Australian government drought assistance

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry page which includes links to information on drought assistance measures available and the areas eligible for full and interim exceptional circumstances assistance.

http://www.daff.gov.au/droughtassist

Mobile service centres

Mobile service centres travel to rural and regional communities to provide people with information and access to government services.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/mobile-service-centres

Commonwealth scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program (CSP) assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas, with costs associated with higher education.

http://www.innovation.gov.au/HigherEducation/StudentSupport/CommonwealthScholarships/Pages/default.aspx

Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport

The Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport is responsible for regional Australia policy and co-ordination; the delivery of regional and rural specific services; regional development; matters relating to local government; the administration of Australian territories; arts and sport.

http://www.regional.gov.au/

Drought assistance

Payments and services for drought-affected communities, farmers, small businesses, farm hands and irrigators. There are payments to help you during Exceptional Circumstances, and also payments to help if your area is likely to become an Exceptional Circumstances declared area.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/drought-assistance

Myregion

myregion is designed to provide information based on Australia’s 55 Regional Development Australia regions and the three external territories of Christmas Island, Norfolk Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands.It provides opportunities for people to hold discussions within their communities and with all levels of government that help inform regional policies and national solutions.

http://myregion.gov.au/

Rural and remote Australians

If you live in a rural or regional part of Australia, there is a range of options available to make it easier to access government services, payments and support.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/subjects/rural-and-remote-locations#Accessingservicesinaruralorregionallocation

Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Program helps primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses who are suffering financial hardship and who have no alternative sources of impartial support.

http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/rfcs