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Exceptional Circumstances (EC) Western Australia

Government programs are moving away from business assistance (Exceptional Circumstances interest rate subsidies) to drought preparedness by improving the skills and building the resilience of farmers through training and farm planning measures. Previously EC support ensured that viable farmers were not forced to leave the land due to events that were beyond the boundaries of normal risk management (rare and severe climatic or other events).

There are currently no areas in WA with EC declarations. However, small businesses located in WA that do business with farmers/pastoralists in other states who are still in EC can continue to apply for support until the expiration of those EC declarations.

Since the first drought EC declaration in February 2001 to June 2009, more than $61 million of EC Interest Rate Subsidies was paid to farmers nationally.

Rural Business Development Unit (EC):  Freecall 1800 198 231 (within Western Australia) or email:  rbdu@agric.wa.gov.au