Water in Demand as Drought Tightens Grip Across Southern Australia

Posted on 19 February 202619 February 2026

While floods, bushfires, and cyclones have dominated recent headlines, drought remains a pressing concern for farming families across Australia. Rural Aid has received a surge in requests for assistance, particularly for household drinking water – a daily necessity that has become increasingly scarce on drought-affected properties. In 2026, Rural Aid has seen a significant increase in requests for water and water tanks, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

Farmers across southern and eastern Australia are facing prolonged dry conditions. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), January rainfall was well below average, ranking among the driest 10% of Januarys on record since 1900, across most of Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and large parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland.
 
Victoria and New South Wales saw their lowest January rainfall totals since 2013 and 2014 respectively. Some water storages in the eastern and southern states have also declined by up to 50% compared to this time last year, adding to the daily challenges for farming families.
 
Looking ahead, rainfall is likely to be below average for much of the countries south, suggesting dry conditions may continue for farming families in these regions.
 
Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said, “For people in the city, it’s easy to take clean water from the tap for granted. But for hundreds of farming families in drought-affected regions, this simply isn’t the case. Access to reliable household water has become a daily challenge, and it affects every part of life on the farm.”
 
Rural Aid has been delivering water as on-farm stocks run low, providing household water to help manage daily routines and care for their families.
 
“Drought brings multiple pressures at once,” Mr Warlters said. “Even small support, like access to water tanks or wellbeing resources, can make a real difference.”
 
Rural Aid continues to provide practical assistance and wellbeing support to farmers affected by drought.
 
“Drought may not always make the headlines, but it hasn’t gone away,” Mr Warlters said. “We want farming families to know help is available and that Rural Aid is here to support them.”
 
Assistance is available now for farmers. Call 1300 327 624 or visit www.ruralaid.org.au. We’re here to help.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Ready to Support WA Farmers Following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell

Posted on 19 February 202619 February 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers across Western Australia’s southern regions to register for support following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell.

The system brought heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and widespread power outages across parts of Western Australia, including the Great Southern, Wheatbelt, and Goldfields regions. Many primary producers are now assessing impacts to sheds, fencing, machinery, crops, and livestock, while managing significant clean-up and repair work.
 
Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the cyclone had hit farming communities hard.
 
“As the remnants of ex-Tropical Cyclone Mitchell passed through, the heavy rain and damaging winds caused widespread disruption, leaving many southern farmers with major clean-up and repair work,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“Registering with Rural Aid ensures we can contact farmers quickly and provide the right support at the right time. Registration only takes a few minutes and gives our team the information needed to respond promptly if a farmer is affected.”
 
Rural Aid provides a broad range of free services to registered farmers, including:

• Financial assistance for immediate or unexpected expenses
• Professional counselling and wellbeing support for farmers and their families
• Hay for livestock during recovery periods
• Water deliveries for drinking and household needs
• Volunteer support through the Farm Army program to assist with on-ground recovery tasks

Farmers across the Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Pilbara, and Goldfields regions are encouraged to register with Rural Aid today at faa.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624 to ensure support can be delivered when it is needed most.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Ready to Help Fleurieu Peninsula Farmers After Bushfires

Posted on 2 February 20262 February 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula to register for support as a bushfire currently burning in the region continues to threaten farms, livestock and rural communities.

As fire conditions remain volatile, many producers are already facing uncertainty and potential losses, with damage expected to crops, fencing, sheds, livestock and other critical farm infrastructure. Early registration will allow assistance to be delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible once it is safe to do so.
 
Rural Aid is urging all primary producers in the affected area to ensure they are registered, even if damage has not yet occurred, so support can be mobilised without delay if circumstances change.
 
The charity is also calling on the broader community to support farmers impacted by the bushfire. Donations made through the Rural Aid website help ensure producers can access immediate relief, rebuild their operations, and continue contributing to Australia’s food and fibre supply.
 
Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the situation on the Fleurieu Peninsula is extremely concerning.
 
“This bushfire is fast-moving and unpredictable, and the impact on farming families could be significant,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“By registering with Rural Aid, farmers ensure we can contact them quickly and provide the right support at the right time. Registration only takes a few minutes and gives our team the information we need to respond effectively.”
 
Rural Aid provides a broad range of free services to registered farmers, including:

• Financial assistance for immediate or unexpected expenses
• Professional counselling and wellbeing support for farmers and their families
• Hay deliveries for livestock during recovery periods
• Water deliveries for drinking and household needs
• Volunteer assistance through the Farm Army program to help with on-ground recovery tasks

Farmers affected by the ongoing drought in parts of South Australia are also encouraged to register for support. Rural Aid is ready to help with essential services, providing practical assistance when it’s needed most.

Farmers are encouraged to register with Rural Aid today at faa.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624 to ensure support can be delivered when it is needed most.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Ready to Support WA Farmers After Recent Bushfires

Posted on 2 February 20262 February 2026

Leading rural charity Rural Aid is encouraging farmers across Western Australia’s Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions to register for support following recent bushfires that have caused widespread damage to farms and rural communities.

Many producers are now beginning clean-up and recovery efforts as they assess the impact on crops, livestock, fencing, sheds and other essential infrastructure. With volatile fire conditions possible in coming weeks, Rural Aid is urging all primary producers in affected areas to ensure they are registered so assistance can be delivered quickly when required.
 
Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said the damage already visible across the region highlights the need for early registration.
 
“These bushfires have been both destructive and fast-moving, and many farmers are only just starting to understand the full impact on their properties,” Mr Warlters said. “Being registered with Rural Aid ensures we can contact farmers quickly and provide the right support at the right time. Registration only takes a few minutes and gives our team the information needed to respond promptly if a farmer is affected.”
 
Rural Aid provides a broad range of free services to registered farmers, including:

• Financial assistance for immediate or unexpected expenses
• Professional counselling and wellbeing support for farmers and their families
• Hay deliveries for livestock during recovery periods
• Water deliveries for drinking and household needs
• Volunteer support through the Farm Army program to assist with on-ground recovery tasks

The charity is also calling on the broader community to support bushfire-affected farmers. Donations made through the Rural Aid website help ensure producers can access relief quickly, rebuild their farms, and continue supplying Australia’s food and fibre.
 
Farmers are encouraged to register with Rural Aid at faa.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624 to ensure support can be delivered when it is needed most.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Calls for Farmer Registrations as Disasters Escalate Nationwide

Posted on 23 January 202623 January 2026

Farmers across Australia – particularly those in disaster-impacted regions – are strongly encouraged to register with Rural Aid now, as ongoing natural disasters and worsening weather conditions continue to threaten rural communities.

Large areas of Victoria are currently battling bushfires, while North Queensland continues to experience flooding and cyclone impacts, and parts of New South Wales face storms, heavy rainfall and damaging winds. With further bad weather forecast for the weekend, conditions are expected to deteriorate in many regions, placing additional strain on farmers already under pressure.
 
Rural Aid is urging farmers to register immediately to ensure support can be delivered as quickly as possible when it is needed most.
 
“Disasters don’t wait, and neither should farmers,” Rural Aid Chief Executive Officer John Warlters said.
 
“Registering with Rural Aid now means we can act fast when conditions worsen, whether that’s financial relief, counselling, or delivering hay and water to farmers who need it most.”
 
Rural Aid is already responding in disaster-affected regions, providing direct financial assistance to farmers in north-west Queensland and Victoria to help cover urgent and unexpected expenses as they recover from floods, fires and severe weather events.
 
“Our teams are already working in disaster zones, supporting farmers who are exhausted, overwhelmed and facing enormous uncertainty,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“By registering early, farmers ensure critical support can be delivered as quickly as possible when disasters strike.”
 
Rural Aid provides free support to registered farmers and their families, including:

• Financial assistance for urgent and unexpected expenses
• Professional counselling and wellbeing support
• Hay deliveries to feed livestock
• Water deliveries for household needs
• Volunteer assistance through Farm Army and Farm Recovery Event programs

With severe weather forecast across multiple states this weekend — including dangerous fire conditions in Victoria and Western Australia and heavy rainfall and consequent flooding in parts of Queensland and New South Wales – Rural Aid is reinforcing the importance of early registration.
 
“Farmers are incredibly resilient, but they shouldn’t have to face disasters alone,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“We strongly encourage every farmer, especially those in high-risk areas, to register now so help can be mobilised immediately when it’s needed.”
 
Farmers should register for free immediately at faa.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.
 
Registering now ensures Rural Aid can act fast and deliver critical support as fires, floods and severe weather continue to impact rural Australia.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au