Must-Know FAQs to Secure Your Drought Support Grant
- Future Accounting
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 19
Don't miss out, Drought Support Grant Funds are limited.
Pasture and Crop Restoration is an eligible activity under the grant. This can include costs for seed, fertiliser, and contracting services. Discover if you can use the grant funding to help offset some of these expenses.
How much do I get?
The Farm Drought Support Grant provides dollar-for-dollar matching, meaning you'll be reimbursed $1 for every $2 you spend, up to a cap of:
$5,000 for all Victorian farmers
$10,000 for farmers in designated focus areas
What can I claim for?
Any activities that improve drought preparedness and strengthen ongoing farm drought resilience such as:
Water and Infrastructure Upgrades
Build or upgrade Stock Containment Areas
Reticulated water and irrigation systems
Bores, dams, and effluent systems
Feed and Storage
Silos, hay sheds, and silage bunkers
Feed pads and troughs
Land and Livestock Management
Internal fencing and shelter belts
Wildlife exclusion fencing
Pasture and crop restoration
Water carting for essential operations
Technology and Productivity
Soil monitors, weather stations, telemetry
Lane-way upgrades and access improvements
Testing and Advisory Support
Soil, water, or feed testing
Business planning and animal welfare advice
Rural Finance takes a flexible and practical approach when assessing the Farm Drought Support Grant applications.
If you can clearly demonstrate that your investment has improved drought preparedness and strengthened the long-term resilience of your farm, your application is likely to be viewed favourably - see Agriculture Victoria's Example Expenses List below for more details.
What is the process?
Step 1: Confirm eligibility-
Property location – e.g. a council rates notice
Income – e.g. tax return
ID – e.g. a driver’s license
Step 2: Submit an application with a quote and/or supporting documentation
Step 3: Rural Finance will assess your application:
approved
approved in principle - you’ll have 3 months to complete the project
declined
Important: All costs must be paid upfront.
Step 4: Complete and pay for the work
Step 5: Submit invoices, receipts or bank statements
Step 6: Receive reimbursement - 50% of eligible costs, up to the applicable cap (excl. GST)
Who can apply?
To be eligible, you must:
Own, share, or lease a Victorian primary production business
Hold an ABN since before 30 Sept 2024
Actively work in the business
Either earn over 50% of your income from it or generate more than $75,000 annually.
What is not allowed?
Everyday operating expenses that aren’t directly tied to drought resilience are ineligible.
This includes:
Feed, fuel, utilities, wages, machinery
Livestock purchases, training, software
Land or building purchases
Admin, legal, or insurance costs
Any Catches?
Yes, there are a few key conditions to know:
Water carting claims (owner/driver): Must align with Ag Department kilometre rate; claims over 100km need rego and log book.
Infrastructure compliance: All works must meet Victorian laws and gain relevant permits before starting.
When does this money it Finish?
The program runs until 30 June 2026 or until funds are exhausted — whichever comes first. Get in early to maximise your chances.
Agriculture Victoria's Example Expenses List
Items to construct a new, or upgrade an existing, Stock Containment Area (SCA) such as fencing, gates, troughs, piping, tanks and pumps
Reticulated water systems using pumps, piping, tanks and troughs for livestock
Irrigation system upgrades (e.g. automated systems)
Purchase or repair of fixed infrastructure (e.g. irrigation pumps, repair piping, replace troughs, upgrade tanks)
Improved on-farm water infrastructure for stock management (e.g. consolidating / enlarging / desilting farm dams)
Technologies to improve drought management efficiencies to farm production systems (e.g. soil moisture monitoring, weather stations, telemetry sensor equipment)
Grain and fodder storage (e.g. silos, silage bunkers, hay sheds)
Internal fencing to better match property layout with land capability or improve management
Fencing for the exclusion of wildlife to protect and manage crops and pastures
Addition of shelter belts for shade, wind breaks and erosion control
Drilling of new stock water bores and associated power supply such as generators
Improving waste water and effluent management systems
Upgrading of areas (e.g. lane-way upgrades, repairs or expansion) to deliver lasting benefits directly linked to productivity and profitability
Feeding system upgrades (e.g. feed pads or feed troughs)
Pasture/crop restoration (e.g. associated seed and fertiliser costs, contractor costs such as cultivation and sowing, direct drilling, smudging or harrowing, rolling etc.)
Water carting for livestock and essential business activities (e.g. dairy wash-down)
Testing (such as soil, water or feed testing) to support drought management decisions
Professional advice to support business planning and drought management decisions, including for animal welfare.
Future Accounting is actively helping our clients apply and get this funding.
Let us manage the paperwork while you focus on your farm, from eligibility to sorting documentation and grant lodgement, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Book a chat or send us an email
