Support & Resources
Dairy farmers across Australia are facing unprecedented challenges due to drought, floods, and financial pressures.
You are not alone. Support is available.
Photo: Josh and Andrew Cavill - Chair of DairySA
Whether you need someone to talk to, financial advice, or tools to manage stress, this page connects you with immediate, trusted help.
State Resources - Start here
National Resources
Funding Support
Education & Awareness
Crisis Support
Messages from our DairySA Chair
Andrew’s been where you are. Here’s some of his messages:
State Resources
South Australia
- Rural Aid: Mental Health & Counselling: Offers mental health and wellbeing support, including counselling services and community-based programs.
- National Centre for Farmer Health: Provides resources and support for the mental and physical health of farmers across Australia.
- Head to Health: An Australian Government initiative providing trusted mental health resources, support lines, and treatment options – all in one place. Great for finding low-cost or free support, especially in regional areas.
- ifarmwell – Farmer-friendly wellbeing resources: Provides financial assistance, food hampers, care packs, and mental wellbeing support to primary producers affected by natural disasters.
- Rural Financial Counselling Service: Provides financial assistance, food hampers, care packs, and mental wellbeing support to primary producers affected by natural disasters.
- Regional Access: Offers free, 24/7 professional phone and online counselling for individuals aged 15+ in regional South Australia. Call 1300 032 186.
- Mental Health Services SA: SA Health has a comprehensive range of public mental health services in SA. There is also a broad network of non-government organisations that provide many important mental health services with assistance from the South Australian government.
- Royal Flying Doctor Service:
Face-to-face, phone or video appointments for mental health support for anyone living in remote areas. Not a crisis service. For emergencies call 1800 733 772 or 08 8648 9500, or email them at: portaugusta.wellbeing@flyingdoctor.net
- Standby Support After Suicide:
Free telephone support and downloadable resources for people impacted by suicide, including toolkits, grief guides and community training. Call 1300 727 247.
- Disasters and mental health support for community members:
After a disaster or major incident, it’s common to feel stress and grief and individuals, families and communities will respond and recover in different ways. Some people will recover without formal help, others may need extra support to help get life back on track or provide guidance and support for children, family members and friends.
- Rural Business Support:
Rural Business Support (RBS) is an organisation committed to building a profitable, sustainable and resilient rural sector by supporting businesses, farmers, landowners and communities in rural and regional South Australia.
- South Australian assistance guide for primary producers:
This guide provides information on assistance and services that are always available based on need.
National Support
- Rural Aid: Mental Health & Counselling: Offers mental health and wellbeing support, including counselling services and community-based programs.
- National Centre for Farmer Health: Provides resources and support for the mental and physical health of farmers across Australia.
- Head to Health: An Australian Government initiative providing trusted mental health resources, support lines, and treatment options – all in one place. Great for finding low-cost or free support, especially in regional areas.
- Farm Angels: Provides financial assistance, food hampers, care packs, and mental wellbeing support to primary producers affected by natural disasters.
- Aussie Helpers: They provide immediate help—wherever, whenever and however—farmers and farming communities need it.
- Aussie Hay Runners: Supporting farmers affected by natural disasters. They transport donated hay to those affected by flood, bushfire and extreme weather events.
- BlazeAid Australia: BlazeAid is volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires, cyclones, droughts and floods.
Funding Support
- Relief Fund – Rural Business Support: The SA Government Rural Support Grant, administered by the Rural Business Support Relief Fund, provides up to $1,500 in practical financial assistance to eligible South Australian primary producers and rural small business owners who are facing, or at risk of, financial hardship due to impacts of Drought.
- On-farm Drought Infrastructure Rebate Scheme – PIRSA: The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Rebate Scheme is for primary producers to implement infrastructure projects that assist with managing current drought conditions and strengthen preparedness for future droughts.
Educational and Awareness Resources
- Harvesting Change – Rural Mental Health Handbook
A resource connecting farmers to available services, teaching self-care tips, and strategies for creating mentally healthy workplaces on farms. - Making Our Farmers Safer
- ifarmwell – Farmer-friendly wellbeing resources: A free, online toolkit created by Aussie farmers and psychologists to help you stay mentally fit, even when times are tough. Practical, private, and tailored to farm life.
- Beyond Blue: Online Wellbeing Tools
- Farm Life Handbook:
Your own digital paddock of practical tools: for noticing, reflecting, and acting with purpose. Anytime, anywhere.
In Crisis
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 (Mental health support)
- Suicide Callback Service – 1300 659 467 (Free counselling)
- Mental Health Emergency? Call 000 or visit your local hospital
You're Not Alone
If you’re struggling, help is available. Talk to a mate, a neighbour, or reach out to a support service. Your wellbeing matters — to your family, your community, and to us.
Need to Talk?
“A conversation can change a life. Even yours.”
Call 13 11 14 or visit Lifeline for 24/7 confidential support.