Queensland Drought Preparedness Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The Queensland Drought Preparedness Program provides grants to primary producers. The intent is to help them fund on-farm capital improvements. These improvements are designed to increase a property’s resilience to drought. The program provides co-funding to offset the cost of new permanent capital infrastructure.

The broader role of the grant is to help primary producers be better prepared for drought events. It shifts the focus from reactive assistance to proactive resilience building. The grants are a key part of the Queensland Government’s new drought strategy.

This grant is part of a larger government initiative to support the agricultural sector. The program aims to ensure farm businesses can continue to operate and recover from drought conditions. This helps to secure the future of Queensland’s primary production.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Up to $50,000 per project.
• Application open and close dates: The scheme closed for applications on 16 June 2025. A new funding round is expected to open in the 2025-26 financial year.
• Eligible industries or business types: Primary producers. This includes agricultural, apicultural, aquacultural, forestry, grazing, and horticultural businesses.
• Required co-contributions: The grant covers 25 per cent of eligible project costs. Applicants must contribute the remaining 75 per cent.
• Location/state/territory applicability: The grant is for primary producers in Queensland.

Priority Sectors

The grant is open to a broad range of primary production sectors. It focuses on businesses that are vulnerable to drought. This includes the agricultural, grazing, and horticultural industries.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum amounts per stream: The maximum grant amount is $50,000. The maximum cumulative amount is $50,000 over five years. The minimum grant amount is $1,000.
• Categories or streams of funding: Funding is for on-farm capital improvements.
• Project timeline or eligible funding duration: Projects must be completed and funds drawn within six months of the grant offer.

Grant Amount in Total

The total funding pool for the scheme has been exhausted for the current round. The government has allocated $22 million over four years to support drought preparedness.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business structure or size: Sole traders, partnerships, proprietary companies, and trusts that are primary producers.
• Registered business location: Businesses must operate a primary production enterprise in Queensland.
• ABN/GST status: An ABN is required.
• Other key requirements: The applicant must have a Farm Business Resilience Plan. The project must be a drought preparedness activity listed in the plan.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Queensland Drought Preparedness Program (QDPP) grant supports new permanent capital infrastructure. Eligible expenses include:

• Pipes, water tanks, and water troughs.
• Dam construction or expansion.
• Drilling new bores.
• More efficient irrigation systems.
• Storage and feeding equipment for grain, fodder, and other supplements.

Assessment Process

Queensland Drought Preparedness Program is competitive and assessed by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA). Applications are assessed in order of receipt. Key criteria include:

• The project must improve drought resilience.
• The project must be listed in a Farm Business Resilience Plan.
• The project must not have started before the application is approved.

Recent Program Updates

The Drought Preparedness Grants scheme closed for applications on 16 June 2025 as funding for the current round was exhausted. The Queensland Government has announced a new funding round to open in the 2025-26 financial year.

Application Tips

• You must have a Farm Business Resilience Plan before you apply.
• Get quotes for your proposed infrastructure investment.
• Submit your application to QRIDA.
• Do not start the project until your application is approved.

Where to Get Help

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 the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) website for guidelines, templates, and further guidance.