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Australian and State Government Exceptional Circumstance Assistance is available for locally owned small businesses that have been affected by drought conditions declared as Exceptional Circumstances to assist in meeting operating and other essential costs.

To be eligible for the assistance businesses must:

• derive 70% or more of their turnover from goods or services for farming activities in Exceptional Circumstance declared areas; or
• be located in a town, within an Exceptional Circumstance area, that has a population of less than 10,000 and be dependent on farming enterprises for all or part of its business turnover.

NOTE: As announced by the Australian Government on 26 February 2007, small businesses with 100 or less employees are eligible to receive Small Business Exceptional Circumstances Assistance. For further information, please view the Australian Government press release below:

27/02/07 'Drought assistance for "bigger" small businesses'

Interest Subsidy

Small businesses may be eligible to receive an interest subsidy of up to 80% payable on new or existing loans with a maximum interest subsidy of $100,000 p.a. for two years.

On 27 May 2009, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced extensions to some Exceptional Circumstance drought declared areas in Queensland until 15 June 2010. The Minister also announced that due to current drought declared areas showing signs of recovery extensions would not be granted to other areas.

For further information regarding this announcement, please view the Australian Government press release below:

27/05/09 'Government accepts advice on Exceptional Circumstances in NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia'

Exceptional Circumstance declared areas 
Each Exceptional Circumstance declared area link in the table below will take you to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.

Shires and Regional Councils	Exceptional Circumstance Declared Areas	Declared Area Expiry Dates
Balonne (part)	Western Downs/Maranoa	15 June 2010
Barcoo	South West	15 June 2010
(Former) Bendemere Shire (part)	Western Downs/Maranoa	15 June 2010
(Former) Booringa Shire (part)	Western Downs/Maranoa	15 June 2010
Boulia (part)	Far West	15 June 2010
Bulloo	South West	15 June 2010
(Former) Bungil Shire (part)	Western Downs/Maranoa	15 June 2010
(Former) Chinchilla Shire	Northern Darling Downs	15 June 2010
(Former) Isisford Shire (southern portion)	South West	15 June 2010
Longreach (part)	Far West	15 June 2010
(Former) Murilla Shire (part)	Western Downs/Maranoa and Northern Darling Downs	15 June 2010
Paroo (part)	South West	15 June 2010
Quilpie	South West	15 June 2010
(Former) Tara Shire (part)	Central Darling Downs and Western Downs/Maranoa	15 June 2010
(Frmer) Taroom Shire (part)	Western Downs/Maranoa	15 June 2010
(Former) Wambo Shire (part)	Central Darling Downs and Northern Darling Downs	15 June 2010
(Former) Warroo Shire	Western Downs/Maranoa	15 June 2010
Winton	Far West	15 June 2010

 
How do I apply for Small Business Exceptional Circumstance Assistance?

QRAA requires a completed Application form to be submitted. Should you have questions regarding your application, please contact us on Freecall 1800 623 946.

Are there terms and conditions for this assistance?

Our programs are subject to terms and conditions that identify the required eligibility criteria for each program. If you are interested in applying for this assistance, please view the

Small Business Exceptional Circumstances Assistance Guidelines (44KB)

Small Business Exceptional Circumstances Assistance Guidelines (112KB)

Guidelines which incorporate the changes announced by the Minister on 27 May 2009 are currently being finalised and will be available soon.

If you have any questions, assistance is available…

Should you have any queries regarding the support available for small businesses, our staff are happy to assist you. Please contact us on Freecall 1800 623 946.