Farm business specialists encourage Camperdown farmers to apply for the new Farm Safety Rebate Scheme

David Maher is an Accounting and Taxation Principal within Sinclair Wilson's Camperdown office. David provides small businesses and individuals with Accounting and Taxation advice. David can also assist his clients...

A Victorian Government rebate of up to $5000 is currently available for eligible farm businesses to invest in safety improvements on and around their enterprise.

Provided via Agriculture Victoria’s Farm Safety Rebate Scheme, the rebate is available provided the eligible farm business in Camperdown, Hamilton, Warrnambool or Colac makes a 50% cash co-contribution to the safety improvements, and that any installation takes place after 25 February 2021.

Only one rebate payment is permitted, and all eligible claims must be included on the farm’s Application Form – which can be accessed by clicking here.

The scheme opened late last month,and will close either on 31 December 2021 or when the $3 million program funds have been allocated (whichever comes first.)

How does the Farm Safety Rebate Scheme work?

• Rebates of up to $5,000 excluding GST are available to eligible farm businesses to improve safety.
• Each farm business can only apply once for a rebate for the life of the Scheme.
• Rebates will require at least 50 per cent cash co-contribution.
• All eligible projects must be purchased and installed on or after the commencement date of this Scheme.
• The Scheme is available to eligible farm businesses throughout the state of Victoria.

What farm businesses are eligible?

To be eligible for the rebate, the applicant must:

1. Be the owner, operator, share farmer or lease holder of a farm business:
   • That operates on land in Victoria;
   • Is located where the Project will be installed,
   • Is focused on ‘Primary Production’ (as defined in the Program Guidelines),
   • Has an Australian Business Number (ABN);
   • Is registered for GST.

I have multiple farm businesses and properties. Can each business apply for a rebate?

The guidelines clearly state that an applicant who operates more than one farm business or who has more than one farm property can only apply for one rebate.

The Victorian Government has indicated that Projects that have already received (or are approved to receive) funding from another Victorian Government source will be ineligible for funding under this Scheme.

How do I apply?

The Farm Safety Rebate Scheme application form is available by clicking here. The form requires the applicant to provide:

1. Proof of Property Location: eg:

• Copy of latest Council Rates that identifies the farm property address
• Lease documentation
• Share-farming contract

2. Proof of Proposed Expenditure:

To receive “In-Principle” approval to complete the proposed work within 3 months, quotes from a registered supplier or evidence of item must be provided. This can include the screen shot of the registered price, or a PDF of the provided quote.

3. Evidence of Payment & Photos (once the work has been completed):

A copy of paid tax invoices, receipts or bank statements that show payment for or of the works will be required before the rebate is issued identifying payment for eligible works.

What kind of activities does it cover?

There is a full list in the Rebate Scheme Guidelines, which you can download by clicking here.

It includes work and items such as:

• The purchase and installation of child safety fencing, so that safe play areas can be installed on a farming property
• Safety and warning signs to be purchased and installed around the farming property. This would include signs such as:
  • Children Playing
  • Speed limits
  • Overhead powerlines
  • Chemical hazards
  • Deep water
  • Hearing protection must be worn
• Animal handling equipment, such as a cattle crush or sheep handling systems
• Loading ramps
• Roofed sheep races
• Chemical storage sheds (provided they meet relevant Australian Standards), washdown and shower facilities
• Eyewash stations
• Installation of electrical safety systems, such as safety switches, and improved wiring through sheds
• Purchase and installation of a reversing camera on farm tractors and vehicles
• Retrofitting of in-vehicle safety equipment, such as seatbelts in old vehicles, seatbelt warning lights or deadman switches
• The purchase and installation of retrofitted machinery guards

All funded projects must comply with Australian Standards (including installation) where required by regulation. Installations must comply with the manufacturer’s instructions and use licensed tradesmen when required by legislation, council regulation or the manufacturer’s instructions. This is the responsibility of the farm business.

For general advice relating to farm safety, farm safety checklists, or farm safety audits, contact WorkSafe Victoria:

Telephone: 1800 136 089

Web: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au

For further information about the Farm Safety Rebate Scheme, and to be certain about the eligibility of your farm business and the project you hope to undertake, contact Sinclair Wilson’s specialist farm advisors.