Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854:body:0:p27
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 77721–81005

outcomes and should be held accountable for the ways in which they fulfill their roles.
    14.3.   Officials should clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in grants administration. Officials are encouraged to develop a robust governance framework, which clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the various parties, as this will facilitate accountability.
          * Any grants governance framework must be underpinned by the mandatory requirements in Part 1 of the CGRPs, such as the need for accountable authorities and officials to ensure that grants administration, including decision-making, is consistent with the requirements of the PGPA Act and Rule and that ministers are advised of their requirements under the CGRPs.
          * Any grants governance framework should also clearly outline the role of grantees in the administration of a grant and the role of third parties, such as, external committees or entities that may manage grants on behalf of the Commonwealth.
    14.4.   Officials should develop policies, procedures and documentation necessary for the effective and efficient governance and accountability of grants administration. This must include the development of grant opportunity guidelines and associated operational guidance for administering grant activities on an ongoing basis. It is particularly important that such guidance clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in grants administration processes. Officials must ensure the development of such guidance is consistent with the CGRPs.[80]
Appropriate Skills and Training
    14.5.   Officials involved in developing and/or managing grant opportunities should have the necessary grants management, stakeholder liaison and financial management skills. Officials involved in assessing applications should be appropriately skilled and have access to procedural instructions and/or training before processing grant applications.
          * These safeguards are particularly important if grants administration is devolved to various offices or across multiple entities, or involves different levels of government or individuals and organisations external to the Commonwealth.
          * Care should be exercised to ensure that the competing demands on staff time and scarcity of expertise do not lead to variations in the standards of appraisal and administration.
          * Entities should document the appropriate skills and/or training of officials involved in each phase of the grants lifecycle and facilitate suitable ongoing support to maintain standards and quality assurance over grants administration.
Record Keeping
    14.6.   Accountability is dependent on the proper maintenance, awareness and availability of appropriate grants administration documentation and processes. Record keeping is therefore a key component of good grants governance and accountability. Good record keeping by officials will assist in meeting accountability obligations, demonstrate compliance with the CGRPs and the resource management framework, and show that due process has been followed in actions and decisions.
          * Officials should have regard to grants-specific record keeping requirements and the implications for record