Victorian primary producers will receive direct financial relief through a new Duties and Fees Relief Package aimed at easing pressures caused by drought.
More than $10 million in savings will be delivered across the state to help farmers manage costs and improve cash flow over the next financial year.
Key Measures in the Relief Package:
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Livestock duties waived – Duties on the sale of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs will be waived until 30 September 2026.
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NLIS tag fees reduced – Farmers will not pay the standard order processing fee for NLIS tags until 30 June 2026, though the tag cost itself still applies.
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Other livestock fees frozen – Fees will remain at 2024/25 levels.
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Beekeeper support – Hive registration fees are waived until 30 September 2027.
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Dairy licence fee discount – A discount will be applied to 2025/26 dairy licence fees, with refunds passed on in milk payments through manufacturers.
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PrimeSafe relief payments – Eligible drought-affected primary producers holding both a PrimeSafe Licence and a Property Identification Code (PIC) will receive direct payments.
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Nursery and horticulture producers – Certain plant biosecurity fees are waived for 2025/26, with others capped at 2024/25 levels.
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Food safety registration fees – Waived for crop and horticulture producers in 12 south-west Local Government Areas most affected by drought. For other producers, fees will remain capped at last year’s levels.
Broader Support
These measures form part of a wider drought assistance package designed to support Victorian farmers, protect local food supply chains, and help maintain jobs and community resilience during difficult seasonal conditions.
For full details on the package, including the specific duties and fees covered, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
