New Standardised Funding Agreements being introduced by a number of Commonwealth Government departments are aimed at streamlining access and management of funding grants to communities.
Fifteen departments have collaborated in the More Accessible Government initiative to ensure funding agreements between the Commonwealth Government and grant recipients are as standardised as possible. These agreements are expected to benefit all parties by:
- reducing administrative burdens on funding recipients
- consistent funding administration across Commonwealth departments
- improved accountability for both recipients and the Commonwealth.
Standardised Agreements use agreed policy positions as a starting point to meet programme needs, then build in flexibility by enabling agencies to vary or delete standard clauses or tailor other clauses to suit specific programme objectives. These tailor-made clauses are aimed at ensuring programme objectives and responsibilities are not affected.
Standardised funding agreements come in three forms, long, short and minimalist, and each can be adapted to fit the circumstances of each programme and project. Recipients of funding under these agreements can expect consistent policy positions from Commonwealth Government departments on legal and other issues associated with each grant.Standard clauses deal with issues such as asset management, record keeping and reporting, taxes and other government charges, ownership of Commonwealth material, intellectual property, indemnity, insurance, conflict of interest and dispute resolution.
