News and Coming Events
News
Financial Counsellor – Rural
Warrnambool Region and Bendigo Region
Supporting primary producers, farming families and small businesses across regional Victoria
- Two positions available — one in the Warrnambool region and one in the Bendigo region
- Up to 1.0 FTE per position
- 12-month contract
- Salary range: $88,000 to $105,000 plus superannuation, based on qualifications, skills and experience
- Applications close: Tuesday 23 June
For more information visit –
Financial Counsellor – Rural Job in Bendigo, Bendigo, Goldfields & Macedon Ranges VIC – SEEK
Financial Counsellor – Rural Job in Warrnambool, South West Coast VIC – SEEK
12 June 2026
Regional Bushfire Recovery and Resilience Program
Help Regional Communities Recover and Build Resilience
Finwell Support T/A RFCS Victoruia West is expanding its regional recovery team and recruiting passionate professionals to support small businesses, rural enterprises and communities impacted by bushfire and other disasters across Western Victoria.
We are currently recruiting for:
- 2 x Small Business Financial Counsellors / Financial Capability Workers
- 1 x Wellbeing Counsellor / Consultant
These roles will support delivery of a major regional recovery and resilience initiative across:
- Northern Grampians
- Ararat
- Southern Grampians
- Horsham
- Hindmarsh
- West Wimmera
We are seeking people who are community-minded, practical, compassionate and committed to helping regional communities recover, rebuild and prepare for future challenges.
To find out more about these upcoming roles click on the links below:
Small Business Financial Counsellor/Financial Capability Worker
2 June 2026
Are you passionate about supporting rural communities and making a real difference in people’s lives?
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Victoria West is currently seeking motivated and compassionate individuals to join our team in the following roles:
Wellbeing Counsellor
Use your experience in mental health or community support to deliver practical wellbeing assistance to farmers, small business owners, and regional communities across Western Victoria.
Small Business Financial Counsellor
Join our team as a Financial Counsellor, supporting small business and farmers across Camperdown, Colac, and Geelong regions. This role provides practical financial guidance and business planning support to regional business.
These roles offer a unique opportunity to work in a flexible, supportive environment where your work directly contributes to community resilience.
Both roles are:
✔️ Regionally based
✔️ Part of a well-established, respected support network
✔️ Focused on making a real impact across South West Victoria
If you’re ready to use your skills to support those facing financial and emotional hardship, we’d love to hear from you.
Small Business Financial Counsellor
📄 For further information and learn how to apply at:
👉 Seek Job Ad Information
📅 Applications close: Sunday 10 August 2025
For more information, please contact David Stafford, CEO 0428 579 089
Wellbeing Counsellor
📄 For further information and learn how to apply at:
👉 Seek Job Ad Information
📅 Applications close: Sunday 10 August 2025
For more information, please contact David Stafford, CEO 0428 579 089
30 July 2025
Finwell Support T/A Rural Financial Counselling Victoria West is proud to deliver a new round of targeted drought support for dairy farming communities in South-West Victoria, thanks to a generous funding commitment from the Gardiner Foundation.
From 16 June 2025 to 30 June 2026, up to $300,000 will be directed towards financial relief and wellbeing initiatives designed specifically for dairy farmers, their service providers, and regional communities. This support aims to reduce immediate financial pressure, enable informed business decisions, and foster long-term community resilience.
What’s Available?
- Essential Needs Cards
- Professional Services Fund
- Talk the Talk & Community Wellbeing Sessions
- Community Event Support
Who Is Eligible?
This is not a public relief program. Support is targeted to dairy clients actively working with Finwell Support T/A Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West, where hardship has been identified through a financial review.
Get in Touch
If you are a dairy farmer or work closely with the dairy industry in South-West Victoria and would like to explore support options, please reach out:
Call us on 1300 735 578
Email us at admin@wswrcs.com.au
We’re here to help — whether it’s with day-to-day essentials, strategic business advice, or community wellbeing.
25 June 2025
The Victorian Government has extended its On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant Program to include an additional six LGAs in Western Victoria. The grant program (announced in September 2024) continues in south west Victoria and for this region the grant amount has been increased to up to $10,000.
Newly eligible farmers can express their interest directly with Rural Finance via admin@ruralfinance.com.au. For more information on the Grant and how to apply, visit the Agriculture Victoria website here
For free assistance with understanding and applying for grants, call us at RFCS Victoria West. Using our years of experience, we can save you time and take the stress out of the application process. Call us on 1300 735 578 for an on farm appointment.
3 June 2025
Donations of hay from Gippsland farmers were gratefully accepted by their drought-stricken counterparts in the Colac/Otway region on Saturday 12 April. Truck driver Don Petty drove one of 14 rigs that transported the much-needed feed to over a dozen farmers experiencing dry conditions on Victoria’s South coast.
The event was celebrated at the Colac Showgrounds where Showgrounds President Ray Wheadon with help from committee member Gemma, made cooking facilities available and opened up the antique machinery sheds for interested parties. A handful of local farmers attended the event so that they could meet the volunteer drivers and show their heart-felt gratitude. Showgrounds and P&A committee members cooked a BBQ to feed the crew on the night and provided breakfast the following morning before the drivers headed back home.
Two of the trucks that accompanied the convoy were part of the Aussie Hay Runners charity. RFCS financial counsellor George Leishman was at the event and heard from Aussie Hay Runners founder Linda Widdup that canola hay from the Riverina may find it’s way to the region in the next few weeks. In the meantime, Don has been busy trying to organise another hay run to the Hamilton/Warrnambool region which has also seen a dry Autumn.
To find out more about Aussie Hay Runners go to https://www.facebook.com/aussiehayrunners/
29 April 2025
