QLD Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) was a program to help primary producers. Its purpose was to assist farmers in Queensland with drought-declared properties. The scheme provided subsidies and rebates. These were for managing the welfare of livestock during and after drought.

The broader role of DRAS was to provide reactive drought assistance. It offered help with a narrow range of activities. The scheme has now been phased out. It has been replaced by the Queensland Drought Preparedness Program.

The new program focuses on preparing businesses for drought. It aims to build resilience. This is a shift from assisting only after a drought is declared.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: DRAS provided subsidies and rebates of $20,000 to $50,000 per property. This varied based on the drought’s length.
• Application open and close dates: The DRAS program has ceased. There are no new application dates. The new Queensland Drought Preparedness Program is open regardless of a drought declaration.
• Eligible industries or business types: Primary producers. This includes the grazing industry with beef cattle, sheep, dairy cattle, goats, deer, or horses.
• Required co-contributions: The Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate was a co-contribution grant. It provided a 25 per cent rebate on new permanent capital infrastructure.
• Location/state/territory applicability: The scheme was for properties in a drought-declared area of Queensland.

Priority Sectors

The scheme was specific to the grazing industry.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream: The maximum amount was a cumulative $50,000 over five years. The initial limit was $20,000 per property per financial year.
• Categories or streams of funding: Funding was provided as freight subsidies and rebates. This included subsidies for fodder, water, and livestock transport. It also included rebates for emergency water infrastructure.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: The grant was available for up to six months after the date of an invoice.

Grant Amount in Total

The total funding for the DRAS program is not specified.

Eligibility Criteria of DRAS

• Business structure or size: You must be a primary producer.
• Registered business location: The property must be in a drought-declared area of Queensland.
• Minimum/maximum turnover: You must spend more than 50 per cent of your labour and derive more than 50 per cent of your gross income from the farm.
• ABN/GST status: An ABN is required.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant supported the following activities and expenses:

• Transporting fodder, water, and livestock.
• Purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure.

Assessment Process

This was an entitlement-based scheme. Once the eligibility criteria were met, applicants could receive the subsidies and rebates.

Recent Program Updates

The Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) has been replaced by the Queensland Drought Preparedness Program. The new program is available to primary producers with or without a drought declaration. Freight subsidies for fodder, water, and livestock are no longer available if a property is drought-declared after 1 April 2022.

Application Tips

• The DRAS program is no longer active.
• The new program focuses on preparedness.
• Check out the new Queensland Drought Preparedness Program. It offers grants and loans for on-farm improvements. This can help with future drought events.

Where to Get Help for Drought Relief Assistance Scheme

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist like Pattens Group. We offer initial assessments to review your business’s eligibility and evaluate how well your project aligns with the grant’s objectives. You can also visit relevant government websites for application templates and further guidance.