Recovery support for farmers
2023 October - December floods and November hail
Agriculture Victoria is available to help farmers in flood-affected areas to address urgent animal welfare concerns.
Farmers who have been impacted by floods and have urgent animal welfare needs, please contact the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
Please report any agricultural losses via our online form or contact the Agriculture Recovery team on 0427 694 185 (Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 5pm) or at recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Impact assessment form23 March 2023 Hailstorm Support – applications are now closed
Applications closed at 4 pm on 14 November for Concessional Loans to support eligible primary producers in the City of Greater Shepparton and Yarra Ranges Council local government areas impacted by the 23 March hailstorm event.
A Hailstorm Concessional Loan up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged assets and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway was available.
If you applied to Rural Finance for financial support for a Hailstorm Concessional Loan and have a question about your application, contact Rural Finance at:
- Phone: 1800 260 425
- Email: admin@ruralfinance.com.au
October 2022 floods and storms
Background
- In response to the 6 October 2022 to 13 January 2023 floods and storms a range of support measures were put in place for farmers, including financial support through the Primary Producer Flood Recovery Support package.
- The financial support made available has been an important first step for farmers to deal with immediate clean up and early recovery issues.
- Applications for financial support closed on 13 July 2023.
- The more complex and longer-term recovery issues and decisions that farmers are facing is being supported through on-farm technical decision-making advice, financial support services and mental health programs that are still available.
- These programs are being delivered by Agriculture Victoria, the Rural Financial Counselling Service and the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) respectively. These important services provide tangible support to the farming community.
Primary producer flood recovery grants final claim date extended
This date extension applies to successful applicants of the:
- Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant
- Rural Landholder Grant
- Transport Support Program.
This extension provides primary producers and rural landholders additional time to undertake their recovery activities and finalise their claims for Tier 2 payments.
While an extension has been provided, grant recipients are encouraged to make their re-imbursement claims as soon as possible.
Rural Finance administer these programs on behalf of the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
For more information visit the Rural Finance website or call 1800 260 425.
If you applied to Rural Finance for financial support for the October 2022 to January 2023 floods and storms and have a question about your application, contact Rural Finance at:
- Phone: 1800 260 425
- Email: admin@ruralfinance.com.au
National Centre for Farmer Health: flood response support
The National Centre for Farmer Health is committed to supporting primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were damaged or lost in the floods and storms through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing, including:
- free access to online psychology support delivered by farmer health trained psychologists
- distribution of mental health resource and support information.
More information is available on the National Centre for Farmer Health website.
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.
To find your closest service call 1300 771 741 or visit the Rural Financial Counselling Network website.
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 2 November, Agriculture Victoria has been involved in and supported the delivery of 351 recovery activities engaging 3,301 farmers across flood and storm impacted regions.
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.