The Victorian Government is supporting primary producers, small businesses and not for profit organisations across Victoria affected by the devastating floods and storms which commenced in October 2022 to get back in business, with a package of support to help kickstart their relief and recovery effort. This support is also available to primary producers impacted by the hailstorms late in 2022.

The Program includes:

• Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant 
• Victorian Rural Landholder Grant 
• Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Transport Support Program
• Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Concessional Loan
• Victorian Small Business and Not for Profit Organisations Flood Recovery Concessional Loans

The Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant of up to $75,000 is available to support clean-up, relief and recovery efforts. This grant replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean-Up and Relief Grants announced 21 October 2022. Applications close 13 July 2023 at 4pm. For Tier 2 payments, applicants have up to 10 months after 13 July 2023 to make claims with full evidence of payment (tax invoices and official receipts) required to be submitted by 31 May 2024.

The Victorian Rural Landholder Grant of up to $25,000 is available to help rural landholders who have an eligible smaller-scale primary production enterprise with clean-up, relief and recovery efforts. If you do not meet the eligibility for the $75,000 Flood Recovery Grant, but operate a smaller-scale primary production enterprise, you may be eligible for this grant. Applications close 13 July 2023 at 4pm. For Tier 2 payments, applicants have up to 10 months after 13 July 2023 to make claims with full evidence of payment (tax invoices and official receipts) required to be submitted by 31 May 2024.

The Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Transport Support Program is available to help pay for the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and moving stock to agistment, sale or slaughter. This program provides a subsidy of up to $15,000 paid at 50 per cent of the total costs. Applications close 13 July 2023 at 4pm.

Primary producers, small businesses and not for profit organisations whose properties have been directly impacted or who have suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the 2022 Victorian floods and storms are eligible to apply for a Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Concessional Loan of up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway. Applications close 13 July 2023 at 4pm for primary producers and 25 May 2023 for other applicants.

Rural Finance administers this program which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Which Local Government Areas are covered?

The following local government areas and one alpine resort are eligible:

Contact Rural Finance: Please contact our office on 1800 260 425 if you have any questions.

Contact your local Rural Financial Counsellor: The Rural Financial Counselling Service offers free and independent financial information, options, decision making support and referral services to farmers and small, related rural businesses who are in, or at risk of, financial hardship. A rural financial counsellor can assist farmers to understand, and apply for, government support. Call 1300 771 741.

Other Flood Recovery Support

Agriculture Victoria: A range of information and resources are available for flood and storm-affected primary producers, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/floods.

Flood Recovery Hotline: Victorians affected by the floods and storms can call 1800 560 760 for help with navigating support and mental health and wellbeing. Press 9 for an interpreter. The recovery hotline is open from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 6 pm on weekends. For more information visit vic.gov.au/2022-flood-recovery