More flexibility and cash flow boost for farmers fighting locusts

South Australian farmers battling locusts will be reimbursed sooner and have greater flexibility under updates to the Malinauskas Government’s $4.6 million Chemical Rebate Scheme.

The scheme is a key part of the State Government’s $6.5 million plague locust response package, providing rebates of up to $35 per hectare for approved spraying chemicals used to control locusts.

Previously, farmers could only lodge one application and were required to wait until early next year before receiving payment. Under newly updated Chemical Rebate Scheme guidelines, eligible producers can submit up to two applications over the life of the scheme, helping them access funding earlier and claim additional eligible spray costs later in the season.

Farmers whose spray chemical costs are less than $35 per hectare in their first application can apply a second time for further spray activities to reach the rebate cap and receive their full $35 per hectare entitlement.

This change will mean eligible farmers get a well-deserved cash flow boost, and the added flexibility to seek additional reimbursement for spray chemical costs later in the season if they haven’t reached the rebate cap.

Applications for the Chemical Rebate Scheme are open until 14 February, 2027.

For more information, visit Australian locust plague.