Managing Farm Risk Program

The Managing Farm Risk Program provides rebates for advice and assessments to help farmers prepare and apply for a new insurance policy that assists with the management of drought and other production and market risks.

These one-off rebates will be for half of the costs incurred by eligible farm businesses, up to a maximum of $2500 (GST exclusive). The rebates are not for insurance policy premiums.

Insurance can significantly reduce the financial risks farmers face from production loss caused by factors beyond their control. The Australian Government understands that insurance for risks—like adverse weather, drought and fluctuating markets—can protect profits and give farmers peace of mind. But identifying and choosing suitable insurance can be challenging.

That’s why the Australian Government is providing funding over four years to help farmers with their decision making.

The Managing Farm Risk Program is part of the Australian Government's Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the government’s plan to grow our agriculture sector for stronger farmers and a stronger economy.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, farm businesses must meet the requirements of the program guidelines. You should consider whether you meet the eligibility criteria before you incur costs.

• Managing Farm Risk Program guidelines are available on GrantConnect Applicants should seek advice before deciding on any financial product, including insurance.

Eligible activities

Eligible farm businesses can apply for a rebate of the costs of engaging suitably qualified service providers to carry out one or more of these activities:

• undertaking an assessment required by an insurance provider 
• compiling historical farm financial performance and production data
• analysing insurance options based on a long-term, whole-of-farm risk assessment.

Before applying for a rebate, you must have a written offer or refusal from an insurance provider for a new or additional policy covering a peril or climatic event that the farm business has not insured against within the last five years. This is limited to:

• multi-peril insurance products
• parametric products, such as those based on rainfall or other climate factors
• other single-peril products, such as fire, hail and frost insurance.

One rebate application per eligible farm business can be made for costs incurred from 1 July 2015. Applications must be submitted within 12 months of the first claimed costs being incurred.

The Managing Farm Risk Program guidelines on GrantConnect set out the full eligibility criteria.

Service providers

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they select suitably qualified service providers to undertake eligible activities. The types of service providers who could assist with insurance advice and assessments include, but are not limited to, insurance brokers, farm advisors and accountants. Suitably qualified service providers are those that:

• are independent from the farm business applicant
• hold a relevant licence or qualification and sufficient industry experience relating to the type of advice or service they are providing
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• hold current professional indemnity insurance.

For audit, compliance, monitoring and evaluation purposes, the department may request additional evidence from applicants to substantiate their eligibility. This may include a copy of the final written advice obtained from service providers for which the rebate was made.

How to apply

Go to GrantConnect, search for GO625 – Managing Farm Risk Program. You may need to register for GrantConnect if you have not accessed the website previously. This requires minimal information to register. 

Submit your completed application form following the instructions in GrantConnect.

More information

• Factsheet: Information for farm businesses considering agricultural insurances  PDF [360 KB, 2 pages]
• Factsheet: Information for providers of insurance advice and services to farmers​

Grants administration and application enquiries
Community Grants Hub
Telephone 1800 020 283
Email: Support

Program Policy enquiries
Email: Managing Farm Risk Program team.
Telephone: 1800 837 857