Key Points:
Looking at some common mistakes in the administration of
grants is a useful reminder of what not to do.
The Commonwealth Grant Guidelines July 2009
(CGGs) have provided Australian Government
agencies with a valuable resource to help them effectively manage
grants programs. They set out the policy framework, mandatory
requirements for grants administration, and the seven best practice
principles which agencies should observe. In particular, the CGGs
focus on transparent and accountable decision-making processes.
Officials performing duties in relation to grant administration
must act in accordance with the CGGs.
Ultimately, of course, the managers of grants programs are only
human, and mistakes are made. Audits conducted by the Australian
National Audit Office (ANAO) note improvements in
agencies' practices and policies for grant administration, but
also reveal some common mistakes, often caused by unforseen
pressures on a program, such as changes to
