Drought Assistance
Drought Assistance
Individuals, families and farms can access a range of support services and payments to help manage the drought and prepare for the future.
As an accounting firm that has seen our clients through many tough times, we wanted to collate a list of these initiatives to give those in need a starting point. Please share this document as it may be able to provide assistance to others you know
We’re here for you. Please contact us if you need help applying for drought relief assistance.
Farm Household Allowance
The Farm Household Allowance is offered by Centrelink provides:
Up to four cumulative years of support for eligible farmers and farmer’s partners experiencing financial hardship.
Help to meet basic household needs.
Drought loans
Drought loans of up to $2 million are available from the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC). These loans are available at concessional variable rate of 3.11% (from 1 August 2019).
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Animal Welfare Transport Subsidy
This subsidy covers up to 50% of the transport of livestock that have little or no feed/water available
You can claim up to $20,000 per financial year per farm enterprise.
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Drought Assistance Fund
This loan can be used for:
The transport of stock, fodder and water
Genetic banking of breeding herds
Installation of on-farm fodder and water infrastructure
Activities that promote profitability and resilience as a result of the on-farm investment
Emergency Drought Transport Subsidy
This subsidy covers 50% of the transport costs and can be used for:
Stock to sale or slaughter transport
Transport of water and transport of fodder for stock
Transport of farm chemicals, fertiliser and seed
Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
This scheme allows eligible primary producers to claim a rebate of 25% of the cost of purchase, delivery and if applicable, the professional installation costs of water infrastructure to meet animal welfare needs.
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Farm Innovation Fund
The primary categories are:
Drought preparedness
Environment
Farm infrastructure
Natural resources.
AGL’s Farmer Assist
With the Drought Relief Assistance package, farmers can have up to $1,500 of existing debt wiped off their AGL business energy bill, while the Solar Assistance package provides an upfront discount ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 to help you fund your own solar panel system.
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Country Women’s Association of NSW – Drought Aid website
The CWA Drought Aid program provides assistance to help meet household expenses for drought-affected families.
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Emergency Relief Program
The assistance offered may include:
food, transport or chemist vouchers
part-payment of utility account(s)
food parcels or clothing
budgeting assistance
referrals to other services that help to address underlying causes of the financial crisis.
Buy a Bale
Rural Aid is offering primary producers in drought-affected areas a once-off $1,500 towards bill payment.
Once you are verified as being in a drought-declared/affected area, applications are approved within 14 working days.
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Rural Financial Counselling Service
The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) provides free financial counselling to farmers, fishers, forest growers and harvesters and small related businesses who are suffering financial hardship.
It’s a confidential, independent, mobile service available in all states and territories.
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