Menu

Q&A on changes to the FarmReady Reimbursement Grants program

From 1 July 2011 FarmReady will be expanded to include training for agritourism and food tourism and will reimburse 65 per cent of the eligible course cost.

General Questions

Primary Producers

Indigenous Land Managers

Training Providers

 

I heard that there have been changes to the FarmReady program. What are the changes?

The Australian government is expanding the successful FarmReady Reimbursement Grants Program to include training in agritourism and food tourism.
The new key learning area is: Agritourism and food tourism management – its marketing, customer relations, product development and coordination.
As well, when FarmReady Reimbursement Grants reopen on 1 July 2011 primary producers and wild game harvesters will now be reimbursed 65 per cent of the course costs, up to $1500 per financial year. Primary producers and wild game harvesters will be required to contribute 35 per cent of the course costs.

 

Why has the government introduced the co-contribution requirement?

Last year the program was so popular that its entire budget was expended in just 19 weeks.  This meant that many people missed out on an opportunity to attend a training course.  This decision will not only encourage primary producers to invest in their own training, but will extend the life of FarmReady and make the program accessible to more primary producers.

 

Does the co-contribution requirement affect the associated reasonable costs for travel, accommodation, meals and childcare?

No. The introduction of the co-contribution does not affect associated reasonable costs. This allowance is still capped at $500 per person per financial year. We recognise that people in remote areas already have a lot of challenges to get to training courses.  This funding is to help them with these costs.

 

Why do I now need to pay 35% of the course costs?

The government has introduced the co-contribution to encourage primary producers and wild game harvesters to invest in their own training. In addition last year the program was so popular that its entire budget was expended in just 19 weeks.  This meant that many people missed out on an opportunity to attend a training course.  This decision will also help extend the life of FarmReady and make the program accessible to more primary producers.

 

I already have an existing pre-approval to attend training before this change. Will I now have to pay a co-contribution?

No. prior pre-approvals will be honoured as per the guidelines at the time the pre-approval was given.

 

I used to have a pre-approval to attend a course but I didn’t attend. Can I get this pre-approval back?

No. Any pre-approvals that have lapsed cannot now be reinstated.  You will need to apply for a new pre-approval and you will have to make a co-contribution.

 

Do the changes affect Indigenous land managers?

Indigenous land managers will not need to make a co-contribution. They will now be able to seek pre-approval for FarmReady to attend agritourism and food tourism approved courses.

 

Why does the FarmReady Reimbursement grant now include support for agritourism and food tourism training?

The addition of agritourism and food tourism to FarmReady assistance will fill the gap between agricultural sector skills and the skills required for tourism. A gap that was identified in the ABARES 2010 study Drivers of regional agritourism and food tourism in Australia.
Agritourism skills are often underutilised on farms which is why FarmReady is now available for training in Agritourism skills.

 

How do you define agritourism and food tourism?

Agritourism and food tourism is defined in the Program Guidelines as ‘an activity, enterprise or business that combines primary elements and characteristics of agriculture and tourism and provides an experience for visitors that stimulates positive on farm and regional economic activity’.

 

Can I submit an agritourism or food tourism course for FarmReady registration?

Yes. The registration of training courses remains open and the FarmReady guidelines now allow for agritourism and food tourism courses to become registered.
All applications will be processed by the FarmReady Program Administrator.

 

I’m an agritourism / food tourism training provider. What do I need to do to register a course?

You can get more information about registering a course and the FarmReady process at farmready.gov.au, by phoning the FarmReady Program Administrator on (freecall) 1800 087 670 or by emailing admin@farmready.gov.au

 

Have you considered the effect of a co-contribution on training businesses?

Yes. The government understands that this announcement may cause some initial difficulties for training providers. However, there was significant stakeholder concern regarding the suspension of the reimbursement grants in November 2010 so this was considered the best way to address this concern. These are difficult budgetary times and the government has taken a responsible position to keep within the budget and meet its election commitment.

 

I’ve got people already pre-approved to attend my up-coming training course, are they still covered by FarmReady?

Yes. Pre-approvals that have already been accepted and approved prior to this change will be honoured and processed as before, provided that all of the necessary post-course materials are provided to the FarmReady Program Administrator by the participants and accepted.

 

Back to top