Gift of the GAB - June 2025

Welcome to the Gift of the GAB! We are keen to hear your thoughts on what you would like to see in future editions – it’s your newsletter!

Images courtesy of Dallas Hope, NT Housing team

Grant Assessment Team Kicks Off Ceasing Grant Process 

The Grant Assessment Team has commenced work on the December 2025 Ceasing Grant Process, with approximately 200 activities in scope for decisions. This marks the beginning of another critical phase for the team, with assessments scheduled to commence from Monday, 23 June 2025. 

This initiative reflects the team's proactive approach to planning and coordination, ensuring that key decisions are made in a timely and informed manner. 

Congratulations to all involved—your efforts continue to make a meaningful difference

Looking Ahead 
 With more rounds expected later this year and the Ceasing Grant Process now underway, the ACBS team is well-positioned to continue delivering high-impact results. Their work supports critical programs and ensures that funding reaches communities efficiently and effectively.

Grant Facts – Did You Know?  

CONSISTENCY WITH GRANT GUIDELINES AND ESTABLISHED PROCESSES

What does it mean? 

• You may already know that Grant Opportunity Guidelines (GOGs) must be developed for all new or substantially revised Grant Opportunities [CGRPs, 4.4]; and that any guidance provided to applicants must align with the CGRPs [13.4]. However, it is also critical for grants administrators to be aware that achieving government policy outcomes should be the over-riding consideration when designing GOGs [see 13.1; .2; also 13.6; .7]. 
• In addition, grants administration processes should align with an entity’s other practices and procedures under the Commonwealth resource management framework, such as internal financial delegation instruments or accountable authority instructions [see 13.11.] For the NIAA, this includes completion of a Grant Design Strategy (GDS), one purpose of which is to inform the development of clear GOGs that accurately reflect the program logic and the desired outcomes of the grant.

Why does it matter? 

• Above all, this principle seeks to facilitate accountability and transparency. 
• Potential grantees need access to adequate information to enable them to submit a grant application, and to develop a good understanding of what is being sought. [For more detail, see full text of 13.5, CGRPs]. 
• Consistency and clarity in GoGs are critical, as GOGs and their attachments are the authoritative, public-facing reference documents relied upon by applicants [see 13.2].   
• Officials must also put in practices and procedures to ensure that a grant’s administration over its lifecycle is conducted in a matter this is consistent with the GOGs [see 13 of the CGRPs]. For example, decisions to award grants should correspond to the GOGs [see 13.7].
• To facilitate accountability and transparency, all parties should keep and maintain appropriate and accessible records of decisions taken in relation to the guidelines and throughout the life of the grant opportunity (for further info, see 13.10; 13.11).  
• For more information on the two new principles, see DoF resources here: CGRPs New Principles 

FUSION Reminder 

All FUSION Resources are available on the

 Grants Front Door.

  See in particular:

• Frequently Asked Questions  
• Module Task Cards

See also:

• Decision to Execution Resources and Task Cards 
• Release Notes   

Everyone loves a good news story

If you have a success you wish to crow about, Gift of the GAB is a great place to share with your colleagues.

Submit your team’s good news story to:

grantdesign@niaa.gov.au

Commonly Used Terms in Grants Administration

The following entries are taken from the Glossary to the CGRPs.

Grants administration is the processes that an entity undertakes to achieve Government policy outcomes through grants. It includes: planning and design; selection and decision-making; the making of a grant; the management of grant agreements; the ongoing relationship with grantees; reporting; and review and evaluation. 

Grant agreement sets out the relationship between the parties to the agreement and specifies the details of the grant. 

Grant opportunity refers to the specific grant round or process where a Commonwealth grant is made available to potential grantees. A grant opportunity will often be released in a single GOG and may be open, targeted or closed and will reflect the relevant grant selection process (i.e. competitive, non-competitive or demand driven). 

Grant opportunity guidelines (‘GOG’) refers to a document(s) containing the relevant information required for potential grantees to understand: the purpose, outcomes and objectives of a grant opportunity; the application and assessment process; the governance arrangements (including roles and responsibilities); and the operation of the grant. Grant opportunity guidelines include related documents, such as the application guidelines and forms, invitations to apply, supporting documentation, frequently asked questions, draft grant agreements, and any templates for reporting or acquittals. 

GrantConnect is the Australian Government’s whole-of-government grants information system, which centralises the publication and reporting of Commonwealth grants in accordance with the CGRPs. 

Grantee means the individual/organisation which has been selected to receive a grant. 

Grants lifecycle includes the: design of grant opportunities and activities; assessment and selection of grantees; establishment of grants; ongoing management of grantees and grant activities; and evaluation of grant opportunities and activities. 

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

Attention Regional and Program staff:

Each month we will promote any new GOGs released (including by other agencies) and published on Grant Connect that may be relevant to your stakeholders.

Registering on Grant Connect is easy ? 

In June 2025 two new GOGs or Forecast Opportunities with the subject area of “Indigenous” were published.

GO ID: GO7741

National Tax Clinic Program - Indigenous and Remote Communities Grant

Agency: Australian Taxation Office

Close Date & Time: 24-Jul-2025 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
 Show close time for other time zones

Internal Reference ID: I&R2025

Primary Category: 251002 - Indigenous Communities

Secondary Category: 191002 - Higher Education

Publish Date: 25-Jun-2025

Location: ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS

Selection Process: Closed Non-Competitive

Description:

This grant opportunity was announced as part of the 2023-24 Federal Budget. The grant opportunity is in line with the aim of the National Tax Clinic Program and specifically focuses on dedicated support for Indigenous and remote communities.

The intended outcomes of this grant opportunity are:

• Increased financial literacy and economic outcomes by providing tailored tax and superannuation services for Indigenous and remote communities, including small businesses  
• Enhanced understanding of Australia’s taxation and superannuation systems amongst services for Indigenous and remote communities
• Enhanced in-person engagement and access to information and services for Indigenous and remote communities
• Improved economic inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by better supporting participation in the taxation system

Eligibility:

To be eligible to apply for this grant opportunity, you must be an educational institution that is recognised as participating in the National Tax Clinic program (e.g. Australian University or TAFE).

Forecast Opportunities:

FO ID: P6489

Better Renal Services for First Nations Peoples - Round 3

Agency: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Program Name: Indigenous Australians' Health Programme

Description:

The Better Renal Services for First Nations Peoples - Round 3 grant opportunity will provide up to $18.583 million over 2 years (2024-25 to 2025-26) to establish dialysis units in up to seven locations. The grant activity comprises of two stages: scoping and construction.

Eligible organisations and locations are:

• Western Dessert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation:

o Alekarenge (Ali Curung), NT

o Yuendumu, NT

• Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation: Galiwin’ku, NT

• Puntukumu Aboriginal Medical Service: Jigalong, WA

• Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation: Maningrida, NT

• North West Hospital and Health Service: Normanton, Qld

• Ngaanyatjarra Health Service (Aboriginal Corporation): Warburton, WA

This Forecast Opportunity provides information relating to a possible upcoming grant opportunity, likely to be available during the below Estimated Period of Release. Any details relating to this Forecast Opportunity may change with the published Grant Opportunity.

Status: As Published

Estimated Period of Release: January to June 2025