Farm Advisory Service program guidelines

Background

The Victorian Government has extended existing measures in its $146.5 million Drought Support Package to support farmers and communities as they move into recovery and plan for the seasons ahead.

The extension includes 4 key programs that are available to farmers across the state:

• Farm Drought Support Grants
• Technical Decision-making Program
• Look Over the Farm Gate Program
• support for Rural Financial Counselling Services wellbeing officers in south west Victoria, north west Victoria and Gippsland.

The Farm Advisory Service is part of the Technical Decision-making Program.

What is the Farm Advisory Service?

Through the Farm Advisory Service, farm businesses can access a one-on-one consultation to help take stock and develop a tailored drought management plan. This service is delivered by a panel of technical specialists (the Approved Suppliers list) that includes:

• Farm business advisers
• Livestock nutritionists
• Soil and pasture specialists
• Water experts
• Veterinarians

Application period

1 July 2025 to 30 September 2026, or until funding is exhausted.

• Late applications will not be accepted.
• In the event funding is exhausted, program closure will be advised on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Delivery partners

Agriculture Victoria coordinates the program and sub-contracts delivery of the service through a panel of approved technical specialists (Approved Suppliers list).

Service format

Up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online), followed by a check-in (one-hour) phone call.

Focus

Take stock of the farm business and farm situation and develop a tailored drought management action plan. Participants choose the core focus of the consultation session and nominate their preferred consultant.

Confidentiality

All sessions and plans are confidential.

Eligibility criteria

The service is open to Victorian farm businesses that meet the following conditions:

• Own, share, or lease land for primary production (including hobby and small-scale farm enterprises)
• Hold a current ABN or provide other evidence of operating a farm business
• Applicants can be the owner, manager, or lessee of the business
• Applicants operate the majority of the farm business within Victoria

Consultation limits

The Farm Advisory Service is open to farm businesses operating anywhere within Victoria, subject to the following conditions:

• All regions within Victoria: 2 consultations per farm business.
• Two consultations are permitted per farm business, irrespective of how many Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) are held/linked to it and how many individuals are involved.
• Applicants who operate more than one primary production business can apply for one consultation for one of their businesses only.

Additional conditions

• Farm businesses that involve a technical specialist listed on Agriculture Victoria’s Approved Supplier list, as owner, manager or lessee are not eligible for this service*.
• Agriculture Victoria may close the program earlier than 30 September 2026, if all funds are exhausted; this is at the sole discretion of Agriculture Victoria.
• Agriculture Victoria may request further information from applicants to assist in processing the expression of interest and/or to verify eligibility.
• Agriculture Victoria reserves the right to refuse access to this program if eligibility criteria are not deemed to be met by the applicant.
• Agriculture Victoria is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and safe – physically and psychologically. Agriculture Victoria and its contractors (service providers) maintain the right to refuse or modify participant access to the service.

How to apply

To register for the Farm Advisory Service, visit Help with farm management decisions

To register:

1. Fill out the simple expression of interest form
2. Review the list of Approved Suppliers to choose your 3 preferred service providers.
3. Submit the completed form.

Agriculture Victoria will then forward applicant contact details to their preferred technical specialist. If unavailable, applicants may choose to wait or nominate an alternative. Once accepted, the technical specialist will contact the applicant to arrange a suitable meeting time. Assignment of technical specialists is not guaranteed, and preferences are subject to availability. Applicants will be notified of any delays and may update their preferences any time.

Program evaluation

• Agriculture Victoria may conduct an evaluation to determine the extent to which the one-on-one Farm Advisory Service has contributed to the Victorian Government Drought Support Package objectives.
• Participants of the program will be invited to complete a satisfaction survey (anonymous option available).
• Consultants will submit de-identified confirmation of completed consultations for reporting and payment. This information does not include personal information and is generic in nature. This information will be used to evaluate and report on the Drought Support Package and its support of Victorian farmers.
• Feedback or enquiries about the Farm Advisory Services are welcome at any time by emailing: droughtadvisoryservice@agriculture.vic.gov.au