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 Biosecurity - 3 January 2019

This Intergovernmental Agreement seeks to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system through enhanced national collaboration among Australian governments. The Agreement came into effect on 3 January 2019, when the Commonwealth and South Australia became the first signatories.

Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Tasmania on the National Disability Insurance Scheme - 14 December 2018

On 14 December 2018, the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments entered into the Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Tasmania on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

National Drought Agreement - 12 December 2018

The National Drought Agreement sets out a joint approach to drought preparedness, response and recovery. It replaces the Intergovernmental Agreement on National Drought Program Reform.

Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of South Australia on the National Disability Insurance Scheme - 29 June 2018

On 29 June 2018, the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments entered into the Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of South Australia on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of New South Wales on the National Disability Insurance Scheme - 25 May 2018

On 25 May 2018, the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments entered into the Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of New South Wales on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Intergovernmental Agreement on the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse - 4 May 2018

The Intergovernmental Agreement on the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse provides the foundation for Commonwealth, State and Territory governments to work together to implement the National Redress Scheme. The Scheme aims to recognise and alleviate the impact of past institutional child sexual and related abuse, and provide justice for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

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.

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