CHIEF executive officer of the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) -NSW Central West Jeff Caldbeck is "hopeful" that counsellor waiting lists will not blow out after its name and boundaries change on April 1.
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But he is guaranteeing that emergencies will continue to be addressed "immediately".
Under federal reform the RFCS-NSW Central West will become the RFCS-NSW Central Region and grow to cover 52 per cent of the state.
Seventeen counsellors currently working in communities that will form the new RFCS-NSW Central Region will be reduced to 12 in response to a 50 per cent cut in recurrent federal funding.
This week Mr Caldbeck confirmed a triage system would ensure clients with urgent issues would be assisted without delay.
"We've got fewer counsellors over a larger area so at times they will have to prioritise or triage their ability to meet with people, to work with people," he said.
"I'm hopeful that we are not going to see extended delays because of this."
Mr Caldbeck said every RFCS region in NSW had a waiting list.
Recurrent federal funding after March 31 is based on farmer numbers with the RFCS-NSW Central Region having 28 per cent of the total number of farmers in the state.
RFCS-NSW Central Region will receive a net annual figure from the federal government of about $1.1 million in contrast with the $2.027 million received by RFCS-NSW Central West each year since 2011.
Nine offices will be shut down and hubs created at Dubbo, Bourke and Forbes with recurrent federal funding through to 2019.
State funding will maintain a "stand-alone" office at Broken Hill and employ a counsellor co-ordinator for the same period
Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has given permission for $700,000 saved by the RFCS-NSW Central West to go towards a "regular presence" at Tottenham, Walgett, Mudgee and Gilgandra until the end of June 2017.
Currently the 17 counsellors have been invited to lodge expressions of interest for the 12 positions, six of them evenly distributed among the three hubs.
Applicants will know if they have a job by February 16.
Mr Caldbeck said some of the current set of counsellors might not seek a new appointment because "family commitments" would make it difficult for them to travel away from home for work.
He continues to search for cash to keep valued and experienced counsellors.
The chief executive officer said changes had to be made in service delivery to "successfully assist" clients.
"From April 2016 onwards, we will provide a different service delivery model which could include servicing communities on set days, working via improved communication methods such as video-conferencing and email or even via an online counsellor during peak times," he said.
Farmers and foresters can access the RFCS-NSW Central West by calling 1800 940 040 or visiting www.rfcs-cw.com.au.
