Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854:body:0:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00854
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achieved.
    8.2.       Officials are encouraged to seek input from non-government stakeholders when undertaking grants administration. [60] Officials, working together with stakeholders, will:
          * improve the design and delivery of grant opportunities;
          * help identify and reduce fragmentation and unnecessary overlaps in grant opportunities;
          * improve the responsiveness, flexibility and relevance of grant opportunities;
          * aid in the development of appropriate outputs, outcomes, impact measures, accountability requirements, governance structures and grants documentation; reduce administration and compliance costs for potential grantees, grantees and government; and
          * encourage potential grantees to understand their legal rights and obligations.
    8.3.       Consultation and co-operation with government and non-government stakeholders can help reduce fragmentation and unnecessary overlaps, improving outcomes for grantees, beneficiaries, the Commonwealth and other funding organisations. Officials should consider what interaction a particular grant opportunity may have on other government or non-government funded activities, particularly where there are similar policy outcomes.
          * Grants could be funded by Commonwealth, state or territory and local government bodies, private trusts and foundations or national or state coordinating organisations.
          * Officials should develop effective liaison with other funding organisations, particularly where policy responsibility or grants administration is shared between different entities or levels of government, or where an entity or third party is responsible for the grants administration of another entity.
    8.4.       Officials should seek to minimise red-tape and duplication. In particular, they should not seek information from potential grantees and/or grantees that is collected by other parts of the entity or other Commonwealth entities[61] and is available to them.
    8.5.       Effective working relationships based on collaboration and respect between the grantee and officials are supported by a well-designed grant agreement that clearly establishes roles and responsibilities and promotes a shared understanding of objectives and expectations for all parties. Longer term grant agreements are conducive to improved partnerships between grantees and officials.

  9.   Proportionality
    9.1.       Proportionality in grants administration involves striking an appropriate balance between the complexity, risks, outcomes, and transparency. Accountable authorities have a duty in relation to requirements imposed on others and when imposing requirements on others must take into account the risks associated with the use or management of public resources and the effect of requirements imposed.[62]
    9.2.       Officials should ensure that the administration of grants appropriately reflect the capabilities of potential grantees, grantees and accommodate the Australian Government's need for robust and accountable processes, consistent with the risks involved.
    9.3.       Grants vary widely in nature, scale and complexity. Officials should apply the proportionality principle to suit the specific circumstances of the particular grants.
          * Some grants may involve grantees, such as individuals, small business, primary producers or the not-for-profit sector, while others involve large corporations, or whole industry sectors. Some potential grantees may have prior