Agreements

Cover of a signed Intergovernmental Agreement 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 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)

Intergovernmental Agreement on National Digital Health - 8 April 2016

An agreement to establish and support the Australian Digital Health Agency and to contribute to the incremental transformation of the way health information is used to plan, manage and deliver healthcare services through the implementation of a world class digital health capability in Australia.

An agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and all States and Territories

Heads of Agreement between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on Public Hospital Funding - 1 April 2016

Intergovernmental Agreement on National Exchange of Criminal History Information for People Working with Children - 5 August 2013

In 2013, COAG agreed to a permanent inter-jurisdictional exchange of criminal history information for screening people working with children (‘the Exchange’). The Exchange increases the range of criminal history information shared between jurisdictions and is an important measure in protecting children from harm.

Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement - 2 May 2013

On 2 May 2013 the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, and Premier of Tasmania, the Hon Lara Giddings MP, signed the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement. The Agreement builds on the 2011 Intergovernmental Agreement and supports of the Tasmanian Forests Agreement Legislation 2013.

Intergovernmental Agreement on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Launch - 7 December 2012

On 7 December 2012, COAG reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by signing an Intergovernmental Agreement for the NDIS Launch. New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory signed bilateral agreements with the Commonwealth which confirm the operational and funding details for the roll-out of the NDIS in each launch site.

Variation to the Intergovernmental Agreement on Australia's National Counter-Terrorism Arrangements - 8 September 2012

Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity - 13 January 2012

The Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity (IGAB), which came into effect in January 2012, is an agreement between the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, with the exception of Tasmania. This Agreement was developed to improve the national biosecurity system by identifying the roles and responsibilities of governments and outlines the priority areas for collaboration to minimise the impact of pests and disease on Australia’s economy, environment and the community.

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Council of Australian Governments