The review
The Productivity Commission carried out a review of the Future Drought Fund (FDF) and released their Inquiry Report on 26 September 2023.
The report is helping to inform the future direction of FDF investments and activities from 2024-25.
On 7 May 2024, the Prime Minister announced $519.1 million over 8 years to deliver the second phase of the FDF.
Read more about the next phase of funding for the FDF.
In October 2023, the Australian Government took early action on the Productivity Commission’s findings by announcing $17.7 million from the FDF to progress essential activities in line with key recommendations from the Inquiry into the effectiveness of the FDF.
- $10 million — Short-term extension to the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs (to 30 June 2025), so farmers and regional communities can continue to access information and services, while an evaluation is undertaken.
- $4.8 million — Short-term extension to the Climate Services for Agriculture program (to 30 June 2025), so farmers and regional communities can continue to access climate information through the My Climate View tool, while future program offerings are considered.
- $2.91 million — Activities to evaluate key programs, better understand the needs of First Nations communities and to improve collaboration, information sharing and the way we measure success.
A full response to the Inquiry Report will be released in mid-late 2024.
Learn about the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry findings.