Recovery support for farmers

23 March 2023 Hailstorm Support

Growers and farmers in the City of Greater Shepparton and Yarra Ranges Council local government areas, whose properties who were impacted or suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the March 2023 hailstorm event, can apply for a Hailstorm Primary Producer Concessional Loan.

Loans of up to $250,000 are available to eligible growers and farmers, to restore or replace damaged assets and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway.

Applications close at 4 pm on the 14 November 2023.

Rural Finance administers this program which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Visit the Rural Finance website for application forms and program guidelines or call Rural Finance on 1800 260 25 if you have any questions.

Financial support for flood and storm-affected farmers – application time extended

Flood and storm-affected farmers impacted by floods and storms between 6 October 2022 and 13 January 2023 may be eligible to apply for financial support via the current flood recovery grants and concessional loan.

The closing date for applications has been extended to 13 July 2023.

Available grants include:

  • Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants to support the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again.
    Note: This replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up, Relief Grants announced on 19 October. Producers that have received a Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grant of $10,000 can now apply for up to a further $65,000 under the Primary Producer Recovery Grant, bringing the total to $75,000.
  • Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to support the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers.
  • Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover the short-term business expenses.
  • Primary producers who suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the 2022 Victorian floods and storms, but did not suffer direct damage to assets can apply for a concessional loan of up to $100,000.
  • Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.
Read more and apply

Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Service offers free and independent financial information, options, decision making support and referral services to farmers and small, related rural businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship. A rural financial counsellor can assist farmers to understand, and apply for government support. Call 1300 771 741.

What recovery services is Agriculture Victoria providing?

Agriculture Victoria can offer technical advice on:

  • grazing, cropping and pasture management
  • irrigation and horticulture system rehabilitation
  • soil erosion management
  • land management
  • animal health and nutrition
  • farm mapping and planning
  • water quality
  • weed management

As of 31 May, Agriculture Victoria has delivered 239 recovery activities engaging more than 2,319 farmers across flood and storm impacted regions.

This includes:

  • delivery of 89 technical activities and events
  • engagement and attendance at 107 community recovery meetings and committees.

Farmers seeking recovery assistance or advice are encouraged to phone the Agriculture Victoria Ag Recovery Team on 0427 694 185 or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Page last updated: 02 Jun 2023