Future Drought Fund

Drought is an enduring feature of the Australian landscape. Managing drought will become more challenging as our climate continue to change.

The Future Drought Fund (FDF) aims to boost drought and climate resilience.

The FDF helps:

• farmers and producers to plan, access climate tools, and share resilient farming practices
• communities to plan, and fosters rural and regional leaders and networks.

How the Fund works

The FDF was set up in 2019. The Australian Government invested an initial $3.9 billion into the Fund. The earnings from this are reinvested. The Fund is expected to grow to $5 billion by 2028-2029.

Each year, $100 million is made available for FDF grants and programs.

Learn more about Australian Government Future Funds and how they work.

Watch

See how the FDF is helping farmers and regional communities prepare for drought and other climate impacts.

Fund objectives

Programs delivered from 2024-25 will focus on:

Partnering for local solutions

We work with regions and communities to help them manage their own drought and climate risks.

Building knowledge, skills and capability

To support farmers and communities to make informed decisions about drought.

Innovating for transformation

To trial innovative solutions and drive transformational change. This will build on the sector’s long-term drought resilience.

First Nations initiatives

We recognise First Nations people’s connection to Country. We will partner with First Nations communities to manage drought and climate risks.

Measuring progress and sharing knowledge

To fund activities to show how, and to what extent, the Fund contributes to its priorities.

See more

• Next Phase of the Future Drought Fund
• 2024-25 Budget factsheet.

Programs

We work with our delivery partners to implement many of the FDF programs and initiatives. We bring local ideas to life and share drought resilience skills, information and technology.

We also encourage collaboration and co-investment in larger projects.

Explore our programs.

Building drought resilient communities

Building drought resilient farms and landscapes

Measuring success

Previous programs

Drought Resilience Funding Plan

The Drought Resilience Funding Plan ensures that FDF funding is consistent across programs. It provides a guide for decision-making under the Future Drought Fund Act 2019.

We review the funding plan every 4 years to capture emerging priorities and lessons learned. Stakeholder feedback helps to inform the future direction of FDF investments and activities.

The review process includes 2 stages:

1. Productivity Commission inquiry, including stakeholder feedback, with a report tabled in Parliament.
2. National stakeholder consultation over a minimum 6-week period.

Other independent reviews may also take place.

Insights from these processes inform each new funding plan.

Governance

Consultative Committee

The FDF Consultative Committee is an independent advisory group. They advise the Minister for on the Drought Resilience Funding Plan. The Committee ensures FDF programs are consistent with the Plan.

The Committee comprises experts in:

• sustainability
• drought resilience
• economics
• climate change
• innovation
• rural and regional development.

Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) Board

The RIC Board advises the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Board ensures that proposals, grants and agreements align with the Drought Resilience Funding Plan.

Annual reports

Stay informed

Subscribe to stay up-to-date on FDF developments and grant opportunities.

The FDF is part of a broader range of programs for farmers and rural communities. These programs help to prepare for, navigate and recover from drought.

See all Australian Government drought programs.

Contact us

We’d love to hear from you, email droughtresilience@aff.gov.au.