The Victorian Government is providing $144 million in direct support to help farmers and communities across Victoria impacted by drought.
Find out more drought support and other information to help manage during a drought at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
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Some of the support includes:
Farm Drought Support Grants
The Farm Drought Support Grants (formerly On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants) program is available to assist primary production businesses to implement on-farm infrastructure improvements and undertake essential business activities that improve drought preparedness such as reticulated water systems, irrigation system upgrades and pasture/crop restoration.
Eligible farmers will receive up to $5,000 (ex-GST) as a co-contribution grant that will support activities.
For more information about the grants program visit ruralfinance.com.au or call 1800 260 425 during business hours.
Help with farm management decisions
All farmers, anywhere in Victoria, can register for a free consultation with a farm management specialist.
The advisory service offers a session of up to 3 hours (face-to-face or online) and a follow-up call, to help farmers take stock and develop a plan for managing drought conditions.
The advice is suited to your situation, from a consultant that you nominate from the registered panel.
Agronomists, livestock nutritionists, veterinarians, pasture and grazing specialists and farm business advisors, can support you with:
- feed and water budgeting
- farm safety and workload management
- farm business and financial management
- soil health and pasture re-establishment
- animal health and welfare, and more.
2025 Drought Support: One-on-One Technical Support Expression of Interest (Page 1 of 5)
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.
Find out more about government water programs.
RFCS wellbeing counsellors
The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers free, confidential wellbeing support alongside their usual financial and business counselling support. Wellbeing counsellors can visit at your property or talk over the phone to assist with mental health and wellbeing issues for you or your family.
Funding has been provided to support the appointment of 3 RFCS wellbeing officers to be located in Gippsland, the North East and the North West. These positions are in addition to the position already funded in the South West.
To access the support of a wellbeing counsellor, call the Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1300 771 741.
Commonwealth assistance programs
- Up to 4 years of fortnightly income (every 10 years) from the Farm Household Allowance
- Low interest concessional loans with the Regional Investment Corporationincluding a Drought Loan and an AgBiz Drought Loan
- Tax concessions – find out how the Australian Tax Office (ATO) can help
- Tax time – talk to the ATO about more time to lodge and pay tax
- Free and independent financial counselling at a service near you from the Rural Financial Counselling Service
