The Victorian Government has recently announced measures to support Victorian primary producers impacted by the January 2026 bushfires.

These measures include grants of up to $75,000 to assist with the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of primary production enterprises that have suffered direct damage as a result of bushfires. The program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Applications are now open and will close at 4pm on 21 October 2026.

Grants are provided to help pay for the costs of the clean-up and reinstatement of the primary production enterprise, including:

• engaging a tradesperson to conduct a safety inspection of damage to a property, premises or equipment;
• hiring and leasing equipment , or purchasing materials to clean a property, premises or equipment;
• purchasing, hiring or leasing equipment or materials that are essential for immediately resuming operation of the primary production enterprise, including pumps and generators;
• removing and disposing of debris, damaged goods and material, and injured or dead livestock;
• Other activities as listed in the program guidelines.

The maximum grant amount available is $75,000, available in two Tiers.

• An initial up-front payment of up to $10,000 (Tier 1) is available. To support an initial claim, evidence of direct damage is required. For example, photographs, quotations or advisory reports. You can also provide tax invoices or official receipts for recovery activities carried out.
  
  • For Tier 1 applications, tax invoices and/or receipts are NOT required to be supplied as part of the application. However, applicants must keep evidence of payment to verify expenditure of funding on eligible relief and recovery activities carried out.
• A subsequent amount of up to $65,000 (Tier 2) is available. To support subsequent claims full evidence of payment (tax invoices and official receipts) is required for the funding to be provided under Tier 2.This evidence of payment must also include any amounts claimed under the initial (Tier 1) claimif not already provided.
  • You can make up to three claims to support your grant for up to $75,000. Any additional claims will be considered by Rural Finance on a case-by-case basis.

To be eligible for the primary producer Bushfire Recovery Grants, the primary producer applicant must:

• Be a primary producer,
• Devote part of their labour to the primary production enterprise;
• Derive at least 50 per cent of their gross income from primary production in an average year
  • i. An applicant may also be eligible for a grant if the applicant derives at least 50 per cent of their total gross income from primary production and value-added products (e.g. wine) made directly from raw produce grown by the applicant
• Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the disaster;
• Have a primary production enterprise that is located in the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster and have suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible disaster;
• Have been engaged in carrying on the primary production enterprise when affected by the eligible disaster;
• Intend to re-establish the primary production enterprise in the same community, region or sector as the defined disaster area for the eligible disaster;
• Be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the applications.

See guidelines for list of eligible LGAs and additional requirements.

• Address: Rural Finance, PO Box 1313, Bendigo Central 3552
• Phone: 1800 260 425
• Email: admin@ruralfinance.com.au