Rural Finance – Victorian Bushfire Recovery Transport Support Program

This program aims to provide financial assistance to primary producers that were affected by the bushfires which occurred in December 2019/January 2020 (bushfire event). It has been established under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018.

The objective of the program is to assist primary producers (including apiarists) affected by the bushfire event to meet immediate animal welfare and safety needs and to recover from the effects of the bushfire event.

A transport subsidy of up to 50% of the total eligible transport costs incurred to a maximum (or combined total – where multiple trips apply) of $15,000 (GST exclusive) is available per farm business in 2019-20.

Applicants can apply for a combination of eligible transport activities to a total of no more than $15,000 (GST exclusive).

A maximum distance of 1,500 kilometres applies per movement, except for the movement of water for which the maximum distance per movement is 500 kilometres. If stock or fodder is moved a distance in excess of 1,500 kilometres, the subsidy is paid on 1,500 km.

Eligible applicants include primary producers who must:
- Have suffered the direct impact of the bushfires that commenced December 2019/January 2020.
- Be located in the local government areas of Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Indigo, Mansfield, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga have a right or interest in the land property affected by the bushfires (ownership or lease).
- Be classified as a primary producer.
- Be responsible for the cost of transport.
- Have re-established or intend to re-establish the primary production enterprise in the same area.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible activities include transport of:
- Emergency fodder for stock to fire-affected properties
- Stock to agistment including returning stock
- Stock to sale or slaughter
- Emergency stock drinking water

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of eligible activities.

Subsidies are not intended to replace the need for insurance or to provide compensation for loss of revenue:
- Any transport that has been covered by an insurance claim are not eligible for a subsidy.
- Any transport that is subsequently covered by an insurance claim is to be repaid.