On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants Available

The Victorian Government is providing practical support to farmers in south west Victoria impacted by drought with grants for farm upgrades that will provide short term benefits and build future resilience.

A $13.53 million Drought Support Package was announced by the Premier and Agriculture Minister on 30 September 2024.

The package includes $12.1 million for grants to help farmers prepare their properties for ongoing drought and dry seasonal conditions.

The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants Program provides financial assistance to farmers to strengthen drought preparedness and the longer-term viability of their farm businesses.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available. A dollar-for-dollar co-contribution is required by the grant recipient. The grant program is being administered by Rural Finance on behalf of the Victorian Government. Applications will be processed in order of receipt and the program will close when all funds are allocated.

Eligible farmers can apply for grants for on-farm improvements including water infrastructure upgrades, stock containment areas, grain and fodder storage and drought management tools such as soil moisture monitors and weather stations.

A full list of eligible activities is available in the program guidelines.

To apply visit ruralfinance.com.au or call 1800 260 425 during business hours.

For more information on drought support available visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons, email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au, or call 136 186.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Making Electronic Signing Easier for You

By Cogger Gurry • August 29, 2025

We’re excited to share that we’ve upgraded our client signing experience—now powered by FuseSign! This intuitive, secure platform lets you sign documents in minutes (not days), straight from any device, and is simple to use. There’s no need to download apps or remember passwords - just click the link, review your documents, and sign. With industry-leading security and a smooth, hassle-free process, signing important documents has never been faster or easier. You can find out more about FuseSign Here

Understanding The 20% HECS-HELP Debt Reduction

By Cogger Gurry • August 29, 2025

As part of its re-election commitment, the Federal Government has passed legislation to reduce all outstanding HECS-HELP debts by 20%. The Bill passed the Senate on 31 July 2025 and will come into effect once it receives Royal Assent. The reduction will be applied retrospectively to student loan balances held as at 1 June 2025. While many borrowers have recently seen their loan balances increase due to the 3.2% annual indexation, the Government has confirmed that the 20% discount will be calculated based on the loan amount before indexation was applied. How the Reduction Will Work: Once the legislation is in effect, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will automatically apply the 20% reduction to eligible student loan accounts. Indexation will also be recalculated using the reduced loan balance, delivering further relief for borrowers. This change builds on previous reforms that now link indexation to the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or Wage Price Index (WPI), rather than CPI alone, an approach designed to ease the financial pressure on graduates. Lodging Your Tax Return: If you’re getting ready to lodge your tax return, you don’t need to delay. The ATO will automatically apply the discount in the coming months. If you’ve fully repaid your student loan since 1 June 2025, you may be eligible for a refund equivalent to the 20% discount (subject to any other outstanding tax liabilities). Other Changes to Student Loan Repayments: The legislation also introduces changes to repayment thresholds. From 1 July 2025, the minimum income threshold for compulsory student loan repayments will increase from $54,435 to $67,000, making repayments more equitable. If you have any questions about how these changes may affect you or your tax return, please get in touch with CoggerGurry today, we’re here to help. Tel: 03 5571 0111

Division 296 Tax Update

By Cogger Gurry • August 29, 2025

Parliament has resumed, and we are watching closely for the introduction of the Division 296 tax Bill to the lower house. While the Government is managing a number of priorities, the extra time provides us with the opportunity to continue planning with clients who may be affected and to ensure we are ready when the legislation is finalised. Although no update has been given on whether the 1 July 2025 start date will be deferred, we’ll keep you informed as soon as there is more clarity. In the meantime, rest assured that we are monitoring developments carefully and will provide guidance and advice as soon as the position becomes clearer.