The Drought Relief Loan is available to eligible sole traders, partnerships, trusts or private companies who operate in the primary production sector in NSW.

To be eligible, applicants must earn at least 50% of gross income or at least $75,000 in one year from the primary production business.

Please refer to the program guidelines for further details.

Program Guidelines

Drought Relief Loans can be used to purchase a broad range of products, activities and services, including:

• animal welfare
• on-farm infrastructure
• environmental improvements.

Please refer to the program guidelines for further details.

Program Guidelines

Amount:

Up to $100,000, with an upfront payment of up to $25,000

Interest rate:

The current interest rate on Drought Relief Loans is 4.89% per annum, fixed.

The interest rate is indexed to NSW Treasury Corporation bond rates, which can vary from month-to-month. The interest rate that applies to the loan is set on the day it is drawn down and remains fixed for the life of the loan.

Security:

Not required

Drawdown period:

6 months

Repayment term:

5 years

Repayment frequency:

Monthly or quarterly, by agreement with the RAA

Please refer to the program guidelines for further details.

Program Guidelines

When you submit an application, you will need to provide copies of the following documents:

• Most recent tax returns and financial statements for the primary production enterprise (including profit and loss, balance sheets, stock trading accounts and depreciation schedules)
• Most recent individual tax returns for all members (TFNs removed), plus a current list of assets and liabilities for each director, shareholder, partner or trustee
• Most recent tax returns and financial statements for any related business entities (if applicable)
• LGA rates notice and LLS rates notice (if available)
• Trust deed (if applicable)
• 12‑month monthly cash flow budget
• Bank details confirmation (for example, the front page of a bank statement showing account name, BSB and account number)

Please refer to the program guidelines for further details.

Program Guidelines

Before you start your application:

Please ensure you have read and understood the program guidelines. The version of the guidelines that applies to you is the one published on the date you submit your application. For your records, we recommend you download and save or print a copy of the program guidelines.

Program Guidelines

The online application form is designed to make the process as straightforward as possible. To ensure a smooth application submission, we recommend:

• having all required documents scanned and ready to upload
• using Google Chrome on a computer or laptop.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted through the RAA’s online portal.

If you don’t already have an RAA Account, you will need to create one before you can access the portal. You can find step‑by‑step instructions for setting up an account on the RAA Portal page.

Start your application

When you’re ready, log in to the RAA Portal to start your application:

Log In to Apply

Once your application has been approved, you can submit claims for eligible expenses through the RAA Portal.

All invoices must be submitted within six months of your application approval date. Claims are assessed based on the GST‑exclusive amount of eligible invoices.

Before you start your claim

To ensure a smooth submission process, we recommend:

How to submit your claim

All claims must be submitted through the RAA Portal.

If you don’t already have an RAA Account, you will need to create one before you can access the portal. You can find step‑by‑step instructions for setting up an account on the RAA Portal page.

To submit your claim:

1. Log In to the RAA Portal.
2. Go to the Claims tab.
3. Select Make a Claim.
4. Have the following ready:
   • your RAA financial account number or your application contract number
   • tax invoices for all eligible expenses.

Start your claim

When you’re ready, log in to the RAA Portal to start your claim:

Log In to Claim

Additional information about the Drought Relief Loan can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions webpage:

Frequently asked questions

The NSW Drought Hub brings together all measures the NSW Government is delivering to support farmers impacted by drought, as well as those planning for future dry periods.

Visit the site for the latest updates on drought conditions, along with practical tools, resources, and links to support services.

Visit NSW Drought Hub

If you have any questions about this program you can contact our team:

Phone: 1800 678 593
Email: rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au

If you need help interpreting the program guidelines or completing the application form, you may wish to seek assistance from a rural/financial counsellor, business advisor, accountant or a trusted family member or friend.

Language service

If you need assistance with interpreting or translating, please contact Multicultural NSW:

Phone: 1300 651 500
Email: languageservices@multicultural.nsw.gov.au

Rural Financial Counselling Service

Free and confidential support is available from your local Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS). For more information, visit the RFCS website or contact the service in your region:

Northern region: 1800 344 090
Southern and Central region: 1800 319 458