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In Drought Resources

Help is available from a variety of agencies and organisations for farmers and communities during drought, and other hard times.

On this page: links to local, state and national resources, including services, outlooks, grants, loans and wellbeing services.

 

Local

Queensland

Find your local council in Queensland.

New South Wales

Find your local council in New South Wales.

 

State level

Queensland

Business Queensland drought grants - an information hub, including information on developing Farm Business Resilience Plans, the Farm Business Resilience Program, grant information, and information on various support measures. Read more at Business Queensland>>

Business Queensland community support - information on disaster support and recovery is found via Business Queensland's community support section, find the relevant section here>>

QRIDA - the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) is a specialist provider of Queensland Government financial assistance programs, including loans, grants and rebates. (On the QRIDA site, be sure to check out the Sustainability Loan; drought preparedness activities are one of the eligible activities.)

Drought situation map - current Queensland drought situation map. View the drought map>>

The Long Paddock - climate risk information for rural Queensland.

Rural Financial Counsellors (RFC) - find your local RFC service via this list from DAFF. In Southern Queensland, the local RFC service also provides Business Wellness Coaching.

New South Wales

NSW Drought Hub - this NSW online hub is your source of information for preparing for and managing drought in NSW. Includes drought support loans & grant details, and tools and information. This information site includes:

  • preparing for drought (tools, guides, risk planning, training opportunities)
  • managing during drought (livestock management, wellbeing, financial support including links to current support from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority. Regional Investment Corporation & Australian Government programs)
  • recovering after drought (guides, financial and community support).

Interactive Combined Drought Indicator map - this interactive tool provides a snapshot of current seasonal conditions for NSW.

Seasonal Conditions and Drought - from NSW DPI, information to prepare for, monitor, and manage seasonal conditions. Includes a seasonal update.

Rural Financial Counsellors - find your local RFC service via this list from DAFF.

 

National level

Ag360.com.au - supported via the Armidale Node of the SQNNSW Innovation Hub, is a free decision-making tool that provides a rainfall and soil moisture predictions for up to 6 months in advance, sign up here>>

Australian Taxation Office - drought support information can be found here (deep link via the financial difficulties, disaster and vulnerabilities support for individuals/families)

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - information on drought, disaster and rural support, including loans, allowances, tax concessions etc.

Drought outlook - from the Bureau of Meteorology, this regular report provides details of rainfall deficiencies and water availability.

Long range forecast - from the Bureau of Meteorology, this overview is issued on Thursdays.

My Climate View - supported by the Future Drought Fund, this tool provides farmers with tailored insights into their changing climate.

Northern Australia Climate Program - the NACP drought monitor maps are national.

 

Health and Wellbeing

Rural Wellbeing Toolkit - developed by the SQNNSW Innovation Hub, the toolkit provides ideas and tips for anyone supporting the wellbeing of others in their rural community, read more>>

Need help now?

Find support

DAFF maintains a list of social support and wellbeing services for all states. Find out more>>

Service providers