Farmers wait up to four months for $5000 rebate for drought assistance as applications swell

The application process for a much-needed infrastructure rebate for farmers has been flooded with interest as calls for more help are renewed.

Drought-stricken farmers are waiting for up to four months to learn if they’ve been successful for a $5000 state government rebate, which they say is “drop in the ocean”.

More than 1500 farmers have applied for a share of $5m in drought resilience infrastructure rebates, with the grants application team doubled to 18 staff to deal with demand.

Mallee farmer Emily Morgan, who lost about 80 per cent of their crop, said such is the disaster in the regions, the rebate did not go far enough.

“We know one guy who has spent $250,000 on hay and grain and it’s basically just to keep the stock alive,” Mrs Morgan said.

“We’ve had to go to the bank and borrow another third of our total debt again just so we can put a crop in this year. Nothing can prepare you for this.”

Dams across the state, like this one in the Mid North, are dry as the drought continues. Picture: Mark Brake

Their Jabuk farm had 224mm of rain in 2024 compared to 384mm the previous year and, when combined with frost, lost nearly their entire yearly income in one night.

“We weren’t able to fill our hay contract with buyers, so my husband is travelling six hours a day to Victoria just to bring hay back,” Mrs Morgan said.

“Virtually overnight we lost 80 per cent of our annual income … it reminds me of during Covid when retail and hospitality businesses had to shut shop.

“We can’t expect the government to subsidise our wages, but a low interest loan would help.”

The rebates, a maximum of $5000 each, are part of state government’s $18m drought support package, announced in November.

The package also included nearly $10m to be shared between existing programs for rural financial counsellors and the state and federal government’s future drought fund.

A South-East livestock farmer, who wished to remain anonymous, found out last week their grant application had been approved – four months since applying.

“It’s a drop in the ocean in comparison to what we need to receive,” the farmer said.

“It’s a pathetic amount.”

Aussie Hay Runners and other charities are delivering truckloads of donated hay to drought-stricken farmers across South Australia. Picture: Chris Woodman

Primary Industries and Regions SA did not answer questions on how many rebate applications had been received and granted only that it received “more than 100 applications a week” and “around $1.5m in support” was approved.

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said only one submission received in December, not requiring further clarification, was under assessment and expected to be finalised shortly.

“The state government established this scheme in response to industry feedback and what our farmers need most,” Ms Scriven said.

She said the government would continue to “back in” farmers to ensure the right assistance goes to the right places and that low-interest loans were available federally.

Opposition spokeswoman Nicola Centofanti. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Opposition spokeswoman Nicola Centofanti said the government “seemed unwilling to treat this crisis with the urgency and seriousness it deserves”.

“The government must broaden its current funding package to include subsidies for water carting and no or low-interest concession loans to help with cashflow,” Ms Centofanti said.

“These are hand-ups, not hand-outs, and it’s exactly what industry has been telling us they need to get through this crisis.”

Originally published as Farmers wait up to four months for $5000 rebate for drought assistance as applications swell