Understanding Farm Household Allowance: Support for Farmers

Farm Household Allowance (FHA) is a critical support program designed to assist Australian farmers and their partners facing financial hardship. Whether due to unexpected weather conditions, illness, or market changes, FHA offers a safety net to help farming families regain stability.

What is Farm Household Allowance?

FHA provides eligible farmers with income support, delivered at the same rate as the JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, for up to 4 years within a 10-year period. This allowance can be utilized as needed and does not have to be claimed consecutively. In addition to income support, FHA offers access to a $10,000 Activity Supplement to fund skill development or financial advice, and up to $1,500 for a professional financial assessment. Recipients also receive a Health Care Card, providing further cost-of-living relief.

How the Activity Supplement Can Help

The Activity Supplement is a significant part of the FHA program, designed to help farmers build resilience and improve their financial stability. The $10,000 supplement can be used for a wide range of activities, including accessing expert advice, training, and professional services that can enhance both on-farm and off-farm skills. For example, farmers can use the funds to hire agronomists, attend business courses, or seek financial planning advice. This support enables farming families to not only address immediate financial difficulties but also to build a stronger, more sustainable future.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility for FHA depends on meeting specific income and asset tests, with net farm and personal assets needing to be below $5.5 million and income must be below the cut-off for the JobSeeker Payment income test amount (see Cut-off points tables below). It’s essential not to self-assess eligibility but to apply and allow Services Australia to determine your qualification.

Source: Services Australia website

How CoggerGurry Chartered Accountants Can Help

Applications can be submitted online through a myGov account linked to Centrelink. For those unable to apply online, paper forms are available. At CoggerGurry Chartered Accountants, we understand the complexities of managing farm finances, especially during challenging times. Our team can guide you through the FHA application process, ensuring all necessary documentation is complete and accurate. We can also assist in making the most of the Activity Supplement by connecting you with relevant experts and advisors. Whether you need help with financial planning, business strategy, or improving your farm operations, we can support you in utilizing these funds effectively.

For personalized assistance, contact CoggerGurry Chartered Accountants today and let us help secure your financial future.

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Unlock The Benefits Of Downsizer Super

By Cogger Gurry • October 21, 2025

If you’re nearing retirement and looking for ways to boost your superannuation savings, downsizer super contributions might be the perfect solution for you. These allow eligible Australians aged 55 and over to contribute proceeds from selling their home into their superannuation fund. A downsizer contribution allows an eligible individual to contribute an amount equal to all or part of the sale proceeds (up to $300,000 each) from the sale of their home into their superannuation fund. The contribution must not exceed the sale proceeds of the home. The great advantage is that downsizer contributions aren’t restricted by any other contribution caps or your total superannuation balance; there are no work tests; and there’s no upper age limit. It’s one of the rare ways you can contribute large amounts to your super even after the age of 75. Eligibility To make a downsizer contribution, you must: • be 55 years or older at the time of contribution; • have owned the home for 10 years or more (the owner can be you or your spouse); • sell your home that is in Australia and is not a caravan, houseboat or mobile home; • ensure the sale is exempt or partially exempt from CGT for you under the main residence exemption; • make the contribution within 90 days of receiving the sale proceeds (usually settlement date); • not have made a downsizer contribution previously from another home; and • provide your super fund with the Downsizer contribution into super form either before or at the time of making the contribution. Failure to submit the Downsizer contribution into super form on time may result in your fund rejecting the contribution or treating it as a standard non-concessional contribution, which could have adverse tax implications. The 90-day deadline from the date of settlement is also strict. If you need more time (Eg due to delays in purchasing a new home), you must apply to the ATO for an extension. Extensions are granted only in limited circumstances, such as settlement delays due to council approvals. If you are considering selling your home and wish to further explore a potential downsizer contribution, please do not hesitate to get in contact with our office (03)55710111

Big Changes Coming To AML/CTF Laws- What Our Clients Need To Know

By Cogger Gurry • October 21, 2025

The government has announced major reforms to Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws . This is the biggest update in nearly 20 years. These reforms aim to modernise how Australia combats financial crime and bring us into line with international standards. While not every business will be affected, some sectors will face new or expanded reporting and compliance obligations. Sectors likely to be impacted include: Accountants and bookkeepers Real estate agents Lawyers and conveyancers Dealers in precious metals and stones The activities you undertake, such as managing client funds, setting up companies or trusts, or handling large transactions, will determine if these new rules apply to you. AUSTRAC’s national awareness campaign will help businesses understand what’s changing and how to prepare, with guidance and tools rolling out over the next year. 👉 We’re here to help. If you’re unsure whether these reforms could affect your business, contact our team to discuss what it means for you. You can read more here - https://www.austrac.gov.au/national-reforms-awareness-campaign-launch

Vouchers And GST In Your Business

By Cogger Gurry • October 21, 2025

Vouchers and GST in your business If your business sells or buys vouchers, it’s essential to understand how to account for and report GST correctly. A voucher is a document or an electronic record that represents a right to receive goods or services. This includes physical gift cards, digital vouchers and even prepaid phone cards. When your business sells a voucher, you’re essentially providing the recipient with a promise to supply goods or services in the future, and it’s at this future point that the GST implications come into play. The ATO recognises two distinct types of vouchers. Face value vouchers Face value vouchers can be redeemed for a reasonable choice of goods and services – for example, a $50 supermarket gift card that works across all store locations. The voucher sale isn’t considered a GST taxable supply, so you don’t charge GST at the point when you sell the voucher. Instead, you account for GST when the voucher’s redeemed and the goods or services are supplied. For instance, if you sell that $50 gift card, you don’t charge GST on the gift card sale, but when the gift card’s redeemed to purchase goods worth $50, you charge GST on the supply of those goods. Non-face value vouchers Non-face value vouchers are restricted to specific goods or services – like a voucher specifically for a spa treatment, purchased for $100. With these, you account for GST (eg on the $100 price) at the time of sale, but only if the voucher is redeemable for taxable supplies. If the voucher is only redeemable for GST-free or input-taxed supplies, there’s no GST to account for. Note on expired vouchers Here’s something business owners often overlook: if you’ve sold face value vouchers that expire or remain unredeemed, and you write back the unused amount to your current income for accounting purposes, you need to make an “increasing adjustment” on your Business Activity Statement (BAS). This adjustment is 1/11th of the unredeemed balance. Keep accurate records To account for GST on vouchers you sell, you need to keep accurate records including dates of sale, redemption and/or expiration, and the amounts of GST payable. Importantly, specific rules and exceptions apply to certain types of vouchers. For example, if you sell vouchers that can be redeemed for a combination of goods and services, you need to apportion the GST accordingly. You may also need to issue a tax invoice to the customer when a voucher’s redeemed and \keep a copy of this invoice for your records. And finally, of course, you need to report GST on vouchers in your BAS in accordance with ATO guidelines.