Drought is an enduring feature of the Australian landscape. Managing drought will become more challenging as our climate continues 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.
Download
Future Drought Fund video transcript
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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 peoples' 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
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:
- Productivity Commission inquiry, including stakeholder feedback, with a report tabled in Parliament.
- 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.
Drought Resilience Funding Plan
The plan came into effect in February 2024. It provides a decision-making framework for the FDF. The plan ensures that funding is a spent in a consistent way.
Future Drought Fund Investment Strategy
The Strategy supports the Funding Plan. It shows how we will achieve the FDF objectives. It also tells stakeholders when they can engage with drought resilience programs and activities.
Productivity Commission Inquiry Report: Review of Part 3 of the Future Drought Act
This report examines the effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of Part 3 of the Future Drought Fund Act 2019.
Future Drought Fund consultation
Stakeholder feedback helped to inform the direction of FDF investments and activities.
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 before grants and agreements are entered into, they align with the Drought Resilience Funding Plan.
First Nations Advisory Group
The FDF First Nations Advisory Group members are engaged for their individual skills and expertise including:
- environmental, economic, social resilience development and reform
- First Nations engagement
- drought and climate resilience
- water and land management
- agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
The group will advise on First Nations perspectives on drought and climate resilience in the design and delivery of FDF activities.
Find more information about the role and membership of the First Nations Advisory Group.
- FDF First Nations Advisory Group factsheet (DOCX 1.3 MB)
- Terms of Reference for the FDF First Nations Advisory Group
Annual reports
Future Drought Fund: Annual Report 2023-24
Future Drought Fund: Annual Report 2022-23
Future Drought Fund: Annual Report 2021-22
Future Drought Fund: Annual Report 2020-21
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.