Resource directory
Technical information and decision-making support
Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers and industry to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters (including floods and storms) through delivery of technical information and decision-making support services to help farm business recovery including:
- grazing, cropping and pasture management
- irrigation and horticulture system rehabilitation
- soil erosion management
- Land management
- animal health and nutrition
- whole farm planning
- water quality
- weed management
Farmers are encouraged to contact the Agriculture Recovery team on 0427 694 185 (Mon-Fri between 8.30 am and 5 pm) or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Flood Recovery Hotline
Victorians affected by the floods and storms can call 1800 560 760 for help with navigating support and mental health and wellbeing. Press 9 for an interpreter. The recovery hotline is open from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 6 pm on weekends.
Financial assistance and support
For the latest information visit
- Relief and recovery on the VicEmergency website
- Natural disaster events on the Services Australia website
Primary producer flood recovery grants closed on 13 July
Applications for Victorian Government Primary Producer Flood Recovery financial support for the 6 October 2022 to 13 January 2023 floods are now closed.
Applicants who successfully applied for a Primary Producer Flood Recovery grant have up to 13 January 2024 to finalise their claims for Tier 2 payments.
Rural Finance administer these programs on behalf of the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
More information is available at Rural Finance by calling 1800 260 425 or by checking the Rural Finance website.
If you applied to Rural Finance for financial support for the October to January floods and storms and are awaiting the outcome of your application, contact Rural Finance at:
- Phone: 1800 260 425
- Email: admin@ruralfinance.com.au
23 March 2023 Hailstorm Support
The Victorian Government is supporting growers and farmers in the City of Greater Shepparton and Yarra Ranges Council local government areas affected by the 23 March 2023 hailstorm event to get back in business, with concessional loans to support their relief and recovery efforts.
A Hailstorm Primary Producer Concessional Loan of up to $250,000 to restore and replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway is available, with applications closing at 4pm on 14 November 2023.
Growers and farmers whose properties were impacted or suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the March 2023 hailstorm event can apply.
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.
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 who 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.
To connect with your local service call 1300 771 741 or visit the National Emergency Management Agency.
Personal and family support
| Service | Description | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| National Centre for Farmer Health | Support resources for emergencies, emotional and social wellbeing, farm business support services, information for rural and health professionals, rural support organisations, Victorian Emergency Water Supply Points Map. | Call (03) 5551 8533 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 Website: kidshelpline.com.au |
Parentline | Counselling and information for families with children up to 18 years. Open 8am to midnight, seven days. | Phone: 132 289 Website: 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: acute hospital care, medical centre, home and community care, district nursing, women’s health, allied health services (podiatry, occupational therapy etc.), counselling, pharmacy, referrals. | 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 |
Australian Red Cross | For people affected by Victorian Severe Weather and Flood. | Phone: 1800 733 276 Website: redcross.org.au |
Rural Aid | Rural Aid offers free, confidential counselling to Rural Aid registered farmers and their family. | Phone: 1300 327 624 Email: contact@ruralaid.org.au Website: ruralaid.org.au |
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 For flood adviceLocal guides: Your local flood information Information Hotline: 1800 226 226 Social MediaFacebook: facebook.com/vicses Twitter: twitter.com/vicsesnews |
VicEmergency | Monitor the VicEmergency app, website and hotline for flood warnings and emergency information in Victoria. Website: emergency.vic.gov.au |
Emergency Broadcasters |
Technical support
Agriculture Victoria staff can assist farmers with technical support and advice in the following areas:
- 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.
For more information email: recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au or call 0427 694 185.
For information on workshops and events, visit the Agriculture Victoria events listing,
For advice on how to prepare for a flood, and what to do before and after a flood event visit the Floods page on the Agriculture Victoria website.
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
Business support
| Support provider | Description | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
Agriculture Victoria Farm Business Management and Planning Support | Agriculture Victoria delivers technical and decision-making support services to assist farm businesses recovering from events such as flood. Working with our industry partners, the department provides services across industries including beef, sheep, dairy, grains, horticulture and irrigation. | Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/floods or call 1800 226 226 |
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) | The RFCS provides free financial counselling to farmers and small businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship. | National Information Line 1300 771 741 Find a Rural Financial Counselling Service at Rural Financial Counselling Service locations |
Farmer Assistance Hotline | Information on the Australian Government's support services available to farmers and rural communities. | Call 132 316 |
Flood warnings and rainfall information
| Information type | Resource |
|---|---|
VicRoads – road closures | For latest road closures and traffic hazards visit VicRoads – VicTraffic. |
Flood Warnings | For information about flood warnings see the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and the VicEmergency App |
Victorian weather and warnings | You can view weather forecasts and rainfall information on the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) website |
River Height Levels | View river height levels for all Victorian regions at Victoria Rainfall and River Conditions on the BoM website. |
Local government contact information
Visit Local Government Victoria to locate contact details for your local council.
Translated flood safety factsheets
The Victorian Department of Health has a number of translated resources available to help families prepare for and recover from floods.
Agriculture Victoria recovery support services
Technical support and advice is available in the following areas:
Cropping, grazing and pasture recovery
- species options for resowing
- soil requirements for sowing new pastures
- assessing soil characteristics
- interpreting soil test results
- predicting pasture recovery over the next year
Water quality
- assess on-farm storage capacity in dams and tanks, look for holes and leaks
- contaminates may have entered water sources
- if in doubt, consider alternative water source for stock
- develop strategies to protect water supplies from contamination
- identify stock water requirements
Soil erosion management
Loss of ground cover can lead to significant soil erosion. Technical advice is available for the following:
- mitigating soil erosion
- gully, tunnel and sheet erosion
- impacts on water quality following a flood
Animal health and nutrition
- move stock to high ground for feeding
- feed budgeting, including understanding feed quality and livestock requirements
- long-term farm decisions and managing through varying climatic conditions
- costs, cashflow to aid short and long-term decisions
- stock condition scores and targets
- containment areas and restocking
- using own land for agistment
- using land for hay and silage production or cropping
- design and management of shade and shelter for livestock
- advice on animal health
Farm mapping and planning
Farm mapping and planning can help improve farm productivity and sustainability through the following:
- matching land use and capability
- understand of soils and their management
- assessing water needs
- management of land degradation
- pastures and grazing management
- native vegetation in a farming system
- risk management
- farm design (paddock size, laneways etc).