Overview
Stakeholder feedback is helping us to ensure Future Drought Fund (FDF) investment is fit-for-purpose and that farmers and regional communities are better equipped to prepare for future droughts and climate change.
Key points
The FDF helps farmers, and their communities prepare for future droughts and climate risk.
To ensure the FDF remains effective, a 4-year review cycle is in place.
Public consultation led by the independent Consultative Committee took place over 6 weeks, closing on 9 December 2023.
Your feedback matters. Your views have informed the next phase of FDF investment.
From 9 February 2024, new program funding decisions will be guided by a new principles-based framework – the Future Drought Fund (Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2024-2028) Determination 2024
The Future Drought Fund Investment Strategy was released on 22 January 2025. The Strategy provides a clear plan for drought resilience programs and activities.
FDF Funding and programs committed through the 2024-25 Budget.
How you had your say
We invited feedback on two draft documents that, when finalised, would guide investment in drought and climate resilience under the FDF. We held 22 discussions across Australia, with over 320 people who provided us with valuable feedback. We also received 87 written submissions and 71 responses to the online survey.
We heard from FDF participants and partners, industry, state and territory governments, professional advisors, research institutes, non-government organisations, farmers and people living in rural communities. Most respondents to the online survey were farmers and members of farming communities.
What you said
Stakeholders broadly endorsed the proposed approach for the next phase of the FDF. There was support for:
a high-level principles-based framework centred on economic, environmental and social resilience
a detailed and long-term plan for funding and activities
fewer, high value, integrated and sequenced programs to maximise impact
place-based partnerships to facilitate co-design, collaboration and alignment of activities that meet local needs
a people-centred approach with greater engagement, acknowledging stakeholder diversity
increasing engagement with First Nations peoples and communities
an ongoing commitment to public good outcomes
a balanced approach to driving change through new ideas and extension of tried and tested practices
prioritising knowledge sharing and monitoring, evaluation and learning
increasing preparedness and self-reliance.
Stakeholders were broadly supportive of the draft Drought Resilience Funding Plan (2024-2028) and the draft Future Drought Fund Investment Strategy, which set out proposed investment priorities and key features of new programs. Agreed investment priorities included:
place-based action and partnerships
information, skills, and capacity building
agricultural landscape management
innovation and transformation
enabling activities.
Learn more about stakeholder feedback. You can download:
What happens next
Informed by the 2023 Productivity Commission Inquiry and stakeholder feedback, the Future Drought Fund (Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2024-2028) Determination 2024 will guide all funding decisions under the FDF from 9 February 2024.
The Future Drought Fund Investment Strategy was released on 22 January 2025. The Strategy, provides information about the operation of the Fund and focus areas of investment over the 4-year funding cycle. The Investment Strategy is intended to assist stakeholders, including FDF delivery partners and beneficiaries, to better understand the nature and timing of investment opportunities over the next funding cycle and plan their engagement accordingly.
Opportunities to engage with programs will be announced from 1 July 2024. Approximate timing of these opportunities is outlined in the Investment Strategy.
Stay connected to receive updates on the upcoming new phase of FDF investment.
Background
FDF design and review processes
Program design and spending are guided by a 4-year Drought Resilience Funding Plan. Drought Resilience Funding Plans are subject to a legislated review point, including:
Productivity Commission review
Public consultation on draft funding plan
Advice from an independent, expert-based Consultative Committee on draft funding plan and proposed program design.
The Regional Investment Corporation Board ensures that, before grants and arrangements are entered into, they align with the Drought Resilience Funding Plan.
The Future Drought Fund’s First Nations Advisory Group provides advice on including First Nations’ perspectives on drought policy and FDF program design and implementation.