On 2 October 2020, the Australian Government announced an additional $50 million of funding for the expansion of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme in 2020-21.The roll-out of the expanded Scheme is currently being negotiated with all states and territories, including co-funding arrangements. Read the Minister’s announcement – Joint media release: $50 million boost to successful drought water infrastructure rebate.
Rebates for on-farm water infrastructure expenses. Helping primary producers and horticulture farmers in drought-affected areas.
$50 million over 3 years. Starting in 2018-19 financial year.
Access rebates
State and territory governments administer and deliver the rebates. Rebates for primary producers and horticulture farmers are now available in all states and territories.
- Farmers in New South Wales can apply for the rebate from 14 January 2019 via the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website.
- Farmers in Victoria can apply for the rebate from 8 March 2019 via the Rural Finance website.
- Farmers in Queensland can apply for the rebate from 5 April 2019 via the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
- Farmers in South Australia can apply for the rebate from 8 February via the Primary Industries and Regions SA website.
- Farmers in Western Australia can apply for the rebate from 10 May 2019 via the Western Australia Government Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website.
- Farmers in Tasmania can apply for the rebate from 3 May 2019 via the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment website.
- Farmers in the Northern Territory can apply for the rebate from 29 March 2019 via the Northern Territory Government website.
- Farmers in the Australia Capital Territory can apply for the rebate from 24 January 2019 via the ACT Government Environment website.
Who can apply
You must be:
- a primary producer or horticulture farmer (as defined by your state or territory)
- a property owner, share farmer or lease holder
- in an area defined as drought affected (by your state or territory)
- in the grazing or horticulture industries.
Eligible expenses
Your new infrastructure must:
- be for grazing livestock or permanent plantings that you own (rebates do not apply to agisted stock)
- be for an animal welfare or permanent planting need
- improve your drought resilience.
Eligible expenses for primary producers must relate to:
- buying and installing
- pipes
- water storage devices such as tanks and troughs associated with stock watering
- water pumps and associated electronic systems to manage water delivery
- desilting dams
- drilling new stock water bores and associated power supply such as generators.
Water infrastructure to support livestock watering must be purchased after 30 June 2018.
Eligible expenses for horticulture farmers must relate to:
- desilting dams
- drilling new groundwater bores and associated power supply such as generators.
Water infrastructure to support permanent plantings must be purchased after 30 June 2019.
Rebates will be 25 per cent of the costs for eligible expenses or up to a maximum amount agreed by the implementing state.
Benefits
Improving on-farm water supply will:
- address animal welfare and permanent planting needs
- help primary producers and horticulture farmers to be more resilient for future droughts
- increase productivity for primary producers
- mitigate degradation of natural watering points.
More funding
You may also be eligible to apply for funding through the Water Efficiency Program.
Funding for on-farm projects in the Murray–Darling Basin is available in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.