Emergency Drought Transport Subsidy

The Drought Transport Subsidy is available to farmers in NSW who own and operate a farm business and can be applied to; the cost of transporting fodder, water to a property for stock or domestic use, stock to and from agistment, and stock to sale or slaughter. Download the Guidelines PDF, 310.87 KB for full details of eligibility (sections 3-4) and what you can claim (sections 5 -9).

To receive payment, you will need your bank account details.

For each claim you need a scanned copy of the following documents:

• Most recent Local Land Service (LLS) rates notice
• Tax Invoice for each movement

And, for private vehicles only:

• Vehicle registration papers
• Log book entries
• Travelling stock statement

The online application form has been designed to make the process as simple as possible. We recommend that you have all scanned documents ready to upload before starting the process. We recommend that you use the Google Chrome browser.

If you prefer to download a hard copy of the form, download the manual form and all attachments relevant to the transport costs you are claiming.

You will need:

• BP reference number
• ABN number
• Case number from original application
• Invoices

The NSW Government understands that farmers who did not apply for drought transport subsidies last financial year may now wish to do so, given the pressures associated with the ongoing drought and the challenging seasonal forecast.

To accommodate this, new applicants for drought transport subsidies will be able to include invoices dated 1 Jan 2018 - 30 June 2019 in the current year subsidy cap.

Invoices dated 1 Jan 2018 - 30 June 2019

• If you have not yet applied for drought transport subsidies, you can now apply and include these invoices under your 2019-20 subsidy cap.
• If you applied for drought transport subsidies before 30 June 2019, you must submit these invoices by 30 September for inclusion under your 2018-19 subsidy cap. (Invoices received after this date are not valid for subsidies).

Invoices dated 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020

• These invoices will be included under the 2019-20 subsidy cap for existing and new applicants.

Note: A distance limit of 1,500km applies to all Drought Transport Subsidy claims with invoices dated from 1 Jan 2018 - 30 June 2019. No distance limit applies to claims with invoices dated after 1 July 2019.

Can I still put in an application for a drought transport subsidy for 1 Jan 2018 to 30 June 2019?

Yes, farmers who did not submit an application for a subsidy to cover the costs of transporting fodder and water and stock to or from agistment, between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2019, can now claim up to $40,000 per farm business for that period.

The following guidelines for journeys completed between 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2019 apply:

• The subsidy covers up to 50% of the full cost of freight
• You can claim up to $5 per kilometre (+GST)
• The maximum distance of any single journey is 1,500 kilometres
• Journeys must have been completed between 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2019.

The below table outlines when a farmer can apply for a drought transport subsidy and the eligibility criteria.

If you have more questions about the Emergency Drought Transport subsidy scheme, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.

NSW Government staff are available across the state to assist you to lodge the Drought Transport Subsidy forms. Visit the Assistance Near You map, search your postcode and find a participating office in your area. Please call to make an appointment as not all offices are attended during normal business hours.

Visit Drought Hub for more information on the full range of drought assistance available to NSW farmers.