Dry Season Support for Farmers

This information is prepared by Agriculture Victoria July 2024 – To access a full listing of supports available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Agriculture Victoria continues to monitor seasonal conditions across the state.

Below average rainfall has occurred across most of the state during autumn and winter. Autumn and winter are critical time for adequate rainfall for cropping, livestock and dairy production. Agriculture Victoria is continuing to monitor and assess seasonal conditions with a focus on south-west Victoria and is delivering tailored services to support farmers. The Bureau of Meteorology and other global climate models currently forecast likely warmer minimum and maximum temperatures over the coming months. The Victorian Government supports farmers to prepare for and respond to dry seasonal conditions and drought. The following ongoing services are available to support farmers.

To view and print as a pdf :

Part A – Dry Season Support for Farmers

Part B – Dry Season Support For Farmers

Farm Business Support

Technical support, resources and events

Agriculture Victoria is working with Victorian farmers to deliver technical information and decision-making support to plan ahead and make informed decisions for managing dry seasonal conditions.

Topics include:

drought planning
assessing pasture resources
measuring feed on offer
stock containment areas
tools for making rations.

For more information visit:

For information on technical support, contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
For information about upcoming technical events visit the Agriculture Victoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au/events

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 is delivered through short courses, workshops, webinars, field days or farms walks, tailored to suit the needs of farmers and community groups.The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.
For more information about the Farm Business Resilience Program visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/FBRP
Farmers and service providers are encouraged to subscribe to the Resilience and Recovery digital newsletter to access latest events and information.

Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers free, confidential 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, financial hardship.

A Rural Financial Counsellor can visit farmers at their place of business and can assist with business planning, creditor negotiation, cash flow management, accessing government and industry support programs and referrals to other professional services.

To connect with your closest service call 1300 771 741 or visit rfcsnetwork.com.au.

Farm Household Allowance

Farmers in financial hardship may be eligible for the Commonwealth Government’s Farm Household Allowance (FHA), a fortnightly payment available for up to four years in a specific 10-year period. More information on the Farm Household Allowance is available at servicesaustralia.gov.au and search for ‘Farm Household Assistance’. A rural financial counsellor can help farmers to understand eligibility and apply for the FHA.

Regional Investment Corporation

Farmers may be able to access low-interest loans through the Commonwealth 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:

the Farm Investment Loan is used to ‘recover from severe business impact and prepare for future financial disruptions’; it can be used to refinance your debt, pay your operating expenses and enhance your productivity.
the Drought Loan is used to ‘help prepare for, manage through, and recover from drought’; it can be used to refinance certain debt, pay outstanding bills, pay for fodder or carting water, and contribute to the cost of drought recovery.

Loan terms
Maximum amount: $2 million, Variable rate:5.18% (effective from August 2024 to January 2025), 10-year term, First 5 years interest only
$0 extra repayments, $0 application fee, $0 early payout fee, No redraw

Farm Investment Loan

Drought Loan

Full information about low interest RIC loans, the application process, eligibility, and terms and conditions are available from the Regional Investment Corporation. Call 1800 875 675, email info@ric.gov.au or visit ric.gov.au.

Farmer Assistance Hotline

Contact the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316 to find out about Australian Government support services available to farmers and rural communities.

Business Victoria

The Business Victoria website has information and resources to support businesses including currently available grants and programs. Visit business.vic.gov.au.

Personal Wellbeing Support

To access a full listing of supports available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

National Centre for Farmer Health

The National Centre for Farmer Health is supporting primary producers through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing, including:

Distribution of mental health resources and support information
‘Managing Stress on the Farm’ book explores the common causes of stressors on farms and offers practical ways to deal with them. It also includes the Steering Straight plan, to help individuals manage their mental health with practical, useful steps.

More information is available on the National Centre for Farmer Health website.

GPs and community health care providers

If in need of 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 GP or local Community Health service.

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.
More information is available at Flying Doctor Wellbeing
Contacts: email wellbeing@rfds.vic.gov.au or 03 8412 0480