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Farm Business Debt Mediation

The Farm Business Debt Mediation program administered through QRIDA is a structured process. It provides an efficient and equitable way for farmers and banks to attempt to resolve matters relating to farm business debt.

Windmills in paddock

As of 1 July 2017, the Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017 (Qld) (the Act) replaced the voluntary mediation scheme that was part of the Queensland Farm Finance Strategy.

The purpose of the Act is to provide an efficient and equitable way for farmers and mortgagees to attempt to resolve matters relating to farm business debts. 

Mediation is required before mortgagees can take possession of a property or other enforcement action under a farm mortgage. 

Financial problems farmers encounter are managed and addressed if they are recognised at the earliest possible stage. It's important that farmers engage the mortgagee and other advisors or agencies that include their accountant, a Rural Financial Counsellor, Legal Aid and other parties to assist them.  

If matters remain unresolved, mediation provides a structured negotiation process in which the mediator, as a neutral and independent person, can assist the farmer and the mortgagee with the aim to bring about an agreement. Mediation is confidential and usually cheaper and quicker than arbitration or litigation. 

The key participants in the mediation process are: 

  • farmers 
  • mortgagees 
  • mediators 
  • advisors and agents.

QRIDA is responsible for administering the mediation process. All parties to mediation have a responsibility to complete all relevant notices to allow mediation to occur. Guidelines, notices and forms are made available in a fillable PDF format on this website. 

Register of mediators

Frequently Asked Questions

View all FAQs

  • This is included under the ‘key definitions’ link which details the criteria for the application of the Act.

  • The parties to mediation are the mortgagee, the farmer and the mediator. Other participants are advisors, who may be your accountant, solicitor, your local Rural Financial Counsellor or some other appropriately qualified person.

  • Either the farmer or the mortgagee can initiate mediation by:

    • the mortgagee serving an Enforcement Action Notice along with a copy of the mediation information package to the farmer; or
    • the farmer giving a Request for Mediation Notice to the mortgagee whether or not they are in default. This request does not necessarily need not be in the approved form.

  • The farmer is responsible for nominating three (3) mediators in order of preference from the Register of Mediators.

    • On receipt of a Form 4 - Application for Exemption Certificate (exemption from obligation to mediation) from a mortgagee, the authority (QRIDA) will issue a Notice S50 – Show Cause Notice to the Farmer who has 20 business days to make written representation to show why an exemption certificate should not be issued.
    • On receipt of written representation from the farmer, QRIDA will provide a copy to the mortgagee and then decide application within 20 business days after the end of the show cause period.
    • Once QRIDA decides application a Notice S52 – Decision for Exemption Certificate will be provided to both parties. The outcome is a decision to either approve or refuse the application for an exemption certificate. No other directions or decisions are provided.
    • Dependant on the outcome, either party is entitled to a review (an internal review) of this decision. This is done by completing a Request for Internal Review of Original Decision Form 7 within 20 business days from the day notice was given (this document is provided with the decision notice).
    • Per Section 77(2) The original decision does not take effect until chief executive decides a review application or the end of the last day to apply for an internal review.

Get in touch

For enquiries about Farm Business Debt Mediation email contact_fbdm@qrida.qld.gov.au.

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Related information
Information for farmers
Information for mediators
Information for mortgagees
Information for advisors and agents