New to farming: a plain guide to the money side
Starting out in farming is mostly a money problem. These guides explain it in plain words, in the order most new farmers need it: what it costs, ways in without buying land, your first budget, and the registrations to sort before you buy stock.
- Getting started in farming: the money side
Most new farmers in Australia start without buying land. They lease, share farm or agist, and spend their money on stock, gear and a cash buffer instead. In the first years, watch the cash more closely than the profit, because farm income comes in a few big cheques and the bills come every month.
9 minute read - Ways into farming without buying a farm
You can start farming without buying land by leasing a block, share farming, running stock on agistment, working on a farm first, going into a joint venture or taking over the family farm. Each one costs less up front than buying, but each needs a written agreement checked by a solicitor. Work out the money for your option with a budget before you sign.
9 minute read - Your first farm budget, step by step
Start with a gross margin for your one enterprise, using a NSW DPIRD budget as the template. Then take off your overheads, interest and loan repayments to get a whole-farm budget, and spread every line across the months to build a cashflow. The cashflow shows the lowest your bank balance will get, which is the number that matters most in your first year.
10 minute read - Setting up a farm business: a starter checklist
Before you buy stock, get an ABN, a Property Identification Code (PIC) for the land, LPA accreditation for cattle, sheep or goats, a separate bank account and the right insurance. Before you sell, make sure stock are tagged for NLIS and you can fill in a National Vendor Declaration. Then keep every record for at least five years and compare your books with your budget each month.
9 minute read - What loans are available to farmers in Australia
Farmers in Australia mostly borrow through term loans, overdrafts and seasonal facilities, equipment finance, livestock finance and land loans, with RIC and state loans for those who qualify. The rule of thumb is to match the loan to the job: short-term money for costs that come back within the year, and longer loans for land and gear. Lenders mainly look at whether the farm can make the repayments, what security backs the loan and how you have run your accounts.
10 minute read - RIC loans explained: drought, farm investment and AgriStarter
The Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) is an Australian Government lender that offers low-interest farm loans alongside your bank. As at October 2026 it lists six loans, from the $2 million AgriStarter, Farm Investment and Drought Loans to smaller drought and recovery loans, all at a 5.71% variable rate from 1 August 2026. You need your bank's support, at least half your debt must stay with a commercial lender, and you must show financial need and a viable business.
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General information only, written for Australian farmers and checked against official sources as at October 2026. Government schemes open and close, so check the agency's page before you apply.
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