Published Friday, 20 April, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
RURAL TRAINING SUBSIDY INCREASE
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin today announced an increase to the FarmBis subsidy which will make training more affordable for rural Queenslanders.
“The subsidy will increase from 50 per cent to now cover 65 per cent of the cost of a course across all categories of FarmBis training,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Primary producers, indigenous land managers and rural land managers undertaking approved management level learning activities can apply for the subsidy.
“Since the AAA FarmBis program began in 2005, more than 4700 people have received financial support for training through FarmBis.
“The subsidy increase is being introduced to make it easier for producers to undertake training, which in turn helps businesses to be more resilient in tough times.”
Mr Mulherin said the increased subsidy would apply to training activities applied for from April 17 this year.
Eligible training includes business and natural resource management skill areas, including financial risk management, whole farm planning and techniques for sustainable production.
“Although a wide range of courses are already available through the 120 FarmBis registered training providers, producers may also work with trainers to develop courses relevant to their specific business or industry needs,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Improvement of risk and land management skills in our rural workforce is critical in the current drought situation if we are to ensure the sustainability of Queensland’s primary industries.”
Queensland FarmBis State Planning Group Chair Leith Boully said that while a high number of producers had signed on for training courses, FarmBis had found in recent months that many enrolments had also then been cancelled.
“The current widespread drought has had a negative effect on the financial circumstances of a large number of producers, making it difficult to find money to spend on training,” Ms Boully said.
“By increasing the FarmBis subsidy we will be meeting a significant part of the costs to make training more accessible.”
FarmBis is a jointly funded initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments to provide financial assistance to Queensland primary producers and land managers undertaking management training and education.
For further information about courses, training providers and training locations visit www.farmbis.qld.gov.au or contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 to speak to FarmBis about your training needs.
For more information on the subsidy, contact State Coordinator FarmBis Meg Eisemann on 07 3239 3235.
Media: 323 96530
“The subsidy will increase from 50 per cent to now cover 65 per cent of the cost of a course across all categories of FarmBis training,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Primary producers, indigenous land managers and rural land managers undertaking approved management level learning activities can apply for the subsidy.
“Since the AAA FarmBis program began in 2005, more than 4700 people have received financial support for training through FarmBis.
“The subsidy increase is being introduced to make it easier for producers to undertake training, which in turn helps businesses to be more resilient in tough times.”
Mr Mulherin said the increased subsidy would apply to training activities applied for from April 17 this year.
Eligible training includes business and natural resource management skill areas, including financial risk management, whole farm planning and techniques for sustainable production.
“Although a wide range of courses are already available through the 120 FarmBis registered training providers, producers may also work with trainers to develop courses relevant to their specific business or industry needs,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Improvement of risk and land management skills in our rural workforce is critical in the current drought situation if we are to ensure the sustainability of Queensland’s primary industries.”
Queensland FarmBis State Planning Group Chair Leith Boully said that while a high number of producers had signed on for training courses, FarmBis had found in recent months that many enrolments had also then been cancelled.
“The current widespread drought has had a negative effect on the financial circumstances of a large number of producers, making it difficult to find money to spend on training,” Ms Boully said.
“By increasing the FarmBis subsidy we will be meeting a significant part of the costs to make training more accessible.”
FarmBis is a jointly funded initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments to provide financial assistance to Queensland primary producers and land managers undertaking management training and education.
For further information about courses, training providers and training locations visit www.farmbis.qld.gov.au or contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 to speak to FarmBis about your training needs.
For more information on the subsidy, contact State Coordinator FarmBis Meg Eisemann on 07 3239 3235.
Media: 323 96530