Drought & Rural Assistance
Support for Mallee farmers and rural businesses doing it tough — financial counselling, income support, drought programs and mental-health services. Every service on this page is free or low-cost.
- If you're under financial pressure, call the Rural Financial Counselling Service first (1300 771 741, free) — a counsellor can assess your situation and help you apply for Farm Household Allowance and other support in one conversation.
- If cash flow is the immediate problem, check eligibility for Farm Household Allowance through Services Australia — it's an income support payment, not a loan.
- If you or someone on the farm is struggling, don't wait — call Lifeline (13 11 14) any time, or the National Centre for Farmer Health for farm-specific support.
Financial & drought assistance
Rural Financial Counselling Service — Victoria
1300 771 741Free, independent financial counselling for farmers and rural small businesses facing hardship — budgeting, debt, succession and Farm Household Allowance applications.
Visit website →Farm Household Allowance
132 316Services Australia income support payment for farmers and their partners in financial hardship, paid similarly to JobSeeker with extra farm-specific supplements.
Visit website →Agriculture Victoria — drought & dry seasons
136 186State drought and dry-season programs, grants, technical advice and seasonal outlook information for Victorian farmers.
Visit website →Regional Assistance Victoria
136 186Coordinates state support during drought, flood and other agricultural emergencies, including hardship grants when declared.
Visit website →Mental health support for farmers
National Centre for Farmer Health
03 5551 8533Research-based health and wellbeing service specifically for farmers, farm workers and their families.
Visit website →Rural Minds
Mental health awareness, training and resources built for rural and farming communities.
Visit website →Lifeline
13 11 1424/7 crisis support and suicide prevention — call, text or chat online.
Visit website →Beyond Blue
1300 22 463624/7 support for anxiety, depression and general mental wellbeing.
Visit website →