Record dry 2025 plunges states into worst drought in 'decades'

Farmers are pleading for urgent help as a severe drought grips parts of Victoria and Tasmania, leaving dams empty and paddocks barren.

Weatherzone revealed last week that parts of both states, as well as parts of Tasmania, had endured record dry starts to the year.

"Some areas in southern Australia saw their lowest rainfall on record during the first four months of this year," the weather observer said.

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"This included parts of South Australia, south-west Victoria and north-west Tasmania. When averaging rainfall across the entire state, Tasmania also had its driest start to a year on record."

A map showed that rainfall from January to April in 2025, was in parts of all three states at zero per cent compared to the long-term average recorded from 1961 to 1990.

In other places it was under 20 per cent.

"With the opening months of 2025 continuing to see an absence of useful rain, large areas of southern Australia have just seen their driest 15-month and 25-month periods ending in April on record," Weatherzone said.

The Bureau of Meteorology's long-term forecast, issued last week, forecast below-average rainfall for Victoria's alpine region all the way through to August.

Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania also have high chances of "unusually high" winter temperatures, according to the same forecast.

Farmers call for urgent help

The Victorian Farmers Federation this month issued a call to arms for the state government, urging them to increase support measures for producers battling drought.

VFF president Bernie Free said Victoria's farmers were facing some of the driest conditions in decades.

"Feed is becoming increasingly scarce, water sources are drying up, and financial pressure is mounting," he said.

"We now have multiple dairy regions across the state affected. Without further support from the state government, we risk long-term damage not just to farming families, but to entire rural communities.".

VFF livestock group president Scott Young said that both longer term and short-term assistance is required.

"We need longer term programs to help us prepare for the next drought," he said.

"But new troughs won't help when there's no water to put in them today. We need serious investment in immediate financial relief, and programs that actually reflect the reality on the ground."

The group wants the upcoming state budget to take on the task of supporting farmers.

The VFF said Victoria risks falling behind and without immediate action, the impacts on regional communities and the state's food and fibre supply chains could be devastating.

Last month, the South Australian government passed an additional $55 million in drought support, following an $18 million announcement in November last year.

The new funding injection offers $1500 rural support grants to affected households.

"This practical assistance ensures our rural communities aren't faced with unpaid invoices, skipping medical appointments, giving up on school opportunities, or quietly going without," Premier Peter Malinauskas said.

"Helping our farmers who feed our state, get through every day, and plan a way forward through these challenging and dry times is exactly what this program aims to do."

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