Grants

The Victorian Government has established the Farm Drought Support Grants program (previously known as the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants). It aims to assist primary production businesses to implement on-farm infrastructure improvements and undertake essential business activities that improves drought management and preparedness.

The program is available to eligible primary production businesses in all Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Victoria and the unincorporated area of French Island.

Eligible primary production businesses are required to provide dollar for dollar matching funding co-contribution.

A grant of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) per eligible primary production business is available statewide.

Primary production businesses located in the below LGAs in south west Victoria are eligible for a grant of up to $10,000 (excluding GST). Primary producers in the south west that have already received a grant can apply for the difference between what they have already been granted up to the maximum grant amount of $10,000 (excluding GST).

The grant covers activities like constructing a new or upgrading existing:

• Stock Containment Areas (SCA);
• reticulated water systems;
• irrigation system upgrades;
• grain and fodder storage;
• internal re-fencing to better match property layout;
• feed system upgrades;
• pasture/crop restoration; and
• water carting for livestock and essential business activities.

Grants will be available from the date the program opens until program funds are fully allocated or 30 June 2026, whichever occurs first.

Assessment and approval process

The application will be assessed by Rural Finance. Rural Finance will notify the applicant of either in-principle approval or rejection of their proposal.

Upon receiving written ‘in-principle’ approval, applicants must complete their eligible activities within three months of the date of the in-principle approval.

Applicants are required to cover the initial cost of the project and/or activity. After which Rural Finance will reimburse the grant amount. The grant will cover 50% of the total cost of the eligible activities (up to $5,000 excluding GST, or $10,000 excluding GST for businesses located in south west LGA’s).

Upon completion of the eligible activities, applicants must submit evidence of payment. This needs to include tax invoices and official receipts or bank statements, to Rural Finance.

Which local government areas are included in the south west LGA’s list?

• Ararat
• Colac Otway
• Corangamite
• Glenelg
• Golden Plains
• City of Greater Geelong
• Moyne
• Pyrenees
• Southern Grampians
• Surf Coast
• Warrnambool
• West Wimmera*

Existing Applicants located in south west LGA’s

Existing applicants in south west LGA’s can email (admin@ruralfinance.com.au) or call (1800 260 425) Rural Finance to request an Additional Claims Form to be added to your existing application.

Please include your existing application reference number (e.g. RF-1234-ODFI).