Financial support for bushfire-affected licensed trainers, licensed pre-trainers and acknowledged providers

Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced a bushfire relief support package to provide immediate support for fire-affected licensed trainers, licensed pre-trainers and acknowledged post racing program providers who have been directly impacted by the January 2026 Victorian Bushfires.

The package seeks to provide immediate financial support to complement accessible Government funding and insurance payments for participants whose properties have been directly affected by fire and whose operations are significantly impacted as a result.

Eligible participants may apply for a one-off relief payment of up to a maximum of $30,000 per application with payment based on the number of eligible registered Thoroughbreds which were on their licensed premises or RV acknowledged post racing program provider property at the time of the bushfire. 

RV has commenced contacting affected licensed participants and will continue to work with, assess and recommend which category of support will apply to each individual situation as outlined below:

Eligibility
 

To be eligible for the bushfire relief support package, applicants must:
 

• Be a currently licensed Victorian trainer (including licensed pre-trainers) or RV acknowledged post racing program provider (Retrainers, Retirement Farms or Rehomers only); and

• Operate a licensed premises or RV acknowledged post racing program provider property which has been directly affected by fire; and

• Have had their operations significantly impacted and directly affected by fire. 

Conditions:
 

• One application per property/business entity will be considered.

• The number of horses criteria will be applied based on the number of eligible horses in direct care, custody and control of the applicant at the impacted property at the time of the fire impacting an eligible applicant.

• Eligible horses must be registered Thoroughbreds (within Australian Stud Book or an international thoroughbred studbook). 

  • Breeding stock, including horses used for breeding purposes (e.g. stallions, teasers, nannies) or mares which are listed as breeders and their foals are not eligible. 

• As part of the application assessment process, applicants may be asked to provide evidence (including photographs) demonstrating the extent of the property impacted and how this has limited operations. RV’s sole discretion on the significance of the impact to the previous operations will apply to all applications. 

The bushfire relief support package is only available once per successful applicant in the application window from 19 January 2026 to 11.59pm on Friday, 30 January 2026. 
 

The Victorian Government has announced Primary Producer grants and concessional loans with the program expected to open over the coming days. 

Racing Victoria anticipates that eligibility should be extended to the broader thoroughbred sector including breeding, stud farm and horse agistment operations. Further communication will be circulated once the guidelines are released to confirm grant and loan details and eligibility. 

Those yet to be directly contacted by RV about the bushfire relief support package who believe that they meet the eligibility criteria outlined above should reach out to RV's Equine Welfare team via email equinewelfare@racingvictoria.net.au or phone 03 9258 4258.

Those not eligible and seeking emergency assistance are encouraged to still make contact as RV may be able to assist through our other safety net programs.