John Henderson-Drife, a cattle, sheep and crop farmer, was initially apprehensive to purchase a quad bike a couple of decades ago. But now, he has three quad bikes on his farm.

While he acknowledges that they can be dangerous, for him they are a valuable farming tool that makes working with livestock much quicker.

It took a number of incidents of being flung from a quad bike as well as one much more serious incident involving his son for him to take the step to install rollover protection equipment.

His son, a farmer too, is lucky to be alive after the quad bike he was riding flipped and flung him off early one morning several years ago.

The bike landed on top of him, pinning him underneath. Hooked to the bike by the leatherman pouch on his belt, he was able to tear it off and free himself.

His sternum was broken and he spent a night in hospital, but he was lucky.

"That's when I thought that it's not worth not buying rollover protection," Mr Henderson-Drife said. "I shouldn't have waited that long."

Both he and his son have since forked out the funds to purchase rollover protection equipment for the quad bikes on their respective farms.

"$1200 is a few bob but if it saves your life it's worth it," he said.

Both men were able to access funding through a government rebate program which was developed to reduce the likelihood of death and serious injury if an accident is to occur on a quad bike.

Quad bikes are one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment a farmer can own - quad bike rollovers are the leading cause of death on Australian farms.

The risk of a rollover increases on inclines or slopes, on uneven ground, when travelling at higher speeds or when carrying a heavy load.

Always ensure you are using the right vehicle for the job and wear a helmet.

Ballarat Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale said it was important to know the limitations of the quad bike, and to tell somebody else when you will be riding it and when you will return.

All terrain vehicle safety courses are also available.

This year there have already been two quad bike related deaths in Victoria and nine across Australia. The majority of deaths were the result of a rollover.

But this trauma can be prevented.

Victorian farmers are encouraged to apply for a $1200 rebate for two quad bike operator protection devices (OPDs) or to upgrade to a safer alternative farm vehicle such as a side by side or small utility vehicle before the Quad Bike Safety Rebate Scheme closes at the end of the month.

The funding is available for up to two bikes per person, and must be applied for through the one claim.

Meanwhile, it has also recently been announced that from October 2021, all new quad bikes sold in Australia will need to meet new government stability requirements and must have rollover protection devices fitted.

Victorian Farmers Federation President David Jochinke said everybody has a role in keeping themselves, their families and the workforce safe.

The $6 million rebate scheme has been running since 2016 and through it thousands of quad bikes have had OPDs installed or have been upgraded to safer alternatives.

Applications will be open until Tuesday 30 June. More information is available at www.vff.org.au/quadbike or by calling the VFF on 1300 882 883.