Backing Victorian farmers

Lambs in fog, July 2025

See water-specific details in this article: More support for drought-affected farmers – water

On 4 July, the Victorian Premier recently announced another $75 million to support farmers across Victoria impacted by drought. This additional support package has been developed in response to extensive consultation with the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce, senior industry leaders and Victorian farmers. The announcement builds on the $69 million previously announced since September 2024 to support farmers managing drought conditions, bringing the total support package from the Victorian Government to $144 million.  

For primary producers located in the south west Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the lower half of West Wimmera LGA, the following additional supports will be available: 

• $35.8 million to support farming households through Primary Producer Support Payments, equivalent of a 40% rate reduction for farm and rural land to provide cash flow relief to primary producers, which will be administered through eligible councils 
• A $2 million Country Women’s Association-led program will provide targeted household payments of up to $1,000 to eligible families, farm employees and contractors. 

The Victorian Government is also investing in water infrastructure projects, including $15 million for the Mininera Rural Pipeline project to extend the East Grampians Rural Pipeline to landholders in the Ararat Rural City, Northern Grampians and Pyrenees Shire. Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water will also invest $15.6 million towards the project. 

An investment of $3 million will enable works to be undertaken on Victoria’s Emergency Supply Point Network to install new access points or upgrade existing ones, plus additional funding will leverage existing groundwater bores for domestic and stock access in drought affected areas.  

A further $3.5 million will support a new Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy to investigate alternative water supplies, such as recycled and storm water, to boost waterway health and improve flow during dry conditions.   

A $1 million Drought Employment Program, led by Catchment Management Authorities, will assist people facing hardship due to the drought to access off-farm employment opportunities to provide additional income in times of need.   

Funding has been provided to extend additional Victorian Government services, including timely farm debt mediation, engagement activities and technical decision-making support until June 2026.   

Agriculture Victoria will also work with the livestock biosecurity compensation fund advisory committees, Dairy Food Safety Victoria and PrimeSafe to explore opportunities to waive biosecurity duties and regulatory fees and charges. 

The supports announced today extends the statewide support already available including: 

• Farm Drought Support Grants (formerly called the On-farm Drought Infrastructure Grants) of up to $5,000 to support investment in on-farm drought management activities and be better prepared for future droughts, with a wider suite of eligible activities in recognition of the broad pressures farmers are managing.  
• Technical decision-making program providing tailored advice through one-on-one consultations and group-based workshops and events to support farm businesses with technical information and advice to help manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions. 
• The ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ program supports drought-affected communities across Victoria by providing grants of up to $5,000 for community-led events that promote social connection and mental health awareness. 
• A two-day turn around on biosecurity permits for interstate fodder movements into Victoria, with inspection fees waived (where required upon arrival). 
• The Victorian Drought Freight Network, to support fodder and grain movements on key freight routes in south west Victoria. 

In addition, the On-Farm Kangaroo Management Rebate is now open, allowing farmers to hire accredited professional harvesters, authorised by the Game Management Authority, to help control kangaroos on drought-affected properties.   

Additional ongoing support programs that are always available to Victorian farm businesses across the state, year-round include: 

• The Rural Financial Counselling Service offers free and independent financial information, decision-making support and referral services to primary producers and small, related rural businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship. Visit: Rural Financial Counselling Service. 
• Farm Household Allowance – a fortnightly Commonwealth Government payment. Visit: Services Australia.  
• Regional Investment Corporation low-interest drought loans of up to $2 million to assist farmers to prepare for, manage and recover from drought. Visit: Regional Investment Corporation.  
• Local governments also offer rate hardship policies 
• Agriculture Victoria’s Farm Business Resilience Program 
•  The National Centre for Farmer Health has a range of resources and services for emotional and social wellbeing and farm business support. Visit: National Centre for Farmer Health. 
• Livestock feed budgeting resources to support decision making. Visit: Feeding livestock. 

 
For further information on the Victorian Governments Drought Support Package, please visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186