Rural Finance grants
Rural Finance delivers grant programs on behalf of the Victorian Government to help primary producers in times of need.
This page is updated as new grants become available.
- Victorian Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants.
- Farm Drought Support Grants - available statewide.
Victorian Primary Producer Bushfire Recovery Grants
The Victorian Government has recently announced measures to support Victorian primary producers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires. These measures include grants of up to $75,000 to assist with the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of primary production enterprises that have suffered direct damage as a result of bushfires. The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Applications are now open and will close at 4pm on 21 October 2026.
Grants are provided to help pay for the costs of the clean-up and reinstatement of the primary production enterprise, including:
- engaging a tradesperson to conduct a safety inspection of damage to a property, premises or equipment;
- hiring and leasing equipment , or purchasing materials to clean a property, premises or equipment;
- purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment or materials that are essential for immediately resuming operation of the primary production enterprise, including pumps and generators;
- removing and disposing of debris, damaged goods and material, and injured or dead livestock;
- Other activities as listed in the program guidelines.
A full list of eligible activities is included in the program guidelines.
The maximum grant amount available is $75,000, available in two Tiers.
- An initial up-front payment of up to $10,000 (Tier 1) is available. To support an initial claim, evidence of direct damage is required. For example, photographs, quotations or advisory reports. You can also provide tax invoices or official receipts for recovery activities carried out.
- For Tier 1 applications, tax invoices and/or receipts are NOT required to be supplied as part of the application. However, applicants must keep evidence of payment to verify expenditure of funding on eligible relief and recovery activities carried out.
- A subsequent amount of up to $65,000 (Tier 2) is available. To support subsequent claims full evidence of payment (tax invoices and official receipts) is required for the funding to be provided under Tier 2. This evidence of payment must also include any amounts claimed under the initial (Tier 1) claim if not already provided.
- You can make up to three claims to support your grant for up to $75,000. Any additional claims will be considered by Rural Finance on a case-by-case basis.
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must have a primary production enterprise that is located in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster and have suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible disaster. Full eligibility criteria are available in the program guidelines, accessed via the links on the right of this page.
Local Government Areas included in the defined disaster area are:
- Alpine
- Ararat
- Benalla
- Campaspe
- Colac Otway
- Corangamite
- East Gippsland
- Golden Plains
- Greater Bendigo
- Horsham
- Lake Mountain Alpine Resort (unincorporated)
- Macedon Ranges
- Mansfield
- Mildura
- Mitchell
- Moira
- Mount Alexander
- Murrindindi
- Pyrenees
- Strathbogie
- Towong
- Wellington
- Wodonga
- Yarra Ranges
For the fastest processing, please read the program guidelines carefully and ensure your application is complete before submitting. If you submit online via Smarty Grants, be sure to click ‘submit’ and check for a confirmation email from service@smartygrants.com.au.
Rural Finance are available to assist with application queries via email admin@ruralfinance.com.au or phone 1800 260 425.
How do I apply?
Please read the program guidelines to ensure that your business is eligible before completing an application. To avoid any delay in the processing of your application, please ensure you have provided all the information and documentation required with your completed application.
Applications can be submitted online, by email or post to Rural Finance:
- Online: Start your online application
- Email: admin@ruralfinance.com.au
- Post: Rural Finance, PO Box 1313, Bendigo Central 3552
Please contact Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 if you have any questions.
Documents – primary producer bushfire recovery grants
- Victorian primary producer bushfire recovery grants - guidelines
- Victorian primary producer bushfire recovery grants - application form
- Victorian primary producer bushfire recovery grants - FAQ
Documents - farm drought support grant
Need help with your application?
Free and confidential assistance is available to primary producers through the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
To find your local Rural Financial Counsellor, call 1300 771 741.
Farm Drought Support Grants - available statewide
Please be advised that as of 4 July 2025 the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants program underwent a name change. It is now referred to as the Farm Drought Support Grants program. The program is available statewide.
Although the name has changed, this is not a new program and no additional funding is available. The purpose and eligibility criteria remain the same as outlined in the program guidelines.
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).