Farmers across south west Victoria who’ve been battling through some of the driest conditions in living memory can now sign up for the Drought Employment Program, through the Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite Catchment Management Authorities.
As part of the $144 million total support package, developed through the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce, $1 million is available for the Catchment Management Authority-led Drought Employment Program in the south-west, where drought conditions have been the most severe over a long period of time.
The Drought Employment Program will support those looking to access off-farm income while conditions are difficult, bringing forward essential local environmental and waterway improvement works at priority sites.
In previous years the Drought Employment Program has been a well-received option for farmers and farm workers to earn an income, increase their skills and build confidence by undertaking a range of different catchment health works, like fencing, pest and weed control, revegetation and water quality monitoring.
The program will be available for farmers or farm-dependent workers from 12 local government areas in south-west Victoria including Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong and southern parts of West Wimmera.
Eligible local farmers and farm workers can now express interest in being part of the program ahead of a selection process and starting work through Glenelg Hopkins CMA and Corangamite CMA.
This is just one of the many programs being provided by the Victorian Government’s comprehensive Drought Support Package, which recognises the range of experiences across the state, delivers support where it’s needed and builds capacity to manage drought both now and in the future.
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available to drought impacted farmers visit Agriculture Victoria or phone 136 186.
Page last updated: 13/08/25