Federal Financial Relations Act 2009

No. 11, 2009

Compilation No.   14

Compilation date: 11 December 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 138, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Federal Financial Relations Act 2009 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 11 December 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self - repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1 Short title 1

2 Commencement 1

3 Object 1

4 Definitions 2

Part 2—General revenue assistance 7

Division 1—GST revenue grants 7

5 GST revenue grants 7

6 GST revenue 8

7 Determination of population of a State 10

8 GST revenue sharing relativity 10

8A Pool top-up for a payment year 10

Division 2—Other general revenue assistance 13

9 General purpose financial assistance 13

Part 2A—National skills and workforce development payments 15

12A National skills and workforce development payments 15

Part 3—National specific purpose payments 16

13 National specific purpose payments for disability services 16

Part 3A—National health reform payments 17

15A National health reform payments 17

Part 3B—Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters 18

15B Simplified outline of this Part 18

15C Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters—primary housing agreement and supplementary housing agreement 18

15D Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters—designated housing agreement 21

Part 3C—Temporary energy bill relief 22

15E Payments relating to temporary energy bill relief 22

15F Amount of financial assistance 23

Part 4—National partnership payments 24

16 National partnership payments 24

Part 5—Payment of grants 26

17 Advance payments for financial year 26

18 Overpayment or underpayment of grant 26

19 Minister may fix amounts, and times of payments, of financial assistance 27

20 Repayment if condition not fulfilled 27

Part 6—Miscellaneous 28

21 Minister to have regard to Intergovernmental Agreement and other agreements 28

22 Appropriation 29

23 Delegation 29

24 Regulations 29

Endnotes 30

Endnote 1—About the endnotes 30

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 32

Endnote 3—Legislation history 33

Endnote 4—Amendment history 36

An Act to provide financial assistance to the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, and for related purposes

 1 Preliminary
1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Federal Financial Relations Act 2009.
2 Commencement

This Act commences on 1 April 2009.
3 Object 1

The main object of this Act is to provide ongoing financial support for the delivery of services by the States, through:

 a

general revenue assistance, including the provision of GST revenue grants, to be used by the States for any purpose; and

 aa

payments to be spent by the States in accordance with a skills and workforce development agreement; and

 b

national specific purpose payments, to be spent by the States on certain service delivery sectors; and

 ba

national health reform payments, to be spent by the States in accordance with the National Health Reform Agreement; and

 bb

payments relating to:

 i

housing; and

 ii

homelessness; and

 iii

housing affordability matters;

to be spent by the States in accordance with:

 iv

a primary housing agreement and a supplementary housing agreement; or

 v

a designated housing agreement; and

 c

national partnership payments, to:

 i

support the delivery by the States of specified outputs or projects; or

 ii

facilitate reforms by the States; or

 iii

reward the States for nationally significant reforms.

 2

Another object of this Act is to provide financial support for the delivery by the States of temporary and targeted relief from high energy bills for households and small businesses.
4 Definitions

In this Act:

Appropriation Act means an Act appropriating money for expenditure out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

designated housing agreement means an agreement that: is entered into between the Commonwealth and one or more States; and relates to any or all of the following: housing; homelessness; housing affordability matters; and is expressed to be a designated housing agreement for the purposes of this Act; and is entered into before or after the commencement of Part 3B.

 a

is entered into between the Commonwealth and one or more States; and

 b

relates to any or all of the following:

 i

housing;

 ii

homelessness;

 iii

housing affordability matters; and

 c

is expressed to be a designated housing agreement for the purposes of this Act; and

 d

is entered into before or after the commencement of Part 3B.

estimated population of a State has the meaning given by section 7.

Federation Reform Fund means the Federation Reform Fund established by section 5 of the Federation Reform Fund Act 2008.

first indexation amount has the meaning given by subsections 8A(2) and (3).

general interest charge means the charge worked out under Part IIA of the Taxation Administration Act 1953.

GST has the same meaning as in the GST Act.

GST Act means the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999.

GST Imposition Acts means the following Acts: (a) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—Customs) Act 1999; (b) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—Excise) Act 1999; (c) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—General) Act 1999; (d) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—Customs) Act 2005; (e) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—Excise) Act 2005; (f) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—General) Act 2005.

 a

(a) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—Customs) Act 1999;

 b

(b) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—Excise) Act 1999;

 c

(c) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition—General) Act 1999;

 d

(d) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—Customs) Act 2005;

 e

(e) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—Excise) Act 2005;

 f

(f) the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax Imposition (Recipients)—General) Act 2005.

GST law has the same meaning as in the GST Act.

GST refund provision means a provision of a Commonwealth law the effect of which is to require the Commonwealth to refund some or all of an amount of GST that has been paid, whether or not the provision also applies in relation to other kinds of tax.

GST revenue has the meaning given by section 6.

GST revenue sharing relativity for a State for a payment year has the meaning given by section 8.

housing affordability matter means a matter that is likely to affect the affordability of housing.

Intergovernmental Agreement means the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations that took effect on 1 January 2009, as amended from time to time.

luxury car tax law has the meaning given by section 27-1 of the A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) Act 1999.

National Health Reform Agreement means the National Health Reform Agreement agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments on 2 August 2011, as amended from time to time.

payment year means:

Note: The Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations provides an overarching framework for financial transfers between the Commonwealth and the States and related collaboration on policy development and service delivery.

 a

the financial year starting on 1 July 2009; and

 b

each succeeding financial year.

These are described by a figure referring to 2 years (for example, the 2009-10 payment year is the payment year starting on 1 July 2009).

pool top-up has the meaning given by section 8A.

primary housing agreement means an agreement that: is entered into between the Commonwealth and one or more States; and relates to any or all of the following: housing; homelessness; housing affordability matters; and is expressed to be a primary housing agreement for the purposes of this Act; and is entered into before or after the commencement of Part 3B.

 a

is entered into between the Commonwealth and one or more States; and

 b

relates to any or all of the following:

 i

housing;

 ii

homelessness;

 iii

housing affordability matters; and

 c

is expressed to be a primary housing agreement for the purposes of this Act; and

 d

is entered into before or after the commencement of Part 3B.

second indexation amount has the meaning given by subsections 8A(4) and (5).

skills and workforce development agreement means:

 a

the National Skills Agreement that was entered into between the Commonwealth and the States and that took effect on 1 January 2024, as amended from time to time; or

 b

if the agreement referred to in paragraph (a) ceases to have effect—an agreement, as amended from time to time, that:

 i

is entered into between the Commonwealth and one or more States; and

 ii

relates to skills or workforce development, or both; and

 iii

is expressed to be a skills and workforce development agreement for the purposes of this Act; and

 iv

is entered into before or after the commencement of this paragraph.

State includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

supplementary housing agreement means an agreement that: is entered into between the Commonwealth and a single State; and relates to any or all of the following: housing; homelessness; housing affordability matters; and relates to: a single financial year; or each of 2 consecutive financial years; or each of 3 consecutive financial years; or each of 4 consecutive financial years; or each of 5 consecutive financial years; and is expressed to be a supplementary housing agreement for the purposes of this Act; and is entered into before or after the commencement of Part 3B.

 a

is entered into between the Commonwealth and a single State; and

 b

relates to any or all of the following:

 i

housing;

 ii

homelessness;

 iii

housing affordability matters; and

 c

relates to:

 i

a single financial year; or

 ii

each of 2 consecutive financial years; or

 iii

each of 3 consecutive financial years; or

 iv

each of 4 consecutive financial years; or

 v

each of 5 consecutive financial years; and

 d

is expressed to be a supplementary housing agreement for the purposes of this Act; and

 e

is entered into before or after the commencement of Part 3B.

temporary energy bill relief agreement means an agreement that: is entered into between the Commonwealth and one or more States; and relates to the delivery by the State or States of temporary relief from high energy bills for households and small businesses; and provides that the State or States must not deliver that relief to a household or small business unless criteria specified in the agreement in relation to the household or small business are met; and is expressed to be a temporary energy bill relief agreement for the purposes of this Act; and is entered into on or after 9 December 2022.

 a

is entered into between the Commonwealth and one or more States; and

 b

relates to the delivery by the State or States of temporary relief from high energy bills for households and small businesses; and

 c

provides that the State or States must not deliver that relief to a household or small business unless criteria specified in the agreement in relation to the household or small business are met; and

 d

is expressed to be a temporary energy bill relief agreement for the purposes of this Act; and

 e

is entered into on or after 9 December 2022.

wine equalisation tax law has the meaning given by section 33-1 of the A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999.
2 General revenue assistance 1 GST revenue grants
5 GST revenue grants 1

Subject to this Act, each State is entitled to the payment, by way of financial assistance, for a payment year, of a grant worked out using the formula:

where:

adjusted State population means the estimated population of the State on 31 December in the payment year (see section 7) multiplied by the GST revenue sharing relativity (see section 8) for the State for that year.

adjusted total population means the sum of the adjusted State populations of all of the States for the payment year.

GST revenue means the GST revenue for the payment year (see section 6).

pool top-up means the pool top-up for the payment year (see section 8A).

Additional financial assistance for transitional payment years

 2

In this section:

transitional year means the 2021-22 payment year, the 2022-23 payment year, the 2023-24 payment year, the 2024-25 payment year, the 2025-26 payment year or the 2026-27 payment year.

 3

If the sum of:

 a

(a) the amount of the grant to which a State is entitled under subsection (1) for a transitional year (the base year); and

 b

the amount of the grant to which the State is entitled under subsection (1) for each transitional year (if any) before the base year; and

 c

the amount of the grant (if any) to which the State is entitled under this subsection for each transitional year (if any) before the base year;

is less than the sum of the amounts of the grants to which the State would, in the Minister’s opinion, have been entitled for the base year, and each transitional year (if any) before the base year, under this section if the Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Every State and Territory Gets Their Fair Share of GST) Act 2018 had not been enacted, the State is entitled, subject to this Act, to the payment, by way of additional financial assistance for the base year, of a grant equal to the difference.

 4

The Minister must, in forming an opinion under subsection (3):

 a

consult with each of the States; and

 b

have regard to any report of the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Minister considers relevant.
6 GST revenue 1

The Minister must, by notifiable instrument, determine the amounts described in subsections (3) and (4) for a payment year.

 2

(2) The GST revenue for a payment year is the difference between:

 a

the sum of all the amounts described in subsection (3) and determined for the payment year; and

 b

the amount described in subsection (4) and determined for the payment year.

 3

For the purposes of paragraph (2)(a) the amounts are:

 a

the amount that is the total of the following:

 i

the GST that was collected;

 ii

the payments made to the Commissioner of Taxation representing amounts of GST that would have been payable if the Constitution did not prevent tax from being imposed on property of any kind belonging to a State and section 5 of the GST Imposition Acts had not been enacted;

 iii

the additional GST that would have been collected if the Commonwealth and Commonwealth entities could be made subject to taxation by a Commonwealth law and section 177-1 of the GST Act made those entities actually liable rather than notionally liable; and

 b

the amount of general interest charge that was collected to the extent that it is attributable to:

 i

unpaid GST; or

 ii

unpaid general interest charge payable in respect of unpaid GST; and

 c

the amount, determined in a manner agreed by the Commonwealth and all of the States, that represents amounts of voluntary GST payments that should have, but have not, been paid by local government bodies.

 4

For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b) the amount is the total of the following, so far as each of them is attributable to GST:

 a

payments under the GST refund provisions;

 b

(b) what was payable under the GST refund provisions and was (rather than being paid directly under those provisions) allocated, applied or refunded in accordance with Taxation Administration Act 1953.Part IIB of the

5

In making determinations for the purposes of this section, the Minister must make such adjustments as are necessary to ensure that any effect that the luxury car tax law or wine equalisation tax law would otherwise have on the amounts of GST, and the amounts attributable to GST, is removed.
7 Determination of population of a State

The estimated population of a State on 31 December in a payment year is the population of the State on that date as determined by the Australian Statistician after that date and before 31 August in the following payment year.
8 GST revenue sharing relativity 1

(1) The Minister may determine that a factor specified in the determination is the GST revenue sharing relativity for a State for a payment year.

 2

Before making a determination under subsection (1), the Minister must consult each of the States.

 2A

A factor determined under subsection (1) for a State for the 2022-23 payment year or the 2023-24 payment year must be greater than or equal to 0.7.

 2B

A factor determined under subsection (1) for a State for the 2024-25 payment year or a later payment year must be greater than or equal to 0.75.

 3

(3) A determination under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

8A Pool top-up for a payment year 1

(1) The pool top-up for a payment year is worked out using this table:
Pool top-up for a payment year Pool top-up for a payment year Pool top-up for a payment year
Item For this payment year: The pool top-up is:
1 the 2020-21 payment year or an earlier payment year $0
2 the 2021-22 payment year $600 million
3 the 2022-23 payment year the sum of: (a) $600 million; and (b) the first indexation amount for that payment year
4 the 2023-24 payment year the sum of: (a) $600 million; and (b) the first indexation amount for that payment year
5 the 2024-25 payment year the sum of: (a) $850 million; and (b) the first indexation amount for that payment year
6 the 2025-26 payment year or a later payment year the sum of: (a) $850 million; and (b) the first indexation amount for that payment year; and (c) the second indexation amount for that payment year
2

(2) The first indexation amount for a payment year (the current year) is the greater of:

 a

the amount worked out using the formula in subsection (3); and

 b

if the current year is the 2023-24 payment year or a later payment year—the first indexation amount for the last payment year before the current year; and

 c

otherwise—$0.

 3

The formula for paragraph (2)(a) is:

where:

GST revenue for current year is the GST revenue for the current year.

GST revenue for 2021-22 is the GST revenue for the 2021-22 payment year.

 4

(4) The second indexation amount for a payment year (the current year) is the greater of:

 a

the amount worked out using the formula in subsection (5); and

 b

if the current year is the 2026-27 payment year or a later payment year—the second indexation amount for the last payment year before the current year; and

 c

otherwise—$0.

 5

The formula for paragraph (4)(a) is:

where:

GST revenue for current year is the GST revenue for the current year.

GST revenue for 2024-25 is the GST revenue for the 2024-25 payment year.
2 Other general revenue assistance
9 General purpose financial assistance 1

The Minister may determine that an amount specified in the determination is to be paid to a State specified in the determination for the purpose of making a grant of general purpose financial assistance to the State.

 2

If the Minister determines an amount under subsection (1):

 a

that amount must be credited to the Federation Reform Fund; and

 b

the Minister must ensure that, as soon as practicable after the amount is credited, the Federation Reform Fund is debited for the purposes of making the grant.

 3

(3) Despite subsection (2), if an Appropriation Act relating to a financial year declares that a specified amount is the debit limit for the financial year for the purposes of this section:

 a

the total amount credited to the Federation Reform Fund under paragraph (2)(a) during the financial year; and

 b

the total amount debited from the Federation Reform Fund during the financial year for the purposes of making such grants;

must not exceed that specified amount.

 4

(4) Despite subsection (2), if, for a financial year, no Appropriation Act relating to the financial year declares that a specified amount is the debit limit for the financial year for the purposes of this section:

 a

amounts must not be credited to the Federation Reform Fund under paragraph (2)(a) during the financial year; and

 b

amounts must not be debited from the Federation Reform Fund during the financial year for the purposes of making such grants.

 5

(5) A determination under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

2A National skills and workforce development payments
12A National skills and workforce development payments

Scope

 1

This section applies to a State in relation to a financial year if:

 a

the State is a party to a skills and workforce development agreement; and

 b

the financial year is the 2024-25 financial year or a later financial year.

Determination

 2

The Minister may determine that an amount specified in the determination is to be paid to the State for the purpose of making a grant of financial assistance for the financial year for the purpose of expenditure in accordance with the skills and workforce development agreement.

 3

(3) A determination under subsection (2) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

Terms and conditions

 4

Financial assistance is payable to the State under this section for the financial year on condition that the financial assistance is spent in accordance with the skills and workforce development agreement.

 5

Financial assistance payable to the State under this section is subject to such additional terms and conditions (if any) as are set out in the skills and workforce development agreement.
3 National specific purpose payments
13 National specific purpose payments for disability services 1

Financial assistance is payable in accordance with this section to a State, for the financial year starting on 1 July 2008 and for each later financial year, for the purpose of expenditure on disability services.

 2

The total amount of all financial assistance payable under subsection (1) to the States for a financial year is:

 a

for the financial year starting on 1 July 2008—the amount determined by the Minister; or

 b

for the financial year starting on 1 July 2009—$903,686,000; or

 c

for a later financial year—the total amount under this subsection for the preceding financial year, adjusted in accordance with subsection (4).

 3

(3) A determination under paragraph (2)(a) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

4

The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine the manner in which the total amount under paragraph (2)(c) is to be adjusted for a particular financial year. The determination must include a statement of the total amount for that financial year.

 5

The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine, for each financial year, the manner in which the total amount under subsection (2) is to be divided between the States.

 6

Financial assistance is payable to a State under this section on condition that the financial assistance is spent on disability services.
3A National health reform payments
15A National health reform payments 1

The Minister may determine that an amount specified in the determination is to be paid to a State specified in the determination for the purpose of making a grant of financial assistance for the purpose of expenditure in accordance with the National Health Reform Agreement.

 2

(2) A determination under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

3

Financial assistance is payable to a State under this section on condition that the financial assistance is spent in accordance with the National Health Reform Agreement.
3B Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters
15B Simplified outline of this Part

• Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters may be made to a State if the State is a party to:

 a

a primary housing agreement; and

 b

a supplementary housing agreement.

• Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters may be made to a State if the State is a party to a designated housing agreement.
15C Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters—primary housing agreement and supplementary housing agreement

Scope

 1

This section applies to a State in relation to a financial year if the State is a party to:

 a

a primary housing agreement; and

 b

a supplementary housing agreement that relates to the financial year.

Determination

 2

The Minister may determine that an amount specified in the determination is to be paid to the State for the purpose of making a grant of financial assistance for the financial year for the purpose of expenditure in accordance with:

 a

the primary housing agreement; and

 b

the supplementary housing agreement.

 3

(3) A determination under subsection (2) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

Terms and conditions

 4

Financial assistance is payable to the State under this section for the financial year on condition that the financial assistance is spent in accordance with:

 a

the primary housing agreement; and

 b

the supplementary housing agreement.

 5

Financial assistance is payable to the State under this section for the financial year on condition that, at all times during the period ascertained in accordance with the primary housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement, the State will:

 a

have a housing strategy for the State that:

 i

indicates the level of housing supply needed to respond to projected housing demand, and outlines the reforms and initiatives that contribute to meeting this need; and

 ii

includes such other matters (if any) as are specified in the primary housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement; and

 b

so far as is reasonably practicable to do so—make the housing strategy available on a publicly accessible website.

 6

Financial assistance is payable to the State under this section for the financial year on condition that, at all times during the period ascertained in accordance with the primary housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement, the State will:

 a

have a homelessness strategy for the State that:

 i

addresses the priority homelessness cohorts identified in the primary housing agreement; and

 ii

includes reforms or initiatives that contribute to a reduction in the incidence of homelessness; and

 iii

includes such other matters (if any) as are specified in the primary housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement; and

 b

so far as is reasonably practicable to do so—make the homelessness strategy available on a publicly accessible website.

 7

Financial assistance is payable to the State under this section for the financial year on condition that, for each $1 paid to the State under this section for the financial year in relation to homelessness, the State will spend during the financial year, out of its own resources, $1 in relation to homelessness.

 8

Financial assistance is payable to the State under this section for the financial year on condition that the State will:

 a

give the Minister such information (if any) relating to any or all of the following:

 i

housing;

 ii

homelessness;

 iii

housing affordability matters;

as is specified in the primary housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement; and

 b

do so in the manner, and within the period, ascertained in accordance with the primary housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement, as the case requires.

 9

The following are matters for the State:

 a

the accuracy (or likely accuracy) of the level of housing supply indicated in the housing strategy mentioned in subsection (5);

 b

the quality or effectiveness (or likely quality or effectiveness) of the reforms and initiatives included in that housing strategy;

 c

the quality or effectiveness (or likely quality or effectiveness) of the reforms or initiatives included in the homelessness strategy mentioned in subsection (6).
15D Payments relating to housing, homelessness and housing affordability matters—designated housing agreement 1

The Minister may determine that an amount specified in the determination is to be paid to a State specified in the determination for the purpose of making a grant of financial assistance for the purpose of expenditure in accordance with a designated housing agreement to which the State is a party.

 2

(2) A determination under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

3

Financial assistance is payable to a State under this section on condition that the financial assistance is spent in accordance with the designated housing agreement.

 4

Financial assistance payable to a State under this section is subject to such additional terms and conditions (if any) as are set out in the designated housing agreement.
3C Temporary energy bill relief
15E Payments relating to temporary energy bill relief

Scope

 1

This section applies to a State in relation to a financial year if:

 a

the State is a party to a temporary energy bill relief agreement; and

 b

the financial year is the 2022-23 or 2023-24 financial year.

Determination

 2

The Minister must determine that an amount specified in the determination is to be paid to the State for the purpose of making a grant of financial assistance for the financial year for the purpose of expenditure in accordance with the temporary energy bill relief agreement.

 3

(3) A determination under subsection (2) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

Terms and conditions

 4

Financial assistance is payable to the State under this section for the financial year on condition that the financial assistance is spent in accordance with the temporary energy bill relief agreement.

 5

Financial assistance payable to the State under this section is subject to such additional terms and conditions (if any) as are set out in the temporary energy bill relief agreement.
15F Amount of financial assistance

Subject to the temporary energy bill relief agreements, the amount of financial assistance payable under this Part to the States is $1.5 billion.
4 National partnership payments
16 National partnership payments 1

The Minister may determine that an amount specified in the determination is to be paid to a State specified in the determination for the purpose of making a grant of financial assistance to:

 a

support the delivery by the State of specified outputs or projects; or

 b

facilitate reforms by the State; or

 c

reward the State for nationally significant reforms.

 2

If the Minister determines an amount under subsection (1):

 a

that amount must be credited to the Federation Reform Fund; and

 b

the Minister must ensure that, as soon as practicable after the amount is credited, the Federation Reform Fund is debited for the purposes of making the grant.

 3

(3) Despite subsection (2), if an Appropriation Act relating to a financial year declares that a specified amount is the debit limit for the financial year for the purposes of this section:

 a

the total amount credited to the Federation Reform Fund under paragraph (2)(a) during the financial year; and

 b

the total amount debited from the Federation Reform Fund during the financial year for the purposes of making such grants;

must not exceed that specified amount.

 4

(4) Despite subsection (2), if, for a financial year, no Appropriation Act relating to the financial year declares that a specified amount is the debit limit for the financial year for the purposes of this section:

 a

amounts must not be credited to the Federation Reform Fund under paragraph (2)(a) during the financial year; and

 b

amounts must not be debited from the Federation Reform Fund during the financial year for the purposes of making such grants.

 5

(5) A determination under subsection (1) is a legislative instrument, but Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.section 42 (disallowance) of the

5 Payment of grants
17 Advance payments for financial year

The Minister may make advances to a State of portions of the amount or amounts to which, it appears to the Minister, the State will be entitled under:

 a

section 5; or

 b

a provision of Part 2A, 3, 3A, 3B or 3C;

for a financial year.
18 Overpayment or underpayment of grant 1

If a State has been paid an amount in excess of the amount that, under:

 a

section 5; or

 b

a provision of Part 2A, 3, 3A, 3B or 3C;

it was entitled to receive by way of financial assistance for a financial year, the Minister must deduct an amount equal to the excess from any amount that the State is entitled to receive by way of financial assistance under that provision for the first practicable subsequent financial year.

 2

If a State has been paid less than the amount that, under:

 a

section 5; or

 b

a provision of Part 2A, 3, 3A, 3B or 3C;

it was entitled to receive by way of financial assistance for a financial year, the Minister must add an amount equal to the shortfall to any amount that the State is entitled to receive by way of financial assistance under that provision for the first practicable subsequent financial year.
19 Minister may fix amounts, and times of payments, of financial assistance 1

Financial assistance payable to a State under this Act is to be paid in such amounts, and at such times, as the Minister determines in writing.

 2

A determination made under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.
20 Repayment if condition not fulfilled 1

It is a condition of a payment of financial assistance under this Act to a State that, if the State does not fulfil a condition in respect of the payment, the State will, if the Minister so determines, repay to the Commonwealth the amount stated in the determination.

 2

The amount stated in the determination under subsection (1) must not be more than the amount of the payment.

 3

A determination made under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

 4

If:

 a

a payment of financial assistance has, during a financial year, been made to a State under this Act; and

 b

the Minister has determined under subsection (1) that the State must repay an amount in respect of the payment; and

 c

the State has not repaid the amount;

the Minister may deduct an amount equal to the amount unpaid from any amount that the State is entitled to receive by way of financial assistance under this Act for a subsequent financial year.

 5

An amount payable by a State to the Commonwealth under this Act is a debt due by the State to the Commonwealth.
6 Miscellaneous
21 Minister to have regard to Intergovernmental Agreement and other agreements

In making a determination under this Act, the Minister must have regard to:

 a

the Intergovernmental Agreement; and

 aaa

if:

 i

the determination relates to financial assistance to a State under section 12A; and

 ii

the State is a party to a skills and workforce development agreement;

the skills and workforce development agreement; and

 aa

if the determination relates to financial assistance under section 13 or 15A—the National Health Reform Agreement; and

 ab

if:

 i

the determination relates to financial assistance to a State under section 15C; and

 ii

the State is a party to a primary housing agreement or a supplementary housing agreement;

the primary housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement, as the case may be; and

 ac

if:

 i

the determination relates to financial assistance to a State under section 15D; and

 ii

the State is a party to a designated housing agreement;

the designated housing agreement; and

 ad

if:

 i

the determination relates to financial assistance to a State under section 15E; and

 ii

the State is a party to a temporary energy bill relief agreement;

the temporary energy bill relief agreement; and

 b

if the determination relates to financial assistance to one or more States—any other written agreement between the Commonwealth and one or more States that relates to that financial assistance.
22 Appropriation

Payments under Division 1 of Part 2, Part 2A, Part 3, Part 3A, Part 3B, Part 3C or Part 5 are to be made out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.
23 Delegation 1

The Minister may, by writing, delegate any or all of his or her powers under section 17 or 19 to an SES employee, or acting SES employee, in the Department.

Note: The expressions SES employee and acting SES employee are defined in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

 2

In exercising powers under a delegation, the delegate must comply with any directions of the Minister.
24 Regulations

The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters:

 a

required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

 b

necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key— E ndnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history— E ndnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under Legislation Act 2003.section 15V of the

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted o = order(s)
am = amended Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment orig = original
c = clause(s) par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x /sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s) pres = present
def = definition(s) prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary (prev…) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s) r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have renum = renumbered
effect rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003 Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s) commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3—Legislation history
Act Number and year Assent Commencement Application, saving and transitional provisions
Federal Financial Relations Act 2009 11, 2009 26 Mar 2009 1 Apr 2009 (s 2)
Financial Assistance Legislation Amendment Act 2009 36, 2009 27 May 2009 Sch 1 (item 1): 27 May 2009 (s 2) —
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011 46, 2011 27 June 2011 Sch 2 (item 597) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 (s 2(1) items 3, 12) Sch 3 (items 10, 11)
Federal Financial Relations Amendment (National Health Reform) Act 2012 61, 2012 25 June 2012 Sch 1 (items 1, 3, 4) and Sch 3: 26 June 2012 (s 2(1) items 2, 2B, 4) Remainder: 25 June 2012 (s 2(1) items 1, 2A, 2C, 3) Sch 1 (item 6), Sch 2 (item 7) and Sch 3 (item 2)
Australian Education (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2013 68, 2013 27 June 2013 Sch 1 (items 1–4) and Sch 2: 1 Jan 2014 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 1 (item 4) and Sch 2
as amended by
Australian Education Amendment Act 2017 78, 2017 27 June 2017 Sch 1 (item 108): 1 Jan 2018 (s 2(1) item 4) Sch 1 (item 109): 27 June 2017 (s 2(1) item 5) Sch 1 (item 109)
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014 62, 2014 30 June 2014 Sch 9 (items 29–32) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14) Sch 9 (item 32) and Sch 14
as amended by
Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015 36, 2015 13 Apr 2015 Sch 2 (items 7–9) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2) Sch 7
as amended by
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 126, 2015 10 Sept 2015 Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) —
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 126, 2015 10 Sept 2015 Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) —
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 126, 2015 10 Sept 2015 Sch 1 (item 227): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2) —
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Act 2018 16, 2018 28 Mar 2018 1 July 2018 (s 2(1) item 1) Sch 1 (item 10)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Sure Every State and Territory Gets Their Fair Share of GST) Act 2018 143, 2018 29 Nov 2018 Sch 1 (items 2–7): 30 Nov 2018 (s 2(1) item 2) Sch 1 (item 7)
Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Measures No. 3) Act 2020 64, 2020 22 June 2020 Sch 3 (items 170, 171, 325, 326): 1 Oct 2020 (s 2(1) item 6) Sch 3 (items 325, 326)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Energy Price Relief Plan) Act 2022 96, 2022 16 Dec 2022 Sch 2: 17 Dec 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) —
COAG Legislation Amendment Act 2024 54, 2024 5 July 2024 Sch 1 (items 14, 15, 29, 50, 51): 6 July 2024 (s 2(1) item 2) —
Treasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Act 2024 138, 2024 10 Dec 2024 Sch 6: 11 Dec 2024 (s 2(1) item 9) Sch 6 (items 8–11)

Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected How affected
Part 1
s 3 am No 61, 2012; No 16, 2018; No 96, 2022; No 138, 2024
s 4 am No 61, 2012; No 62, 2014; No 16, 2018; No 143, 2018; No 96, 2022; No 54, 2024; No 138, 2024
Part 2
Division 1
s 5 rs No 143, 2018
s 6 am No 61, 2012; No 64, 2020
s 8 am No 126, 2015; No 143, 2018
s 8A ad No 143, 2018
Division 2
s 9 am No 36, 2009; No 62, 2014; No 126, 2015; No 54, 2024
Part 2A
Part 2A ad No 138, 2024
12A ad No 138, 2024
Part 3
s 10 rep No 61, 2012
s 11 rep No 68, 2013
s 12 am No 68, 2013; No 126, 2015
rep No 138, 2024
s 13 am No 61, 2012; No 68, 2013; No 126, 2015
s 14 am No 68, 2013; No 126, 2015
rep No 16, 2018
s 15 rep No 68, 2013
Part 3A
Part 3A ad No 61, 2012
s 15A ad No 61, 2012; No 126, 2015
Part 3B
Part 3B ad No 16, 2018
s 15B ad No 16, 2018
s 15C ad No 16, 2018
s 15D ad No 16, 2018
Part 3C
Part 3C ad No 96, 2022
s 15E ad No 96, 2022
s 15F ad No 96, 2022
Part 4
s 16 am No 62, 2014; No 126, 2015; No 54, 2024
Part 5
s 17 am No 61, 2012; No 16, 2018; No 96, 2022; No 138, 2024
s 18 am No 61, 2012; No 16, 2018; No 96, 2022; No 138, 2024
Part 6
s 21 am No 61, 2012; No 16, 2018; No 143, 2018; No 96, 2022; No 138, 2024
s 22 am No 61, 2012; No 16, 2018; No 96, 2022; No 138, 2024
s 23 am No 46, 2011