supporting sustainable and resilient farming enterprises. Applicants who do not have the diploma must be prepared to enrol in the diploma immediately upon appointment, commence it within three months and complete it within this period of employment. The organisation will cover the costs of the diploma. Applicants who have other relevant post-secondary qualifications may be able to access recognition of prior learning. Applicants with significant relevant work experience may be able to undertake recognition of current competencies.

Tertiary qualifications in agri-business, accounting, finance or economics or other related discipline or significant professional experience building financial capacity within the agricultural sector is highly desirable.

Benefits

• 5 weeks' annual leave.
• Provision of company vehicle, laptop, mobile phone for work purposes.
• Flexible work options.
• Salary sacrificing options.
• Portable Long Service Leave contributions through QLeave.
• Collaborative work environment with a supportive, experienced team.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the resilience and sustainability of agricultural businesses.