Drought Support

Published on 07 July 2025

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For the full details on available support, please visit: Agriculture Victoria | Farm Management | Drought Support or call #136 186.

The Victorian Government is providing direct drought support of $144 million for farmers across Victoria impacted by drought conditions.

Farm Drought Support Grants Program

The Farm Drought Support Grants Program, (previously called the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Program), offers eligible farmers from across the state access to grants of up to $5,000 (ex-GST) to support on-farm drought management and be better prepared for future droughts.

For eligible farmers in south west Victoria, an additional $5,000 (ex-GST) top-up is available, taking the total grant on offer up to $10,000 (ex-GST).

Eligible activities under the grant program have been expanded to cover activities including infrastructure improvements, water carting and pasture re-establishment in recognition of the broad pressures farmers are managing.

Also, for testing (such as soil, water or feed) to support drought management decisions.

Additional supports:

$35.8 million in Primary Producer Support Payments to help farming households in the south west manage the pressures they are facing due to prolonged drought.  The Primary Producer Support Payments will provide eligible farmers with the equivalent of a 40% reduction on their property rates.

Providing much needed cash flow relief for farmers in 11 Local Government Areas (LGA) in south-west Victoria, including Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong and southern parts of West Wimmera.

To reduce the impact on household budgets the Country Women's Association will receive $2 million in support to deliver household payments of up to $1,000 to struggling families in eligible south west LGAs.

$5.0 million to extend important statewide technical decision-making support, mental health services, community events, and timely farm debt mediation, supporting farmers now, but also in the recovery when conditions eventually improve.

A fee and duty relief package of up to $6.3 million to reduce costs linked to biosecurity and food safety regulations.  Additionally, Agriculture Victoria will waive indexation on its 2025-26 biosecurity fees and charges and provide targeted fee relief to assist farmers experiencing cashflow challenges.

Funding for $24 million includes programs to extend existing infrastructure and secure long term water reliability:

  • $15 million towards the East Grampians Rural Pipieline, also known as the Mininera Rural Pipeline.
  • $3 million to expand Victoria's Emergency Supply Point network and install new access points or upgrade existing ones across the state.
  • $2.5 millions will leverage existing groundwater bores for additional domestic and stock access.
  • $3.5 million to develop a new Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy.

An additional $1 million will support catchment management authorities to deliver a Drought Employment Program.

Kangaroo management

The On-Farm Kangaroo Management Rebate is for farmers with an authority to control wildlife (ATCW) permit to hire accredited professional harvesters, authorised by the Game Management Authority, to control kangaroos on drought-affected properties.

Farmers whose livestock are competing with kangaroos for fodder can apply for rebates of up to $450 (ex-GST), up to 3 times, to engage professional harvesters to manage kangaroos under an ATCW.

More information here:  Kangaroo management | Drought support | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria

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