Information, services and yourÂ
backbone of support DIRECTORYÂ
At NEX, we are your trusted partner in preparing for, navigating through, and recovering from crisis. This directory connects you to practical support and essential services across the Gippsland region. Whether you're facing immediate challenges or planning for the future, our experienced team is here to walk alongside you, because your resilience is our priority.
Current – Bushfire Support Assistance for Victorians
The Victorian and Australian Governments, along with industry and community organisations, are providing emergency relief and recovery support for individuals, farmers and small businesses impacted by the January 2026 bushfires across Victoria, including Gippsland. On Wednesday 14 January 2026 the Premier announced new recovery measures. Media release can be found here: New Recovery Measures For Fire-Affected Communities | Premier
VFF Emergency Fodder Support Program
vff.org.au/vff-emergency-fodder-program/Â
Available for farmers needing fodder support, offering fodder, or seeking agistment following bushfire.
Phone: 1300 882 833
Need for Feed
Agriculture Victoria
agriculture.vic.gov.auÂ
Information for impacted farmers including livestock welfare, emergency management advice, damage and loss reporting, and recovery guidance following bushfire.
Farmers and primary producers are encouraged to activate their post-fire recovery plans and take steps to manage livestock needs as soon as possible. The Agriculture Victoria Bushfire webpage offers practical information.
Details on financial support options: agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/bushfires/available-bushfire-financial-assistance including:
- Wide range of ongoing support options
- Recently announced Primary Producer Recovery Grants (of up to $75,000 for eligible primary producers, to help cover the costs of clean-up and reinstating their enterprises).
VicEmergency – Relief and Recovery
emergency.vic.gov.au
Information on emergency relief centres, financial assistance, accommodation support and recovery services.
VicEmergency Hotline: 1800 226 226
Victorian GovernmentÂ
vic.gov.au/january-2026-victorian-bushfires
Recovery support for people and communities affected by the Victorian fires that started on 7 January 2026 including emergency relief payments for people who were required to evacuate or whose primary residence has been damaged or destroyed.
Australian Government Disaster Payments
servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasters
Disaster Recovery Payments and Allowances for eligible individuals affected by the Victorian Bushfires (January 2026). Access via Services Australia or myGov at my.gov.auÂ
DisasterAssist
disasterassist.gov.auÂ
A central hub listing available Australian Government disaster assistance.
Emergency Recovery Victoria
vic.gov.au/emergency-recovery-victoriaÂ
State-coordinated recovery support delivered in partnership with local councils and community recovery officers.
Prolonged Power Outage Payments
Eligible households who have been without power for 7 or more days within a 2-week period will receive $2,380 per week for up to 3 weeks, helping families manage during this challenging time.
Applications can be made through electricity distribution businesses, with full details available at energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages.
Loss and Damages Assessment Form
If fires have affected your property – including dead or injured animals, crop loss or damage, or fodder and water needs – you can report it online. This information will help us direct recovery efforts. Click here to complete the form.
Wellbeing Support:Â DETECT & PROTECT
1300 045 747Â |Â nexsolutions.org.au/wellness-support
NEX Business Farming Wellness delivers a program of support for farming families and clients.
For other wellbeing supports, see the Wellbeing & Mental Health tab below.
Need help applying or unsure what you’re eligible for?
NEX can help. We’re committed to delivering valuable support to farming and small business communities.
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2025/2026 – Drought Assistance for Victorian Farmers
The Victorian Government is providing direct drought support of $69 million for farmers across Victoria impacted by drought conditions. Drought-affected farmers are encouraged to apply for an On-Farm Drought Infrastructure grant, with updated guidelines now released. Â
Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for information on:
- Drought Support | agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought
- Seasonal climate updates | The Break newsletters
- Farm Business Resilience ProgramÂ
- Feeding Livestock has information, tools and resources for managing challenging seasonal conditions. The online Resource Directory has a full list of contacts for support programs and wellbeing services.
Rural Aid
1300 327 624 | ruralaid.org.au
Available for fodder drops, water, mental health counselling and emergency financial support.
Need help applying or unsure what you’re eligible for?
NEX can help. We’re committed to delivering valuable support to farming and small business communities.
Disasters & Recovery
Agriculture Victoria
1800 226 226 | agriculture.vic.gov.au
Provides technical support and recovery assistance for farmers affected by natural disasters.
Aussie Helpers
1300 665 232Â |Â aussiehelpers.org.au
Supports farming families through food hampers, mental health services and volunteer assistance.
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
1300 475 170 | services.dffh.vic.gov.au
Coordinates emergency financial assistance and recovery services for Victorian individuals and families in crisis.
Emergency Recovery Victoria
1800 560 760 | vic.gov.au
Connects individuals, families and communities to rebuild and recover after emergencies.
Farm Army
farmarmy.com.au
Connects volunteers with farmers needing extra help with farm work or recovery efforts.
Farm Household Allowance
132 316 | servicesaustralia.gov.au
Provides financial support to eligible farming families facing hardship.
Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF)
(03) 5174 8655 | gerf.org.au
Provides emergency financial assistance to Gippsland residents after natural disasters.
NEX Business Farming Wellness
1300 450 747 |Â nexsolutions.org.au/rfcs
RFCS program providers. Services provided under the program are free of charge for eligible clients.  Â
Rural Aid
1300 327 624 | ruralaid.org.au
Delivers fodder, water, mental health support and financial aid to rural communities.
Services Australia – Natural Disaster Support
180 22 66 | servicesaustralia.gov.au
Offers financial assistance and disaster recovery payments for eligible people.
Business Operations & Employment
Apprenticeship Support Australia
1300 363 831 | apprenticeshipsupport.com.au
Helps employers and apprentices with recruitment, training and navigating the apprenticeship system.
At Work Australia
1300 080 856 | atworkaustralia.com.au
Supports job seekers living with disability, injury or illness to find sustainable employment.
AusIndustry
13 28 46 | business.gov.au/ausindustry
Provides government programs, advice and support for businesses at every stage of growth.
Australian Business Volunteers
(02) 6151 9999Â |Â abv.org.au
Offers skilled volunteering and mentoring programs to build business resilience in regional communities.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(02) 6270 8000Â |Â australianchamber.com.au
National voice for Australian businesses, supporting growth through policy, advocacy and resources.
Jobs Victoria
1300 208 575 | jobs.vic.gov.au
Offers employment services, wage subsidies and job matching for Victorian jobseekers.
TAFE Gippsland
1300 133 717 | tafegippsland.edu.au
Delivers vocational education and skills training across Gippsland.
Workways
1800 631 196 | workways.com.au
Provides employment, recruitment and training services across regional communities.
Legal Compliance & Insurance
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
1300 302 502 | accc.gov.au
Protects consumer rights, business competition and product safety.
Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
1800 931 678 | afca.org.au
Resolves disputes between consumers and financial services providers like banks and insurers.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
1300 300 630 | asic.gov.au
Regulates company, financial services and superannuation industries to protect consumers and investors.
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
1300 650 460 | asbfeo.gov.au
Advocates for small businesses and assists with dispute resolution and navigating regulation.
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
13 28 66 | ato.gov.au
Manages taxes, superannuation and business registrations. Offers resources and tools for small businesses.
Fair Work Ombudsman
13 13 94 | fairwork.gov.au
Provides information on workplace rights, entitlements and employer obligations.
Insurance Council of Australia
1300 728 228 | insurancecouncil.com.au
Offers guidance on general insurance issues and disaster-related insurance support.
State Revenue Office Victoria
13 21 61 | sro.vic.gov.au
Administers Victorian taxes, duties and grants including land tax and payroll tax.
Primary Production Support
Agriculture Victoria – Climate Services
1800 226 226 | agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate
Provides localised climate outlooks and tools to support seasonal decision making.
AgriFutures Australia
(02) 6923 6900 | agrifutures.com.au
Funds research and innovation across Australia’s rural industries, including emerging sectors.
Australian Chicken Meat Federation
(02) 6257 9022 | chicken.org.au
Provides advocacy and resources for Australia’s chicken meat industry and producers.
Australian Wine Research Institute
(08) 8313 6600 | awri.com.au
Delivers technical support and research to support Australia’s wine industry innovation.
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)
1800 070 099 | wool.com
Invests in research, development and marketing for Australian woolgrowers.
AUSVEG
(03) 9882 0277 | ausveg.com.au
Represents the interests of vegetable and potato growers with advocacy, R&D and industry support.
Dairy Australia
1800 004 377 | dairyaustralia.com.au
Provides services and support to help dairy farmers thrive.
Dairy Food Safety Victoria
(03) 9810 5900 | dairysafe.vic.gov.au
Oversees the safety of dairy products produced and sold in Victoria.
Farm Safe Australia
farmsafe.org.au
Promotes safety on farms and provides resources to reduce risk of injury.
Regional Investment Corporation
1800 875 675 | ric.gov.au
Offers government-backed loans for farm business improvements and drought recovery.
WorkSafe Victoria
1800 136 089 | worksafe.vic.gov.au
Supports safe and fair workplaces through education and enforcement.
Wellbeing & Mental Health
Ahead for Business
aheadforbusiness.org.au
Offers tools and resources to support small business owners with mental health and wellbeing.
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au
24/7 support for people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault or abuse.
DETECT & PROTECT
1300 045 747Â | nexsolutions.org.au/wellness-support
Wellness support program provided by NEX Business Farming Wellness - we take a personalised approach to your wellbeing.Â
Lifeline
13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Men’s Line Australia
1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au
Support for men with family and relationship concerns.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Local
health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services/mental-health-and-wellbeing-locals
Free service for people aged 26 and over. They provide treatment, care and support for your mental health and wellbeing close to home. You don't need a GP referral, Medicare card or mental health care plan.
National Centre for Farmer Health
farmerhealth.org.au
Provides health, wellbeing and safety resources tailored to farming communities, including programs for stress, fatigue and rural mental health.
Partners in Wellbeing
1300 375 330 | partnersinwellbeing.org.au
Offers free support for mental health, financial wellbeing and small business stress.
Rural Health Connect
1300 164 170 | ruralhealthconnect.com.au
Connects rural Australians with psychologists via telehealth.
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Free, professional 24/7 counselling via phone or online.Â
