Extreme weather events such as bushfires, floods, and droughts can have devastating impacts on livestock producers and rural communities.
Beyond the immediate threat to animal welfare and farm infrastructure, these disasters often create long-term challenges that affect business continuity, mental health, and the resilience of supply chains. For producers, the recovery process can be complex and stressful, requiring access to practical support and reliable information.
Natural disasters also significantly increase biosecurity risks. Movement of animals, feed, and equipment during emergency situations can introduce or spread pests and diseases, while damaged infrastructure may compromise established biosecurity practices. Maintaining strong biosecurity measures during and after a disaster is critical to protecting animal health and safeguarding industry sustainability.
Industry organisations and government agencies work hard to ensure producers have access to timely, practical support. Explore the resources below to help your members prepare, respond, and recover effectively.
National resources
- Disaster Assist — DAHA – central hub for federal disaster recovery programs, payments, and grants.
- Drought, Disaster and Rural Support — DAFF – information on drought and disaster assistance for primary producers.
- RIC Farm Relief Tool — Regional Investment Corporation – connects producers to concessional loans and financial assistance.
State resources
Victoria
- January 2026 Victorian Bushfires – recovery support for people and communities affected by the Victorian fires that started on 7 January 2026.
- Bushfires — Agriculture Victoria – on-farm bushfire recovery resources.
- Drought Support — Agriculture Victoria – financial and practical assistance for Victorian farmers and communities impacted by drought.
- Emergency Fodder Support Program — Victorian Farmers Federation – emergency fodder support for landholders affected by bushfire or other significant emergency events.
- Relief and Recovery — VicEmergency – a centralised website for Victorians to find emergency information and warnings. Also includes preparedness and recovery information related to emergencies.
Queensland
- Queensland Disaster Portal — Qld Government – information to help Queenslanders prepare, respond and recover from disasters.
- Disaster Assistance Loans — Qld Rural and Industry Development Authority – grants and loans to assist primary producers re-establishing normal operations.
- NQ Floods Support — Qld Rural and Industry Development Authority – disaster assistance grants for flooded North Queensland primary producers.
New South Wales
- Emergency Management — DPI – NSW biosecurity and emergency response resources.
- On-Farm Emergency Management — NSW Government – practical disaster planning tools.
South Australia
- Recovery SA – information regarding disaster recovery from the Inland River Flooding event in the state’s far north-east.
- Drought Support — PIRSA – assistance for drought-affected producers in South Australia.
Western Australia
- Recovery Funding — Department of Fire and Emergency Services – grants and support for disaster recovery.
- Disaster Recovery Funding — DPIRD – primary producer assistance.
Tasmania
- Natural Disaster Support — NRE Tasmania – information for recovery support from natural disasters, including bushfire, flood, dry conditions and storm events in Tasmania.
Northern Territory
- Recover — NT Government – emergency recovery information.
Australian Capital Territory
- ACT Natural Disaster Support — Services Australia – help for people directly affected by a natural disaster in the ACT, such as fires, storms or floods.
Industry resources
Disasters can increase biosecurity risks. These resources provide guidance on maintaining strong biosecurity practices during recovery.
Bushfire resources
- Fires — Dairy Australia – emergency response for dairy farms.
- Bushfire Hub — MLA – livestock care and recovery planning.
Flood resources
- Flood Information for Livestock Producers — MLA – animal welfare and recovery tips.
- Wet Conditions & Floods — Dairy Australia – practical advice for dairy producers.
- Biosecurity During Recovery — AgForce – biosecurity guidance for flood recovery.
Drought resources
- Drought Management — MLA – feed planning and animal health.
- Dry Conditions & Droughts — Dairy Australia – drought preparedness and recovery.
Mental health support
Recovering from disasters can be emotionally challenging. These services offer confidential support for producers and their families:
- Lifeline — 13 11 14
- 13 YARN — support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636