Pilot of Drought Reform Measures in Western Australia

The Australian Government, in partnership with the Western Australian Government, is conducting a pilot of drought reform measures in part of Western Australia.

The pilot is testing a package of new measures developed in response to the national review of drought policy. The measures are designed to move from a crisis management approach to risk management. The aim is to better support farmers, their families and rural communities in preparing for future challenges, rather than waiting until they are in crisis to offer assistance.

On 10 May 2011 the government announced that the pilot has been extended for 12 months and is being conducted from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2012. Payments made under one measure— Building Farm Businesses —will continue until 30 June 2014. From 1 July 2011, the drought pilot region will also cover an expanded region that includes the entire south west of Western Australia.

Drought pilot region 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011

Drought pilot region 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012

Drought reform measures

Farm Planning

Courses for farmers to develop or update a strategic plan for their farm business. The plan will identify priority activities to help improve the management and preparedness of the farm business to respond to future challenges.

Building Farm Businesses - Round two

Grants to eligible farm businesses in two components:

• Business Adaptation Grants– for eligible activities identified in the strategic plan developed or revised through the Farm Planning courses, that help farm businesses prepare for the impacts of drought, reduced water availability and a changing climate.
• Landcare Adaptation Grants– for eligible activities identified in the strategic plan with a natural resource management focus and having a broader public benefit.

Stronger Rural Communities

In 2010–11 the program provided grants to local government authorities and community organisations to fund projects that build the resilience of rural communities and help them manage hardship resulting from an agricultural downturn. In 2011–12 the Western Australian Government will give consideration to an alternative suite of community and family support measures.

Farm Social Support

Support for a better coordinated social support network to meet the mental health, counselling and other social needs of farming families and rural communities.

Farm Family Support

Income support for farmers facing financial hardship, allowing them to meet basic household needs.

Farm Exit Support

Grants to support farmers in significant financial difficulty who decide to sell their farm. This assistance helps farmers and their families make a fresh start.

Beyond Farming

Beyond Farming puts current farmers to talk about opportunities outside of farming. It enables them to talk to someone, who has been in the same position, about the options for themselves and their families if selling the farm business or retiring.

Fact sheet

Pilot of drought reform measures in Western Australia fact sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about the pilot of drought reform measures in Western Australia

For more information

Interested farmers, farm families and rural communities should consider the eligibility criteria and application deadlines for each measure.

For further information, please refer to the individual measures.

Contact the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.