Drought support package for Victorian farmers
The Victorian Government is providing $144 million in drought supports.
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).
Up to $5,000 (ex-GST) is available to support investment in on-farm drought management activities and be better prepared for future droughts. This includes a $5,000 top-up for farmers who have already taken up the first $5,000 grant in the 11 councils in the south west and parts of West Wimmera, taking the grant on offer up to maximum $10,000.
Updated guidelines for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program are now available.
Farm decision-making help
The one-on-one technical advisory program supports Victorian farmers to access advice from a technical specialist, including agronomists, veterinarians, livestock nutritionists, pasture specialists and farm business advisors.
This service works with farmers to help them find the best strategies for their farm businesses to manage increasingly difficult seasonal conditions right across the state.
Primary Producer Support Payments – south west Victoria
Primary Producer Support Payments will provide cashflow relief to primary producers in 11 south west local government areas and parts of West Wimmera shire that have experienced the effects of drought the longest.
Eligible councils will receive a lump sum payment to support primary producers equivalent to a 40% farm property rate reduction in 2025–26.
Councils are responsible for distributing these payments.
More details will be available soon.
Financial Household Relief Payments – south west Victoria
Up to $1,000 is available for farmers, farm employees and contractors in 11 south west LGAs and parts of West Wimmera, delivered by the Country Women’s Association.
More information to come.
Catchment management authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program
A $1 million Drought Employment Program will provide meaningful off-farm employment opportunities to people facing hardship due to drought conditions.
The program will be led by local CMAs.
More information on how to apply will be available soon.
Fee and duty relief package
This is a fee and duty relief package of up to $6.3 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 to come.
Mental health and wellbeing support
The ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ program is available across the state. It offers grants of up to $5,000 to local organisations to run community events that support mental health and wellbeing.
The program is managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.
On-Farm Kangaroo Management Rebate
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.
South-West Regional Drought Coordinator
The South-West Regional Drought Coordinator fosters collaboration among agencies and organisations. This helps deliver support to those in need.
The coordinator partners with:
- local councils
- government departments
- water corporations
- catchment management authorities
- health services
- industry providers.
Teamwork ensures that aid reaches the right people when it’s needed.
To contact the South West Regional Drought Coordinator, email drought.coordinatorsw@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Small Business Financial Counsellor – south west
Counselling support services are now available for small businesses in south west Victoria. A Small Business Financial Counsellor (SBFC) is now working with the Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West.
The SBFC can help you:
- understand your financial situation
- explore options
- negotiate with lenders and insurers.
They can also guide you in applying for government support and connect you 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.