Drought, disaster and rural support

Farmers and rural communities face many risks to their business. These include droughts, natural disasters, pests and diseases, and other market disruptions.

There are programs and services to help you prepare for, manage and recover from these events.

Rural support

Help in hard times, including drought

• Farm Household Allowance

  Check if you’re eligible for up to 4 years of support. For farming families experiencing financial hardship.

• Rural Financial Counsellors

  Get free, independent financial counselling. For eligible primary producers and small businesses experiencing or at risk of hardship. Call 1300 771 741.

• Concessional loans

  Eligible farmers or farm-related small businesses can apply for a low-cost RIC (Regional Investment Corporation) loan.

• Social support and wellbeing

  Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or find other social support.

• ATO support in difficult times

  Check if you can get more time to lodge and pay tax.

• Tax concessions

  Find out about tax concessions. You may be able to spread or defer profits from the forced disposal or death of livestock.

Help to prepare and grow

Whether you’re preparing for drought or growing your business, there’s help available. You don’t need to be in hardship to be eligible.

• Farm Business Resilience Program 

  Explore subsidised learning and development opportunities in strategic business management, farm risk management and decision-making, natural resource management, and personal and social resilience.

• Farm Management Deposit Scheme

  Set aside pre-tax income in good years that you can draw on in future years when you need it.

• Concessional loans

  Apply for a low-cost loan from the RIC (Regional Investment Corporation). For an eligible farm business.

• My Climate View

  Explore climate information for your location and commodity, wherever you are across Australia. Supported by the Future Drought Fund.

• Tax deductions

  For infrastructure such as fencing, dams, pumps, silos, bins, landcare operations and carbon sink forests.

• Income tax averaging

  Even out your income and tax payable to allow for fluctuations.

Fact sheets

Drought resources

Find out what support is available through your state or territory government.

Drought support in your state or territory

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Tasmania
• Northern Territory
• Australian Capital Territory

If you have farming clients or members explore our resources on drought and rural support.

Everyone has a role to play in drought

The sooner you seek support, the easier it will be to stay or get back on track.

See our videos on preparing and living with drought.

Preparing for drought

Drought support – what’s available

Living with drought – who can help and how

Living with drought – how your accountant can help

Other resources

Learn more about Australian Government resources available to assist with drought.

• Support in drought for primary producers – Australian Taxation Office
• Primary producers – support in drought – Australian Taxation Office
• RIC Drought Loan boosts net production – Regional Investment Corporation

Current disasters

Help is available for people affected by current natural disasters in Australia.

You may be able to access support from your Australian, state or territory government. Visit Disaster Assist for more information. Services Australia can provide lump sum payments and ongoing, short-term allowances. You can access these if you're directly affected by a declared disaster.

Find out if you’re eligible for Australian Government rural support programs. 

For our customers

If you’re in an affected area and are having trouble paying debts or levy amounts please call 1800 647 531 to discuss your situation with us or email ARhelpdesk@aff.gov.au

We suspend levy compliance activities in affected areas. This includes any automated correspondence to levy agents.

See more on support for payment of debt during a natural disaster and notice for levy payers affected by natural disasters or COVID-19.

Learn more about the Australian Government’s response. Visit the National Emergency Management Agency.

Market disruptions

Find up-to-date advice on other risks or disruptions at outbreak.gov.au.

You don’t have to go it alone

While you decide what is best for your business, there are people you can talk to about your options. They include:

• farm industry groups
• banks, accountants and agronomists
• federal, state and local governments
• charities and other non-government organisations.

Talk to them about how you can:

• diversify your production
• manage price and input risks
• draft farm exit and succession plans
• structure your business in a tax effective way
• access rebates and concessions
• expand your off-farm income
• maintain soil moisture and ground cover
• implement new farm practices and technologies
• access financial, social and personal support.