Farmers in Victoria purchasing operator protection devices (OPDs) for their quad bikes or buying a safer alternate vehicle from today are now eligible for rebates of up to $1200.

“Farmers purchasing Quadbar or ATV Lifeguard OPDs or buying a safer vehicle to replace their quad bike will be eligible for the rebate,” VFF Vice President Brett Hosking said.

“I’d also like to highlight that all purchases, made from today, are eligible. However farmers will not be able to lodge their applications for the rebate until October 1.”

The Victorian Government’s Quad Bike Safety Rebate Scheme is being overseen by WorkSafe Victoria and administered by the Victorian Farmers Federation, which has set up the www.bequadsafe.com.au website to answer farmers’ questions on the scheme and eligibility criteria for the rebate.

“It’s vital that farmers protect themselves, their families and their employees from the risks of using quad bikes,” Mr Hosking said.

“Quad bikes are one of the most versatile and durable pieces of equipment on our farms, but with that versatility comes the increased risk of accidents, so we need to do all we can to make them safer or replace them with another vehicle.

“The $6 million scheme is expected to deliver rebates to more than 5000 farmers. The funding is available for the next two years, earlier if demand is high and the fund runs dry.”

Mr Hosking stressed the importance of making an early application to improve the chances of being approved for the scheme.

Eligible farmers can apply for a rebate of either:

• $1200 for the purchase of an alternate vehicle such as a side-by-side vehicle (SSV) or a small utility vehicle (SUV). The alternate vehicle must be designed for use in agriculture and at point of sale have rollover protection and a fitted seatbelt. Sport vehicles and small commercial vehicles, such as utes, are excluded.
• Up to $600 for the purchase of up to two operator protection devices (OPD). The OPD must have been designed and manufactured in accordance with approved engineering standards and independently tested to be eligible for the rebate. There are currently two OPD devices that meet these criteria and are eligible for the rebate. They are the Quadbar ™ and the ATV Lifeguard.

“There has been confusion over the requirements for an alternative vehicle, but we’re obviously only going to consider vehicles that have been designed for agricultural purposes, not for sport or other recreational activities,” Mr Hosking said.

Source: VFF. Further details on farmer eligibility for the scheme can be found at www.bequadsafe.com.au