Official source checkedNational

Drought Hardship Loan

Regional Investment Corporation · Checked 2026-10-16

The Drought Hardship Loan provides financial support to eligible Australian farm businesses to help them manage through and recover from prolonged drought. Loans can be used to cover operating costs, purchase fodder and cart water, and support transport needs for livestock and produce.

Form of value

Grant funding

Indicative value

Loans of up to $250,000

Current availability

Apply at any time.

Before you act: Applications are open and can be submitted at any time for eligible businesses.

Want a personalised check? AI reads this record alongside your situation and checks what else may be relevant.

Ask RebateAI

Preliminary eligibility check

Your answers stay in this page and are not an official assessment.

Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Contribute or plan to contribute at least 75% of labour to the farm business
Earn or plan to earn at least 50% of income from the farm business
Own or lease land and use it for farming purposes
Must be in financial need of a loan
Must have been in drought for at least 24 months and expect to be impacted for at least the next 12 months
Must have the capacity to repay the loan
Must have existing commercial debt
Must be in an eligible industry such as agriculture, horticulture, pastoral, beekeeping, or aquaculture
Must operate as a sole trader, trust, partnership or private company
Must be registered for ABN and GST in Australia
Must have a drought management plan