Drought and rural support

We know that farmers and rural communities often deal with drought and other hardships.

We are here to help.

Support for farmers

Outreach in NSW

We are visiting communities affected by drought across NSW.

Learn more about drought support services you can access. Get help to access support.

Find an outreach event near you.

Rural Financial Counsellors

Helping you find and apply for funds. With an extra $5 million to support increased demand for our free services.

Contact the RFCS

Farm Household Allowance

For farm households experiencing hardship. New assets threshold and lump sum payments up to $12,000.

Check if you are eligible

Wellbeing

Services to give you mental and emotional support. Connecting you to the right people to help you.

Find a service

Pest and weed management

Funding measures to manage pest animals and weeds in farm communities.

Current funding priorities

Water

Rebates for on-farm water infrastructure. $50 million in funding over 3 years.

How to access rebates

Regional Investment Corporation

Loans for farmers and farm business owners in financial need. Limit increased to $2 million.

Find loan options

How we can help

Are you still looking for help? We administer a range of drought and rural support measures.

See all drought and rural support we provide.

Access more services

Drought Communities Program

Funding local council projects. Helping rural communities manage through drought.

Climate and weather

Giving farmers the data they need to assist on-farm decision making.

Check the Bureau of Meteorology

Tax deductions

Special deductions and other tax support for primary producers. Managed by the Australian Taxation Office.

Check for updates

Find a service

Do you need help to find the right support?

Seek advice. You can contact a rural financial counsellor on 1800 686 175.

Check the FarmHub. This new service helps connect Australian farmers with support during tough times, such as drought.

Read the drought assistance information pack. It lists support that you can access from government and national services.

Download:

Drought assistance information pack PDF [854 KB, 22 pages]
Drought assistance information pack DOCX [5.3 MB, 22 pages]

States and territories

Your local government plays an important role in drought relief. We share responsibilities and work together to help you.

Find more support in your state or territory:

Coordinating our efforts

We are working to get the right help to the right people.

To support this goal, we collaborate with:

Coordinator-General for Drought, Major General Stephen Day
Special envoy for drought assistance and recovery

Media releases

Farm production remains above average 11 December 2018
Impact of drought clear in latest crop report 4 December 2018
$5 billion Future Drought Fund 3 December 2018
Better weather information, better agricultural results 22 November 2018
Importing grain for stockfeed 12 November 2018
Helping farmers access the farm household allowance 16 October 2018
Put your views forward for FHA review 5 October 2018
Review of Farm Household Allowance begins 19 September 2018
Low-interest loans for farmers in drought doubled 18 September 2018
Drought coordinator ready to roll sleeves up 21 August 2018
Additional drought assistance for communities in need 19 August 2018
More help for drought-affected farmers 19 August 2018
Immediate Relief for Farming Families takes Drought Relief to $576 million 5 August 2018
Review of Farm Household Allowance; summary of drought measures 29 July 2018
More support for farmers in drought 11 July 2018
Funding to fight weeds and wild dogs in drought-affected areas of QLD 11 July 2018
Constructive discussions at drought round table 9 July 2018