Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854:body:0:p26
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 74734–78000

should ensure that grant opportunity guidelines document the circumstances in which the eligibility or assessment criteria set out in grant opportunity guidelines may be waived or amended and what strategies will be used to mitigate any disadvantage to potential grantees from waiving or amending selection criteria.
          * Officials should seek ministerial or other appropriate authority before invoking provisions for waiving or amending eligibility and assessment criteria and keep appropriate records.
          * Grant opportunity guidelines should not be changed after the grant opportunity is closed to applications. Decisions to deviate from published guidelines and any amended processes should be documented and appropriately communicated, including whether potential grantees will be provided an opportunity to apply or to revise an application, or whether a new grant opportunity will be issued.
          * It is important that appraisal and selection processes be transparent and free from the risk of bias. It is better practice for all like applications to be assessed using a common appraisal process, and where there is a departure from the approved selection process, the reasons should be documented. Similarly, grant assessors should document when referring to, or relying on, knowledge or documentation other than the application form.
    13.10.   Accountability and transparency are related concepts. Accountability involves decision-makers, officials and grantees being able to demonstrate and justify the use of public resources to government, the Parliament and the community. This necessarily involves all parties keeping appropriate and accessible records to evidence the above.
    13.11.   Sound administration of a grant opportunity is supported through establishing documented internal procedures to guide each aspect of the administration process. It is important to document such procedures prior to the commencement of the grant opportunity and to review and maintain these over the life of the grant opportunity. Any changes to the approved grant opportunity guidelines or administrative processes will need to be reflected in the documented procedures in a timely manner in order to ensure grant administration remains consistent with the approved parameters.

  14.        Governance and Accountability
    14.1.   Grants administration should be underpinned by solid governance structures and clear accountability for all parties involved.
    14.2.   Accountability involves ensuring individuals and organisations are responsible for their plans, decisions, actions and results. Accountability arrangements in grants administration relate to both the process of grants administration, including the grants allocation processes and ongoing grants management, and the achievement of government outcomes. Ministers, accountable authorities, officials and grantees all have their respective roles to play in achieving the applicable government 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,