Drought Support

Primary producers can access state and federal drought support without a drought declaration.  

The Queensland Government’s Drought preparedness program lists available support, including: 

• Sustainability Loans to help you invest in infrastructure to secure the future sustainability of your business. You can use these loans for drought preparedness activities and infrastructure that enhances drought resilience. 
• Drought Preparedness Grants
  • These grants offer discounts of the cost of purchasing new or upgrading permanent capital infrastructure to improve drought resilience. 
  • To apply, you need to have a Farm Business Resilience Plan or an equivalent. 

The Queensland Government’s Small business wellbeing support provides free and confidential wellbeing support to help small business owners experiencing mental health challenges to manage financial pressures and build a stronger future for your business.

The Australian Government provides Drought, disaster and rural support, including: 

• Farm Investment Loan - Support for farmers who have experienced a financial downturn over a consecutive two-year period due to one or more events outside their control, including drought, natural disasters, biosecurity events or market disruption.
• Drought Hardship Loan - This loan, delivered by the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC), provides financial relief for farmers experiencing severe and prolonged drought. 
• Farm Household Allowance - provides assistance to commercial-scale farmers and their partners who are experiencing financial hardship for any reason. To check your eligibility, use the Services Australia Eligibility Checker and begin your claim through Services Australia Farm Household Allowance. 
• Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Southern Queensland - an ongoing Australian Government program that provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers, fishers, foresters and small related businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.  
• ATO support in difficult times and Tax concessions