Exceptional Circumstances

What are ‘Exceptional Circumstances’?
Exceptional Circumstances (EC) are rare and severe events outside those a farmer could normally be expected to manage using responsible farm management strategies.

What is an EC declaration?
An area or region becomes ‘declared’ as experiencing an Exceptional Circumstances event (see below for more information on how regions become EC declared). The EC declaration triggers short-term support for farmers in situations beyond the scope of normal risk management and when the future of significant numbers of farmers in a region is at risk. Support is also available to agriculture-dependent small businesses.

What is a prima facie declaration?
An area or region is said to be prima facie declared when the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry receives an application for EC, agrees that a prima facie case has been established and refers the application to the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) for advice. The prima facie declaration triggers interim income support for farmers and agriculture-dependent small businesses while the EC application is being assessed.

What support is available?
Under Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance the following support is available to eligible farmers and small businesses in declared EC regions. Primary producers and small businesses should not self-assess their eligibility for EC support.


Interest Rate Subsidies

  • Business support through the Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy (ECIRS) program for farm businesses [or small businesses that derive at least 70% or their normal turnover from providing goods and services for farm businesses located in the EC declared area] that are considered to be viable in the long-term, but for the exceptional circumstances are experiencing financial difficulties
  • EC Interest Rate Subsidies are delivered through the State and Territory Governments with 90 per cent of the cost of this EC component is met by the Australian Government with State and Territory governments contributing 10 per cent.

To get more information on Interest Rate Subsidies including application forms and guidelines go to the primary producer or small business sections on the exceptional circumstances of this website or contact PIRSA Prudential and Rural Financial Services on 1800 182 235

Income Support

  • EC Relief Payments are equivalent to the NewStart Allowance and are delivered by Centrelink on behalf of the Australian Government.
  • Primary Producers and small businesses should note that drought payments are taxable.

For more information on income support available go the Centrelink website, visit your local centrelink branch or call 13 23 16

South Australian EC regions

The areas of South Australia that are EC declared, under Prima Facie or are proposed are listed below. Detailed written descriptions of each region can be found in the Guidelines for Interest Rate Subsidy: Small Businesses and Guidelines for Interest Rate Subsidy: Primary Producers. 

South Australia overview EC areas map

South Australian EC declared Region

Kangaroo Island
North West Rangelands
Yorke Peninsula
Clare, Light and Barossa
Mid North
Central North East (inc Annexure)
Upper North
Western Eyre Peninsula
Central Eyre Peninsula
Lower Eyre Peninsula
Murray Mallee
Upper South East
Fleurieu Peninsula
River Murray Corridor and Lower Lakes
Far North/South West Queensland (administered by Queensland)
Central and Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges
Lower South East


South Australian Prima Facie EC areas

All remaining agricultural areas not currently in an EC declared region can access Prima Facie support until 30 September 2008.