The NSW Government is committed to grants programs that are transparent and in the public interest.

The Guide provides an overview of the grants administration process, overarching principles that apply to all NSW Government grants, and mandatory requirements that must be complied with when administering grants.

Agencies and Ministerial offices must implement grants administration processes and practices consistent with the principles and mandatory requirements in the Guide. Where a financial arrangement is not defined as a grant, and therefore is not required to be administered in accordance with the Guide, Ministers, officials and Ministerial staff are encouraged to seek to apply the principles and requirements of the Guide as a matter of best practice, where possible.

The Guide was first issued on 19 September 2022 under Premier’s Memorandum M2022-07 Grants Administration Guide, and gazetted on that day. Since gazettal, compliance with the Guide has been a legal requirement under the Government Sector Finance Act 2018 (NSW) (GSF Act).

This Memorandum issues an updated version of the Guide. The Guide in this form applies prospectively to all grants activities undertaken on and from the date of gazettal of the Guide on 18 March 2024. Grants activities undertaken in connection with grants programs that were already underway before that date are required to adhere to the requirements under the updated Guide for the remainder of the grants administration process.

The Guide requires agencies to publish certain information about grants on the NSW Government’s Grants and Funding Finder website at www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding, which is managed by the Department of Customer Service. Agencies should ensure that all relevant information regarding grants is published in line with the requirements of the Guide.

The Cabinet Office (TCO), in consultation with a cross-agency Community of Practice convened by TCO, is responsible for developing resources to support compliance with the Guide and exploring opportunities for collaboration across government to improve the timing and coordination of grant opportunities.

Chief Audit Executives are to ensure their agency’s internal audit program includes regular audits of grant programs to monitor and assess compliance with the Guide. The frequency of audits should be proportionate to the value and risk of grants activity undertaken by the agency.

Chris Minns MP
Premier