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Agreements

An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) is an agreement made between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. While IGAs are not legally binding, they express the commitment of governments to work together on certain objectives or goals. Most IGAs commence as soon as they are signed by the Commonwealth and one state or territory.

When an agreement involves funding from the Commonwealth to the states and territories, this is covered under the IGA on Federal Financial Relations. This IGA recognises that the states and territories have primary responsibility for many areas of service delivery but that coordinated action is necessary to respond to Australia’s economic and social challenges. Under the IGA on Federal Financial Relations, payments to the states are outlined through schedules to one of five overarching sectoral Federation Funding Agreements (Health; Education and Skills; Infrastructure; Environment; and Affordable Housing, Community Services and Other), or through one of the National Agreements.

The Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) is the gatekeeper of the Federation Funding Agreements framework and makes sure that agreements are negotiated and administered efficiently.

For current and past funding agreements, see the Federal Financial Relations website.

Intergovernmental agreements

The updated Intergovernmental Agreement on Australia’s National Counter-Terrorism Arrangements came into effect on 5 October 2017.

On 7 December 2009, all states and territories signed the National Credit Law Agreement 2009.

On 2 July 2009, the Intergovernmental Agreement for Business Names Agreement (the IGA) came into effect.

This Agreement formalises and standardises services provided by the Bureau of Meteorology to state and territory emergency services agencies and allocates responsibilities of the Australian Government, states, territories and local governments for flood, fire weather, extreme weather and hazard impact event management.
This Agreement implements a new framework for competition and productivity enhancing reforms.
This agreement sets out the shared objective of the Commonwealth and the States (the Parties) to improve health outcomes for all Australians and ensure the sustainability of the Australian health system.