Drought support package for Victorian farmers
The Victorian Government is providing more than $146.5 million in drought support.
Farm Drought Support Grants
Eligible farmers across Victoria can apply for grants under the Farm Drought Support Grants program (formerly the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Program).
The grant now covers more activities. Farmers can get help with water carting and pasture re-establishment to help them manage a wide range of challenges.
Updated guidelines for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program are now available.
Help with farm management decisions
The Farm Advisory Service allows Victorian farmers to access a one-on-one consultation with a technical specialist, including agronomists, veterinarians, livestock nutritionists, pasture specialists and farm business advisors. Farmers from across the state can now apply for a second one-on-one consultation.
This service works with farmers to help them find the best strategies for their farm businesses.
Review the panel of specialist farm advisors and submit an expression of interest below.
Primary Producer Support Payments – south west Victoria
Primary Producer Support Payments have provided cashflow relief to primary producers in 12 south west local government areas, including parts of West Wimmera shire that have experienced the effects of drought the longest.
Eligible councils have received a lump sum payment to support primary producers equivalent of up to a 40% farm property rate reduction in 2025–26.
Councils are responsible for distributing these payments.
Household Financial Relief payments – south west Victoria
The Household Financial Relief Program is providing financial assistance to help with household expenses of eligible farming families and those working on farms affected by drought conditions.
Up to $1,000 is available for farmers, farm employees and contractors in 11 south west local government areas and parts of West Wimmera Shire.
The program is being administered by the Country Women’s Association of Victoria (CWA) and will open soon.
For more information or to apply, visit the CWA website.
Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program
The Victorian Government is investing $1 million in a Catchment Management Authority Drought Employment Program to support people affected by dry conditions.
Corangamite CMA and Glenelg–Hopkins CMA will deliver regional programs focused on improving catchment health through activities like pest and weed control, riparian fencing and revegetation.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply now:
Moving hay and fodder across states
Agriculture Victoria is providing a free and tailored service to suppliers, transporters and farmers to help them to efficiently navigate the permit requirements to bring feed into Victoria while managing biosecurity risks.
In addition, the Victorian Drought Freight Network is now in place to support fodder and grain movements on key freight routes in south west Victoria.
Duties and fees relief package
This is a duties and fees relief package of more than $10 million towards waivers of biosecurity duties and targeted relief from regulatory fees and charges.
Agriculture Victoria is working with livestock biosecurity compensation fund advisory committee chairs, and food safety regulators Dairy Food Safety Victoria and PrimeSafe, to develop this package.
In addition, Agriculture Victoria will waive indexation on its 2025–26 biosecurity fees and charges, to assist farmers experiencing cashflow challenges.
More information on duties and fees relief.
Mental health and community support for Victorian farmers
The statewide ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ program provides grants of up to $5,000 to local organisations to run community events that support mental health and wellbeing.
The Victorian Government has announced additional funding. The program will reopen for applications on Monday 2 February 2026, with community events to be held by 30 June 2026.
The program is managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government. Updated guidelines will be available soon.
In addition, wellbeing counsellors have been funded to work alongside the Rural Financial Counselling Service in each region to support drought-affected farmers and their families.
On-Farm Kangaroo Control Rebate Program
The On-Farm Kangaroo Management Rebate is for farmers with an authority to control wildlife (ATCW) permit to hire accredited professional harvesters, authorised by the Game Management Authority, to help control kangaroos on drought-affected properties.
Farmers whose livestock are competing with kangaroos for fodder can apply for rebates of up to $450 (ex-GST) to engage professional harvesters to manage kangaroos under an ATCW.
More information and how to apply.
Statewide and south-west regional drought coordinators
A Statewide Drought Coordinator is working alongside the South-West Regional Drought Coordinator to foster collaboration among agencies and organisations. This helps deliver support to those in need.
The coordinators partner with:
- local councils
- government departments
- water corporations
- catchment management authorities
- health services
- industry providers
- not-for-profit volunteer organisations.
To contact the South West Regional Drought Coordinator, email drought.coordinatorsw@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Small Business Financial Counsellor – south west
Extra funding is available to support small businesses in south west Victoria also impacted by drought. A Small Business Financial Counsellor (SBFC) is now working with the Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West.
The SBFC can help small business operators:
- understand their financial situation
- explore options
- negotiate with lenders and insurers.
They can also provide guidance in applying for government support and connection with other professionals.
For more information:
- call SBFC on 1300 735 758
- visit the RFCS website.
Water management
Funding is available to support practical measures to provide greater access to water, including extending existing water infrastructure and investigating options to widen access to reliable regional water sources.
Funding will cover:
- $3 million to fund a review of Victoria’s Emergency Supply Point network and undertake priority capital works to construct and refurbish water access points
- a $15 million contribution towards the Mininera Rural Pipeline to complement funding already available for Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water
- $3.5 million towards a renewed Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy
- $2.5 million for a new program to leverage private groundwater bores for additional domestic and stock water access in drought-affected areas.