However, October has started on a better note, with some good falls reported in the Darling Basin yesterday, in both northern and western NSW.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports that Inverell received 20mm in the 24 hours to 9am Tuesday, Glen Innes and Tenterfield 23mm, and Come By Chance 49mm, while Boggabri has received 44mm and Dubbo 36mm over the last few days.

But according to the Bureau much more rain will be needed to overcome the long-term effects of the drought.

In its latest drought report, it says that average to above average September falls over much of the country only provided minor relief to short-term rainfall deficits over southwest WA, northeast NSW, southwest NT and Queensland.

For the 7-month period from March to September, areas of serious to severe rainfall deficiencies have persisted over parts of western Queensland, the NT, southern NSW, central and eastern Victoria, eastern Tasmania, the SA pastoral districts and most of the WA interior.

Above average September rainfall over northern NSW, most of Queensland, Tasmania, the NT and southwest WA contributed to a reduction in the area of land affected by short-term rainfall deficiencies in these regions, the Bureau reports.

In particular, it says severe deficiencies observed in the six months ending 31 August 2008 over northeast NSW and southeast Queensland have eased significantly.

In contrast, below average September rainfall across SA, the interior of WA, Victoria and southern NSW maintained short-term deficiencies, with some intensification of deficiencies observed in SA.

In northern Australia, short-term deficiencies are generally a result of a poor end to the 2007/2008 wet season, whereas, in southern Australia a drier than normal 2008 wet season has been the main contributor to deficiencies.

Lowest on record September rainfall over parts of Victoria, southern NSW, SA and the WA interior has placed severe stress on farming activities in these regions.