The National Drought Map is a new online tool that brings together population data and information on drought conditions.

Through an online interactive map of Australia, users have easy access to spatial information on drought conditions and support measures to assist with analysis, decision making, planning and reporting. The data includes rainfall, soil moisture, town size by population, number of farm businesses, agricultural types, available support measures and employment by industries. In many cases data can be examined down to local government area level.

The platform shares data from governments on one platform so consistent information can inform the decision making of all organisations providing drought support and services. Organisations can also import their own data to make maps that are useful for their operations.

Commissioned by the Joint Agency Drought Taskforce, the map has been developed by CSIRO and Data 61. It involves the sharing of information across multiple government agencies including:

• Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
• Department of Human Services
• Department of Social Services
• Bureau of Meteorology
• Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences
• Department of infrastructure
• Regional Development and Cities
• Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Department of Health
• Geoscience Australia

The Joint Agency Drought Taskforce is also working with State and Territory Governments to share information on the platform. Depending on the data set, the map is updated regularly – for example meteorological data is updated daily, and Farm Household Allowance data is updated monthly.

If you are seeking drought assistance please visit the FarmHub website.

Additional information will be added to the National Drought Map over time to strengthen the platform as a decision support tool. If you have suggestions on additional information that could be added or further improvements please contact the Joint Agency Drought Taskforce at drought.taskforce@pmc.gov.au