$6K relief payment for dought-hit farmers

Drought-affected farmers will have up to $6000 more in their bank accounts as the first of two relief payments is distributed.

The cash is part of a series of government relief measures, the value of which has hit $1.8 billion. (AAP)

Farmers struggling with one of Australia's worst droughts in more than 100 years will receive up to $6000 from Saturday.

The payment is among federal government measures to help farmers and their communities doing it tough.

The funds are being distributed to households eligible for the Farm Household Allowance, with another payment set to follow on March 1.

In total, eligible couples will receive $12,000 and individuals $7200.

That's on top of the Farm Household Allowance's base fortnightly payment, which is worth about $16,000 a year.

The cash injection is part of a series of federal government relief measures, the value of which has hit $1.8 billion so far.

About 99 per cent of NSW and more than 58 per cent of Queensland is officially in drought.