Help at hand for farmers recovering after fires

19 March 2026

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging bushfire affected farmers to access recovery support as it passes two months since the blazes brought significant impacts to agriculture and communities.

Agriculture Recovery Manager Sarah Wallis said farmers are navigating short, medium and long term recovery, and Agriculture Victoria staff are here every step of the way.

‘We know that all farming businesses are unique and recovery will depend on many factors and occur at different paces. We want to remind farmers that support is available.

‘Our staff are on the ground in local communities, partnering with local shires and other support services, to provide farm management advice, and chat with farmers, their families and the community.

‘Recovery staff are also at events providing farmers with technical advice on a wide range of topics including managing and feeding livestock, pasture recovery, managing and protecting farm water supplies, farm mapping and re-fencing.’

Financial assistance is also available:

• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to assist with clean-up and reinstating enterprises. Funding can be used for essential recovery activities such as disposing of stock, rebuilding or replacing damaged on-farm infrastructure and restoring operations

• Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 for those who have suffered major asset damage or loss of income. Funding can be used to cover essential costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, rebuilding infrastructure, purchasing livestock and meeting working capital expenses like wages, rent and fodder.

Apply for grant at Rural Finance.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) can help with grant applications including eligibility questions, alongside their free and independent financial information, decision-making support and referral services to farmers. RFCS can be contacted on 1300 771 741.

‘Support is here for farmers, families, and rural communities feeling stressed or overwhelmed, and we encourage anyone seeking support to get in contact with the services available’, said Ms Wallis.

Wellbeing Counsellors offer free, confidential support and are available to visit bushfire-affected producers and their families at their property or over the phone. To access the support of a specialist wellbeing counsellor, call the RFCS on 1300 771 741.

For more information on available supports, visit our Bushfires page.

Media contact: Makayla Rimington, media@deeca.vic.gov.au