What Rural Aid does
Rural Aid is a national charity supporting farmers, their families and rural communities. It provides disaster assistance, community development and mental health support, working with supporters, partners and volunteers.
Its aim, in its own words, is to help farmers, their families and rural communities become stronger, more connected and hopeful for the future.
Community development
Rural Aid works with rural towns to build on their strengths, foster local leadership and strengthen connections. Communities lead, and Rural Aid provides support to help turn ideas into action.
That means supporting local leadership and decision-making, helping communities plan and set goals for their own projects, backing initiatives that improve connection and wellbeing, and strengthening the networks that support farmers and families through hard times.
Mental health and wellbeing
Rural Aid’s counsellors are based in rural towns across the country, and offer free, confidential support to farmers and their families. They prefer to visit farmers on their properties.
The counselling intake line is 1300 175 594. Rural Aid lists where its counsellors are based on ruralaid.org.au.
Disaster assistance and volunteers
Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Events bring volunteers together each year to support farming families recovering from natural disasters and ongoing hardship, from repairing fences to clearing debris.
You do not need farming experience or trade skills to take part. People from all walks of life volunteer, and registration is through ruralaid.org.au.
Give, volunteer or fundraise
Donations, volunteering and fundraising are all handled on Rural Aid’s own website. Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.