Following the January 2026 Victorian bushfires, a wide range of recovery programs and support services have been activated to assist affected communities, primary producers, agribusinesses, and regional enterprises.

For farmers - including olive growers - bushfire recovery extends beyond immediate clean-up. It may involve infrastructure replacement, water access, livestock feed, land rehabilitation, environmental compliance, mental health support, and business continuity planning.

The resources below provide access to official grants, financial assistance programs, and practical recovery guidance.

Financial Assistance and Recovery Grants

Primary producers and rural businesses may be eligible for grants, concessional loans, and recovery funding through the following agencies:

• Rural Finance - Concessional loans and financial recovery programs https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/
• Victorian Government - January 2026 Bushfires Information Portal https://www.vic.gov.au/january-2026-victorian-bushfires
  
• Emergency Recovery Victoria - https://www.vic.gov.au/emergency-recovery-victoria
  
• Emergency Recovery Support Program -  https://www.vic.gov.au/emergency-recovery-support-program
  
• Australian Government - Disaster Assist https://www.disasterassist.gov.au

Farm Management and Agricultural Recovery Support

These resources provide direct guidance for farmers managing post-bushfire recovery:

• Agriculture Victoria - What to Do After a Bushfire https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/what-to-do-after-a-bushfire
• Victorian Farmers Federation - Emergency Fodder Program https://www.vff.org.au/vff-emergency-fodder-program/
  
• Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) - https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/
  
• Forest Fire Management Victoria - Public Land Recovery https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/recovery-after-an-emergency/public-land-recovery
  

Water, Environmental, and Infrastructure Support

Access to safe water and environmental guidance is critical during bushfire recovery:

• Emergency Drinking Water Support (Victoria) -  https://www.water.vic.gov.au/about-us/news/news-stories/emergency-relief-drinking-water-2026
• EPA Victoria - Environmental Health Guidance https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/floodwater-and-your-health
  

Business Recovery and Community Support Services

Recovery also includes mental health, wellbeing, and business resilience support:

• Business Victoria - Recovering from a Bushfire https://business.vic.gov.au/business-information/disaster-resilience/how-to-recover/recovering-from-a-bushfire
• Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - Relief and Recovery https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/relief-and-recovery-after-emergencies-and-disasters
  
• Better Health Victoria - Emergency and Crisis Support Services https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/servicesandsupport/emergency-crisis-and-support-services
  
• Victoria State Emergency Service - Recovery Information https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/recovery
  

Important for Farmers and Olive Growers

These links are directly relevant to farmers and primary producers. They provide access to financial recovery programs, concessional loans, fodder supply assistance, emergency drinking water support, farm management guidance, environmental compliance information, mental health services, and business continuity planning resources.

Primary producers are encouraged to review the relevant portals carefully and register for updates where applicable, as eligibility criteria and program availability may vary depending on declared impact zones and assessment outcomes.