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Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan — NSW, 2025-26
Up to $500K available · Rolling Applications
Rural Assistance Authority
Low interest loans of up to $500,000 are available to eligible primary producers in New South Wales for products, activities and services that improve drought preparedness and resilience to climate variability. Funding supports implementation of a Farm Business Resilience Plan or equivalent.
Funding
Up to $500K
Deadline
Rolling / Ongoing
Duration
5 or 10 years
Location
New South Wales
Who Can Apply
• Applicant must be an eligible primary production enterprise in New South Wales where the work is to be carried out.
• Eligible entity structures are sole trader, partnership, trust or private company.
• Applicant must have an Australian Business Number and declare itself for tax purposes in Australia as a primary producer.
• Applicant must not be a public company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
• At least one owner must contribute part of their labour to the enterprise.
• In at least 1 of the last 3 financial years, the enterprise must have generated at least $75,000 in eligible primary production income and no more than $5 million in total gross income, or at least 50% of gross income must be from eligible primary production income.
• Where income thresholds are not currently met, the applicant may still be eligible if seasonal conditions, biosecurity events or long lead times to production explain the shortfall, subject to Rural Assistance Authority assessment.
• Bona fide primary production enterprises may be considered eligible where they demonstrate commercial purpose, intention to profit, regularity, similarity to comparable enterprises and business-like organisation.
• Applicant must have a Farm Business Resilience Plan or equivalent deemed suitable by the Rural Assistance Authority.
• Applicant must provide satisfactory security in accordance with the program guidelines.
• Applicant must demonstrate long-term viability and capacity to repay the loan sought.
Applicants must be eligible primary production enterprises in New South Wales undertaking eligible work in the state. Eligible entities include sole traders, partnerships, trusts and private companies that have an active ABN and declare themselves for tax purposes in Australia as a primary producer. The enterprise must not be a public company, and at least one owner must contribute part of their labour to the enterprise. In at least one of the last three financial years, the business must have generated at least $75,000 in eligible primary production income and no more than $5 million in total gross income, or at least 50% of gross income must be from eligible primary production income. Where these thresholds are not currently met, applicants may still qualify if seasonal conditions, biosecurity events or long lead times to production explain the shortfall, subject to Rural Assistance Authority assessment. Applicants must have a Farm Business Resilience Plan or equivalent deemed suitable by the Rural Assistance Authority, provide satisfactory security, and demonstrate long-term viability and capacity to repay the loan.
What's Funded
Eligible activities commenced on or after 2023-07-01 that support implementation of a Farm Business Resilience Plan or equivalent, including animal welfare measures, on-farm water and fodder infrastructure, grain and feed storage, fencing, machinery upgrades, pest and weed control, on-farm solar, soil conservation works, income diversification within the farm gate, and training or professional advisory services related to drought preparedness.Before you apply
Check Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan fit and evidence gaps
Use this business grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.
Get a 48-hour grant fit auditExpected Outcomes
Improved self-reliance, sustainability and resilience of New South Wales primary production enterprises to manage drought, including stronger drought preparedness, improved farm infrastructure, better animal welfare, diversified farm income and improved business resilience planning.Key Information
Applicant Types
sole_traderpartnershiptrustcompany
Stage
established
Funding Purposes
sustainabilitycapital_expendituretrainingother
Keywords
droughtprimary producersfarm resilienceloanlow interest loanagricultureanimal welfarewater infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan?
The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan is a business grant offered by Rural Assistance Authority in Australia, providing Up to $500K in funding. Low interest loans of up to $500,000 are available to eligible primary producers in New South Wales for products, activities and services that improve drought preparedness and resilience to climate variability. Funding supports implementation of a Farm Business Resilience Plan or equivalent.
2
How much funding does the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan provide?
The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan provides Up to $500K in funding. The typical project duration is 5 or 10 years.
3
Who is eligible for the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan?
- Applicant must be an eligible primary production enterprise in New South Wales where the work is to be carried out.
- Eligible entity structures are sole trader, partnership, trust or private company.
- Applicant must have an Australian Business Number and declare itself for tax purposes in Australia as a primary producer.
- Applicant must not be a public company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
- At least one owner must contribute part of their labour to the enterprise.
- In at least 1 of the last 3 financial years, the enterprise must have generated at least $75,000 in eligible primary production income and no more than $5 million in total gross income, or at least 50% of gross income must be from eligible primary production income.
- Where income thresholds are not currently met, the applicant may still be eligible if seasonal conditions, biosecurity events or long lead times to production explain the shortfall, subject to Rural Assistance Authority assessment.
- Bona fide primary production enterprises may be considered eligible where they demonstrate commercial purpose, intention to profit, regularity, similarity to comparable enterprises and business-like organisation.
- Applicant must have a Farm Business Resilience Plan or equivalent deemed suitable by the Rural Assistance Authority.
- Applicant must provide satisfactory security in accordance with the program guidelines.
- Applicant must demonstrate long-term viability and capacity to repay the loan sought.
4
What activities are funded?
Eligible activities commenced on or after 2023-07-01 that support implementation of a Farm Business Resilience Plan or equivalent, including animal welfare measures, on-farm water and fodder infrastructure, grain and feed storage, fencing, machinery upgrades, pest and weed control, on-farm solar, soil conservation works, income diversification within the farm gate, and training or professional advisory services related to drought preparedness.
5
How do I apply for the Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loan?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
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