Understanding the Australian Government’s Drought Policy
Drought is a recurring feature of the Australian landscape, and as the climate changes, it is forecast to become more frequent, severe, and longer lasting in many regions. The Australian Government, in collaboration with farmers, rural communities, states and territories, and the agriculture, finance, and not-for-profit sectors, is working to build Australia’s capacity to withstand drought.
Everyone has a role to play in managing drought. Here is an overview of the government’s actions, the plans in place, and how you can stay informed and engaged.
What Is Being Done
As of September 2024, several key initiatives have been implemented to build drought resilience:
- Future Drought Fund: Investing $100 million a year to build drought resilience, including eight drought hubs with over 125 on-ground projects and more than 180 other resilience projects funded.
- Engagement and Training: Over 37,000 farmers have participated in business and risk management training.
- Community Support: 289 organisations and over 1,000 people supported to build community drought resilience.
- Regional Planning: Around 70 regions are undertaking drought resilience planning.
Other programs include the Farm Household Allowance, Farm Management Deposits, concessional loans for farming businesses, and continued support through the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
The Drought Plan
The Australian Government’s Drought Plan outlines its drought policy and approach to supporting farming businesses and communities. It focuses on three key objectives:
- Building drought resilience by enabling preparedness, risk management, and financial self-reliance.
- Providing a safety net for those experiencing hardship.
- Encouraging stakeholders to collaborate on addressing drought challenges.
The plan is informed by a review of the previous Drought Plan, public consultation, and stakeholder discussions. It helps deliver on commitments under the National Drought Agreement, ensuring roles and responsibilities across governments are clear.
How the Plan Makes a Difference
The Drought Plan supports the agricultural sector in several ways:
- Transparency in Decision-Making: A drought response framework ensures informed decisions based on qualitative and quantitative data, including drought indicators and regional feedback.
- Drought Indicators: Australian Agricultural Drought Indicators combine climate data and agricultural models to measure and forecast drought impacts. These indicators provide insights into rainfall deficiencies, soil moisture, crop yields, and farm profit.
- Support Programs: The plan specifies key programs for preparing for, managing through, and recovering from drought. These include farm business planning, climate information, financial assistance, rural counselling, and mental health services.
What Will and Won’t Be Done
The Drought Plan clarifies what will and won’t be done in response to drought:
What Will Be Done:
- Help farmers prepare for drought and build self-reliance.
- Provide a safety net for farmers in hardship.
- Ensure assistance is always available to eligible farmers.
- Work with state and territory governments to reduce gaps and duplications in support.
What Won’t Be Done:
- Make drought declarations.
- Provide support that discourages preparation or slows recovery.
- Favour one sector over another or distort markets.
- Duplicate existing programs or provide assistance with little public benefit.
Staying Informed and Providing Feedback
Stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed about drought-related policies and programs. Farmers and communities can engage through:
- National Drought Forum and National Drought Network.
- Program Reviews: Regular evaluations of policies and programs.
- Stakeholder Feedback: Opportunities to share what works and suggest improvements.
Farmers and rural communities are encouraged to seek advice and support from trusted organisations, including government services, charities, and professional networks.
Need Help?
For assistance or more information, the following resources are available:
- Farmer Assistance Hotline: Call 132 316.
- Online Support: Explore services and programs near you provided by governments, charities, and other organisations.
By working together, a sustainable, resilient agricultural sector can continue to support rural communities and the national economy.
For more details, visit Drought Policy.
