Resource directory
Emergency contacts and information
| Emergency contact | Contact details and information |
|---|---|
Life-threatening emergencies | Phone: 000 Always call triple zero if there is a threat to life |
Vic State Emergency Service (VICSES) | For VICSES flood emergency assistance and to locate your local unit call 132 500 Information Hotline: 1800 226 226 Social media Facebook: facebook.com/vicses Twitter: twitter.com/vicsesnews |
VicEmergency | Monitor the VicEmergency app, website and hotline for warnings and emergency information in Victoria. Web: emergency.vic.gov.au |
| VicRoads – road closures | For latest road closures and traffic hazard, visit VicRoads – VicTraffic |
Emergency broadcasters |
Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline
If you suspect a pest or disease outbreak or have seen something unusual contact the EAD hotline 1800 675 888
Exotic Plant Pest (EPP) Hotline
Any unusual plant pest or disease should be reported immediately to the relevant state or territory agriculture agency through the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.
Personal wellbeing and family support services
| Service | Description | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| National Centre for Farmer Health | Supports primary producers through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing, including:
| Phone : (03) 5551 8533 Web farmerhealth.org.au |
Lifeline | 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. | Call 131 114 or visit lifeline.org.au |
Beyondblue | 24/7 telephone information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health. | Call 1300 224 636 or visit beyondblue.org.au |
MensLine Australia | 24/7 service for men with relationship and family concerns. | Call 1300 78 99 78 or visit mensline.org.au |
Family Relationship Service | Providing families with access to information about family relationship issues. | Call 1800 050 321 or visit familyrelationships.gov.au |
Mental Health Care Plan | A mental health care plan provides Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual or 10 group appointments per year with a psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker. | Contact your local GP for a referral Health care plan website: |
Kids Helpline | Confidential telephone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. | Phone: 1800 551 800 Web: kidshelpline.com.au |
Parentline | Counselling and information for families with children up to 18 years. Open 8am to midnight, seven days. | Phone: 132 289 Web: parentline.com.au |
GPs and Community Health Care providers | If you or a loved one need support during difficult times, visit your local Doctor (GP). Community health services also provide a range of primary health care services that could include:
| Contact your local GP Contact your local Community Health service to confirm their services. |
NURSE-ON-CALL | Expert health information and advice (14 hours, 7 days) | Phone: 1300 60 60 24 |
| Better Health Channel | Health and medical information that is quality assured, reliable, up to date, easy to understand, regularly reviewed and locally relevant. | Web: betterhealth.vic.gov.au |
Australian Red Cross | For people affected by disasters and other emergencies. | Phone: 1800 733 276 Web: redcross.org.au |
Rural Aid | Free, confidential counselling for Rural Aid-registered farmers and their families. Rural Aid also provides critical support to farmers affected by natural disaster through financial, water, fodder and volunteer assistance. | Phone: 1300 327 624 Email: contact@ruralaid.org.au Web: ruralaid.org.au |
| Rural Flying Doctor Service – Flying Doctor Wellbeing | Flying Doctor Wellbeing is a free mental health and wellbeing service for people in rural and remote Victorian communities. | Phone: 03 8412 0480 Email: wellbeing@rfds.vic.gov.au |
Western Victoria Primary Health Network | Western Victoria PHN works with the primary care sector to improve health outcomes for local communities. | Phone: 03 5222 0800 Web: westvicphn.com.au/ |
Farm business support
| Support provider | Description | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Victoria | Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers and industry to prepare for and respond to natural disasters and dry seasonal conditions. This includes delivering technical information and supporting events. | Phone: 136 186 |
| Business VIctoria |
Information and resources to support businesses including currently available grants and programs. | Web: https:/business.vic.gov.au |
| Farm Business Resilience Program | The Farm Business Resilience Program is supporting farmers to develop knowledge and skills to improve their farm business and manage the impacts of drought and a changing climate. The program supports farmers to improve skills and management practices around 4 key areas:
| Web: agriculture.vic.gov.au/FBRP |
| Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) | The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free and independent financial information, options, decision-making support and referral services to farmers and small related rural businesses that are in, or at risk of experiencing, financial hardship. A rural financial counsellor can help farmers prepare for discussions with their banks to make informed decisions for the future benefit of their business. They can also assist farmers to apply for financial assistance. |
Phone: 1300 771 741 Web: rfcsnetwork.com.au |
| Farm Household Allowance | Farmers in financial hardship may be eligible for the Australian Government’s Farm Household Allowance (FHA), a fortnightly payment available for up to 4 years in a specific 10-year period. More information on the Farm Household Allowance is available on the Services Australia website, by searching ‘Farm Household Assistance’. A rural financial counsellor can help farmers understand their eligibility and apply for the FHA. | Web: servicesaustralia.gov.au |
| Regional Investment Corporation | Farmers may be able to access low-interest loans through the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Corporation (RIC). A RIC loan is a partnership between the farm business, a commercial lender and the Regional Investment Corporation. Available loans include:
Loan terms Loan terms for both the Farm Investment Loan and the Drought Loan cover a maximum amount of $2 million at a variable rate of 5.18% (effective from August 2024 to January 2025). Loans are available for a 10-year term with interest-only repayments in the first 5 years. Full information about low-interest RIC loans, the application process, eligibility, and terms and conditions are available from the Regional Investment Corporation. | Phone: 1800 875 675 Email: info@ric.gov.au Web: www.ric.gov.au |
| Farmer Assistance Hotline | Contact the Farmer Assistance Hotline to find out about Australian Government support services available to farmers and rural communities. | Phone: 132 316 |
| Farm Debt Mediation | In Victoria it is compulsory for banks and other creditors to offer mediation to farmers before commencing debt recovery proceedings on farm mortgages. Under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2011, farmers and creditors can access mediation for efficient and fair resolution of farm debt disputes. At mediation, a neutral and independent mediator helps the farmer and creditor to confidentially reach an agreement about current and future farm debt arrangements. Farm debt mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that is accessible and low-cost. Farmers who are going to take part in farm debt mediation are encouraged to contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service, or their solicitor, accountant, or another suitably qualified professional. |
Phone: 1800 878 964 Email: enquiries@vsbc.vic.gov.au |
Water corporations and services
15 water corporations provide water supply (including recycled water) and sewerage and trade waste disposal services to customers throughout Victoria. Four of the water corporations provide rural water services that comprise water supply, drainage and salinity mitigation services for irrigation, domestic and stock purposes.
Local government contact information
Visit Local Government Victoria to locate contact details for your local council.