Australian farmers offered help as destructive drought continues to bite

Farmers will receive immediate additional financial support to help them and their communities fight one of the worst droughts of the past century.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will return to a farm in Trangie in central NSW on Sunday to announce the AU$190 million new package that will also provide mental health services.

"We can't make it rain. But we can ensure that farming families and their communities get all the support they need to get through the drought, recover and get back on their feet," the government said in a statement.

The government had already extended the Farm Household Allowance scheme from three to four years, effective from 1 August.

That scheme will now provide two lump sum supplementary payments worth up to AU$12,000 for eligible households, Mr Turnbull has announced.

The government is also changing the assets test to allow thousands more farmers to access support in "recognition of the severity of this drought."

The new package follows a "listening tour" Mr Turnbull made in June where he visited the Miles' family farm.

The government says Sunday's announcement is just one phase its "continuing and enduring response to the drought."

Further longer-term measures to improve the resilience of rural communities to handle drought conditions are being developed across government.

Another phase will be announced in coming weeks.