Not sure about aus but I live in NZ, we don't have a farm as we don't have sheep cows etc but we live rural with 9800m2 so we also have three 25000 liters water tanks with filter system in garage. We have never ran out of water yet but I suppose it is much warmer and dryer in aus. Living rural is not for everyone as there is always work to do and can be physical but we love it. Speaking of rates, rural rates is much less than rates in city here in NZ