Exceptional Circumstances Exit Package
On 25 September 2007, the former government announced new drought assistance measures worth $714 million. These measures include the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Package, which is available to eligible farmers who sell their farm and apply for the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant between 25 September 2007 and 30 June 2010.
Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant
The Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant is targeted at low-income and low-asset farm owners. It is designed to assist farmers who have a significant long-term personal and financial attachment to their property and choose to leave their long-term family farm.
The Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant is available to farmers whose farm enterprise is, or was, located in an area that has been covered by an Exceptional Circumstances declaration (including prima facie and interim declared areas) at any time on, or after, 25 September 2007. Farmers must sell their farm enterprise and lodge an EC Exit Grant application between 25 September 2007 and 30 June 2010.
Farmers affected by the severe drought conditions can get help to leave farming and consider their options outside of farming. The Exit Grant is a one-off taxable payment of up to $150,000. The amount of Exit Grant reduces once the farmer’s net assets, after the sale of the farm, reach $350,000 with the Exit Grant reducing to zero when the net assets reach $575,000.
Eligibility requirements
A person may be eligible for the Exit Grant if:
Prior to selling the farm:
- they are a farmer
- they are an Australian resident
- their farm was, or is, located in an Exceptional Circumstances declared area (including prima facie and interim declared areas) on or after 25 September 2007
- they have owned or had a right or interest in the farm for at least 5 years immediately prior to exiting the farm industry
- they have contributed a significant part of their labour and capital to the farm enterprise
- they have derived a significant part of income from the farm.
To be eligible for the Exit Grant, the sale of the farm must be on commercial terms and at arm’s length.
Farmers who accept the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant must agree not to become an owner or operator of a farm within five years of exiting the farming industry. Farmers who take the Exit Grant can choose to work on a farming property or in the agricultural sector as long as they and/or their spouse or partner, are not owners or operators of that property.
Exceptional Circumstances Advice and Re-training Grant
Farmers who are eligible for the Exit Grant can also receive up to $10,000 for professional advice and retraining to help them plan for life after farming. More information on the Exceptional Circumstances Advice and re-training grant can be found on the Centrelink Exceptional Circumstances Exit Package website.
Exceptional Circumstances Relocation Grant
Farmers who accept the Exit Grant may also access up to $10,000 to help with relocation expenses and to access job seeking services after they have sold the farm. More information on the Exceptional Circumstances Relocation Grant can be found on the Centrelink Exceptional Circumstances Exit Package website.
Policy Guidelines
For more information and to apply
- Drought Assistance Hotline: 13 23 16
- For languages other than English: 131 202
- Visit the Centrelink Exceptional Circumstances Exit Package website