Financial support
Grants, loans and funding programs for landholders and communities affected by drought. Get financial help to prepare, manage and recover, while building long-term resilience.
There are loans and funding programs to help build resilience and help communities and landholders prepare for drought.
The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund for farmers is administered by the Rural Assistance Authority.
The fund currently offers 2 loans:
- The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan offers low interest loans up to $500,000 for drought preparation, management and recovery.
- The Drought Relief Loan is a low interest loan of up to $100,000 to support drought-affected farmers in NSW.
There are programs available to support your farm-related business.
Drought support available from the Australian Government:
The Regional Investment Corporation is backed by the Australian Government.
It is a low-interest loan specialist for farm businesses and farm-related small businesses.
NSW drought support programs
Farm business resilience program
The Farm Business Resilience Program gives practical support to manage drought, climate and business risk.
Saving our Soils During Drought
The Saving our Soils During Drought program helps primary producers adopt drought resilient land management and livestock production systems.
Farms of the Future
Farms of the Future helps farm businesses adopt technology to improve productivity, sustainability and business outcomes.
Tocal College Drought Skilled
Training and resources to assist farmers prepare, manage and recover from drought.
Drought adoption officers
Drought adoption officers can help landholders with drought planning and preparedness extension services.
Safe and Secure Water program
The Safe and Secure Water program helps to fun water and sewerage projects in regional NSW.
Industry support
Dairy Australia has resources, tools and activities to help dairy farmers during adverse events.
For more information, call Dairy Australia on 1800 270 778 or visit:
NSW Farmers is a membership organisation representing farmers across NSW. As well as advocating for farmers on issues that shape agriculture and regional areas, they provide direct business support and advice to their members.
For more information, call 02 9478 1000 or visit NSW Farmers.
MLA fosters the long-term prosperity of the Australian red meat and livestock industry. MLA is a service provider to the red meat industry, not an industry representative body or lobby group.
Support information is available from MLA’s Dealing with natural disasters.
APL is a producer-owned organisation supporting the Australian pork industry.
For more information, call APL on 1800 789 099 or visit Australian Pork.
Drought support contacts
Key drought contacts
Local Land Services | call: 1300 795 299 | Local Land Services website
Rural Assistance Authority (loans) | Rural Assistance Authority website
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Central & Southern NSW | call: 1800 319 458 | Rural financial counselling service website
RFCS NSW Northern | call: 1800 344 090 | RFCS NSW Northern
Drought Coordinator | email: drought@lls.nsw.gov.au
Seasonal conditions team | email: seasonal.conditions@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Wellbeing | call: Lifeline: 13 11 14 | Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | 13YARN 13 92 76 | In an emergency, call 000