Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Federal Financial Relations

COAG has reaffirmed its commitment to cooperative working arrangements through an historic new IGA that provides an overarching framework for the Commonwealth’s financial relations with the States and Territories (the States). 

More information on this Agreement and National Partnerships is now available.

Welcome to the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) website

COAG is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

COAG Meeting - 13 April 2012, Canberra

COAG held its 32nd meeting in Canberra on 13 April 2012. 2012 marks 20 years since COAG first met in December 1992. The Prime Minister, Premiers, Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association attended the meeting.

The Communiqué is available on the Meetings Outcomes page.

Business Advisory Forum

The inaugural meeting of the Business Advisory Forum to COAG, convened by the Prime Minister, was held on 12 April 2012.

The Communiqué is available for download:

National Partnership Agreement on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Developments

The National Partnership Agreement on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Developments (the Agreement) came into effect on 14 February 2012. In signing the Agreement, the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia seek to address public concerns about the actual and potential impacts of coal seam gas and coal mining activities on water resources; and agree there is a critical need to strengthen the science that underpins the regulation of these industries.

The Agreement will substantially improve the scientific evidence that informs regulatory decisions; enhance the transparency and openness of regulatory processes; and ensure that independent expert advice on all relevant project proposals is available to communities, governments and industry. The Commonwealth will invest $200 million over five years to support this work.

National Health Reform Agreement

COAG has agreed, out-of-session in August 2011, the National Health Reform Agreement which will deliver major reforms to the organisation, funding and delivery of health and aged care.

The Agreement sets out the shared intention of the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to work in partnership to improve health outcomes for all Australians and ensure the sustainability of the Australian health system.

The reforms will achieve better access to services, improved local accountability and transparency, greater responsiveness to local communities and provide a stronger financial basis for our health system into the future through increased Commonwealth funding. This new agreement gives effect to the commitment made by COAG on 13 February 2011, and in doing so, supersedes the National Health and Hospitals Network Agreement and the Heads of Agreement on National Health Reform.

Under the National Health Reform Agreement, the Commonwealth is providing an extra $16.4 billion, through to 2019-20, for public hospitals.

COAG has also agreed to a new National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services, as well as amendments to the National Healthcare Agreement and the Intergovernmental Agreement of Federal Financial Relations

This announcement builds on a number of significant investments in Australia’s public hospital system by the Commonwealth Government.

A media release is available from the Prime Minister’s website: www.pm.gov.au

COAG Review of the National Water Commission

An external review of the National Water Commission is required by the National Water Commission Act 2004, and the intergovernmental agreement on the National Water Initiative.

The review will be conducted under the auspices of COAG. The review is to be submitted to COAG by the end of 2011.

Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the review were agreed by COAG:

In accordance with the ToRs, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, has appointed Dr. David Rosalky to undertake the review.

Dr. David Rosalky will be supported by a secretariat provided by the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The Secretariat may be contacted on (02) 6274 1684 or NWCReview@environment.gov.au.

A media release is available on the website of Senator Don Farrell.

COAG International Students Strategy for Australia

COAG has now endorsed the International Students Strategy for Australia. The Strategy aims to support a high quality experience for international students by improving student wellbeing, assuring the quality of education, strengthening consumer protection for international students and providing better information to current and future students. It builds on efforts already undertaken at all levels of government to improve the safety and wellbeing of international students. The Strategy and accompanying fact sheet are available below.

2010 Productivity Commission Report into Gambling

On 23 June 2010, the Commonwealth Government released the 2010 Productivity Commission Report into Gambling.  The report is now available for consideration by States, Territories, industry and the wider community.

In July 2008 the Council of Australian Governments resolved that the Commonwealth Government should request the Productivity Commission to update its 1999 inquiry report into gambling. 

In early 2010, the Productivity Commission provided its updated report on gambling to the Commonwealth Government.  In June the Commonwealth Government released this report which contains 48 recommendations covering electronic gaming machines, online gambling, wagering and State and Territory governance arrangements.

The Commonwealth Government Media Release is available from The Hon Jenny Macklin MP's website.

National Partnership Agreement

About this Site

This site provides information relating to the structure and function of COAG as well as the outcomes and agreements reached in meetings.

The outcomes of the most recent meetings and all other meetings are linked directly under the Meeting Outcomes section where they are listed by year. A subject index of the meeting outcomes is also provided under Issues by Subject.

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Last Updated: 13 April, 2012