Agreements

Detailed commitments of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) may be recorded through intergovernmental agreements or statements of co-operation.

In many instances, agreements have been the precursor to the passage of Commonwealth or state and territory legislation. COAG level agreements make clear that the outcomes have head of government support and have greater currency and force than ministerial reports and communiqué text which may not always contain detailed policy and/or operational matters.

Intergovernmental agreements that facilitate payments to the states and National Agreements under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations are available on the Council on Federal Financial Relations website.

For further information on other intergovernmental agreements see below.

Intergovernmental Agreements

Intergovernmental Agreement on Nationally Consistent Worker Screening - 3 May 2018

This Intergovernmental Agreement sets out the national policy for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) worker screening. It requires people who provide NDIS supports and services through a registered NDIS provider to undergo a worker screening check.

Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Framework for Responding to PFAS Contamination - 20 February 2018

This Intergovernmental Agreement supports collaboration and cooperation between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories to respond consistently and effectively to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The Agreement came into effect on 20 February 2018, when the Commonwealth and South Australia became the first signatories.

Heads of Agreement between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on public hospital funding and health reform - 12 February 2018

The Heads of Agreement between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on public hospital funding and health reform was considered by COAG and signed by the Commonwealth, New South Wales and Western Australia on 9 February 2018. South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory subsequently signed the agreement.

Intergovernmental Agreement on the Provision of Bureau of Meteorology Hazard Services to the States and Territories - 22 January 2018

The updated Intergovernmental Agreement on the Provision of Bureau of Meteorology Hazard Services to the States and Territories came into effect on 22 January 2018. This updated IGA maintains the body of the 2017 IGA with significant progress updates to the associated Schedules 1 to 4; which were overseen by the IGA's implementing body, the Hazards Services Forum.

Intergovernmental Agreement on Australia's National Counter-Terrorism Arrangements - 5 October 2017

The updated Intergovernmental Agreement on Australia’s National Counter-Terrorism Arrangements came into effect on 5 October 2017. The updated IGA builds on the 2002 IGA and its 2012 variation.

Intergovernmental Agreement on Identity Matching Services - 5 October 2017

The Intergovernmental Agreement on Identity Matching Services came into effect on 5 October 2017. The IGA, between the Commonwealth and the states, makes it easier for security and law enforcement agencies to identify people who are suspects or victims of terrorist or other criminal activity, and prevent the use of fake or stolen identities.

Intergovernmental Agreement on Implementing Water Reform in the Murray Darling Basin - 28 April 2017

On 5 June 2013, the Intergovernmental Agreement on Implementing Water Reform in the Murray Darling Basin (the IGA) came into effect. The IGA, between Commonwealth and states, builds on the 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement and supports the objectives of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (the Basin Plan), which passed through the Commonwealth Parliament in November 2012.

Intergovernmental Agreement on the Provision of Bureau of Meteorology Hazard Services to the States and Territories - 23 March 2017

Intergovernmental Agreement on Competition and Productivity - enhancing Reforms - 9 December 2016

This Agreement implements a new framework for competition and productivity‑enhancing reforms.

An agreement between the Commonwealth and the States & Territories (NSW, WA, Tas, ACT and NT)

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Council of Australian Governments