Rabobank’s Client Councils partner with AgriFocused to help farmers hone agribusiness administrative skills

Rabobank’s Rabo Client Councils have partnered with rural training provider AgriFocused to deliver farm business skills for primary producers in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.

The practical online Farm Office Plus program provides tools to improve management of the “office side” of farming businesses.

The hands-on training aims to assist with establishing easy record-keeping systems, streamlining bill payment and bookkeeping, reduce accounting fees, minimise filing time and develop time management skills.

The initiative has been spearheaded and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Client Councils, a group of innovative, forward-thinking clients who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and who support initiatives with the goal of making a meaningful impact on the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia.

Through the support of the NSW and Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Councils, farm businesses can sign up for Farm Office Plus training at a discounted price. Course participants do not have to be Rabobank clients. The discounted positions are limited to 160 and will be distributed in order of registration.

Rabobank’s NSW Client Council member and Gunning-based sheep and cattle producer Lucy Knight said there is a “need and thirst” amongst farmers to build office administration skills.

“Many farming businesses are becoming larger, more complex and operating with fewer staff – managing the farm office is not immune from these pressures – farmers are looking for ways to streamline administrative processes,” Mrs Knight said.

The Farm Office Plus training is designed for people who may have been “battling in the office for a while” and looking for an opportunity to upskill, she said.

Mrs Knight said the training aims to enhance farmers’ “non-paddock skills” and boost their confidence in managing their farm office.

The training will be delivered by AgriFocused founder Carmen Quade. Ms Quade has worked as a university lecturer in accounting and agribusiness, as well as having experience in local government, focused on economic and community development and corporate governance. Together with her husband and family members, Ms Quade is a partner in a mixed farming business at Tallimba, in the Northern Riverina.

Ms Quade said the administrative requirements of running a farming business have grown exponentially.

“Staying on top of finances, managing the email load and fulfilling record keeping requirements can take a lot of time, often impacting on farm operations and family life,” she said. “Efficient and effective systems and a better understanding of tech solutions can win back hours. And timely information can lead to less stress and better decisions.”

Rabobank state manager for NSW Toby Mendl said Rabobank’s Client Councils are helping rural communities flourish.

“Alongside local Client Council members, we engage in listening and learning about the key issues that matter most to our clients, communities and the broader food and agriculture industry,” he said.

Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council network is focussed on developing meaningful grassroots initiatives to support key themes focusing on building industry capacity, championing rural-wellbeing, sustainability and strengthening the rural/urban connection.

Mr Mendl said the AgriFocused training is “empowering farmers by providing the tools and systems that help with the growing complexity of the administrative tasks associated with farming businesses. Ultimately, this allows them to make timely decisions, spend more time in the paddock and allocate more time on other aspects of their business”.

Farm businesses based in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania can sign up for the Farm Office Plus training and receive a $200 discount. This offer is available until March 2026 or until supported positions are filled.

To find out more about the program, click here