Overview
This fact sheet explains the new requirements to publish information on GrantConnect under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles 2024 (CGRPs). GrantConnect is available at www.grants.gov.au.
The requirements for reporting on GrantConnect are set out in paragraph 5 of the CGRPs.
In addition to the requirements that applied under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2017, under the CGRPs:
- grant opportunity guidelines (guidelines) must be published on GrantConnect for all types of grant opportunity, including for one-off ad hoc grant opportunities
- officials are encouraged to forecast grant opportunities. Where forecast opportunities are developed, details must be published on GrantConnect.
- certain ministerial decisions must also be reported on GrantConnect.
Publishing one-off ad hoc grant opportunities
Under the CGRPs, grant opportunity guidelines must be published for one off ad hoc grant opportunities, as well as other types of grant opportunities, unless the Minister for Finance approves an exemption (paragraphs 5.2 and 5.8).
For further information see the one-off ad hoc grants fact sheet.
Publishing forecast grant opportunities
Officials are encouraged to develop forecast grant opportunities. Forecasting grant opportunities provides potential grant applicants with the opportunity to plan projects and applications for future grant opportunities. Forecast opportunities may also be used to facilitate early consultation with stakeholders, consistent with the principle of collaboration and partnership.
Where forecast opportunities are developed, these must be published on GrantConnect (paragraph 5.3).
Ministerial reporting on grant decisions
- Ministers (including Parliamentary Secretaries and Assistant Ministers) must report to the Minister for Finance when they approve a grant that is:
- in their own electorate, and/or
- categorised as ‘recommended be rejected’ in briefing from officials.
These decisions must also be reported on GrantConnect as soon as practicable. The report on GrantConnect must include a summary of the basis of the approval (paragraph 4.13).
GrantConnect will be updated to include a new reporting function called ‘grant decisions’. The grants awarded must be published first before information on ministerial decisions can be reported and linked in the system.
For more information about ministerial reporting requirements see the briefing and reporting changes fact sheet.
For more information visit Commonwealth Grants or email Grants.
