Australian Government Drought Assistance
In addition to the existing drought assistance packages, Centrelink is now administering
further measures that include a mix of payments and new rural grants. Centrelink is also expanding its social work and Rural Services Officer network to assist with the increased demand for services in drought affected regions.
These new measures will provide direct assistance to irrigators, make it easier for farmers and small businesses to access assistance and help with social pressures facing families across rural and regional Australia.
The major changes involving Centrelink delivered drought assistance include:
- an increase to the off-farm income exemption from $10 000 to $20 000 when claiming Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment or Interim Income Support
- immediate access to the $5500 Professional Advice and Planning Grant (GST included) for farmers in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declared areas
- an extension of the eligibility requirements of small businesses access to EC assistance, to include small businesses located in towns that are substantially reliant on farm income, have a population of 10 000 or less, and are in an EC area (including prima facia and interim assistance areas)
- a grant of up to $20 000 to irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin to implement water management strategies in response to significantly reduced water allocations
- an exit grant of up to $150 000 for farmers who have decided to leave the land, and an increase in the assets limit to access this grant to $575 000 (maximum grant payable if assets below $350 000), and
- a further $10 000 is available for advice and re-training, and up to $10 000 for relocation expenses is also available to those who take up the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant.
On this page
What assistance is available
Centrelink is assisting people in communities that have been affected by the drought in a number of ways. This assistance includes payments and services for farmers, small businesses, farm hands, irrigators and industry, and the wider community.
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Assistance for farmers
Due to the impact of the prolonged drought, assistance for farmers including revised eligibility requirements for the; Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment, Exceptional Circumstances Professional Advice and Planning Grant, Exceptional Circumstances Exit Assistance Package and other types of assistance continues to be available.
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Assistance for small business
In recognition of the impact of the prolonged drought on small business, revised eligibility requirements for assistance will extend income support and interest rate subsidies to many more eligible small businesses.
Assistance for farm hands
A number of services and programmes are available for farm hands in drought affected areas who have been laid off, face redundancy or are looking for work in a drought affected area. These services and programmes aim to encourage and support people who wish to stay in rural communities.
Assistance for irrigators and industry
Due to ongoing drought and changes to water allocation in the Murray-Darling Basin, many irrigators in this region are now eligible for the payments listed above. In addition, targeted assistance for eligible irrigators within the Murray-Darling Basin may be available.
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How do I find out more?
