Drought relief package passes parliament

Part of the Turnbull government's drought relief package has passed parliament, allowing farmers to access cash payments.

Farmers will get up to $12,000 in cash payments to help them during one of the worst droughts in living memory.

Legislation cleared parliament on Thursday to give eligible couples up to $12,000 and individuals $7200 in two payments on September 1 and March 1.

The cash injection is a supplement to the Farm Household Allowance, a payment worth about $16,000 a year which farmers can access for a limit of four years.