The State Grants Commission (the Commission) is an independent statutory body that was established by State legislation, the
State Grants Commission Act 1976. The primary function of the Commission is to make recommendations to the Treasurer concerning the distribution of Australian Government financial assistance grants (FA Grants) to Tasmania's 29 councils consistent with the requirements in the Australian Government's
Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995. The Australian Government financial assistance consists of two components: a General Purpose (Base Grant) component and an Identified Local Road (Road Grant) component. The Australian Government determines each state's share of the Base Grant pool based on population share, while the Road Grant pool is based on historically agreed proportions. Both components of the grant are untied, allowing each council to spend its grant according to local priorities.
Each financial year, the Australian Government provides estimated grant pools on which the Commission bases its recommendations. The Australian Government also finalises each state's grant entitlements for the previous year based on final population figures and the movements in the Consumer Price Index.
The estimated grant pools for the 2024-25 year, as well as the finalised grant pools for the two previous years, are as follows:
|
Base Grant Component |
Road Grant Component |
Total |
2024-25 (estimate)
| $48 383 968
| $53 376 601 | $101 760 569 |
2023-24 (final)
| $48 180 922
| $50 854 152
| $99 035 074
|
2022-23 (final)
| $42 454 990
| $44 678 233
|
$87 133 223 |
Full details of the Commission's activities are provided in the Commission's Annual Reports. The most recent Annual Report is for 2022-23, titled State Grants Commission 2022-23 Annual Report, including 2023-24 Financial Assistance Grant Recommendations (Report Number 47).
These Annual Reports include the Commission's recommendations for the allocation of the FA Grants for the following year, and details of the Heavy Vehicle Motor Tax Revenue recommendations. They can be found, on the Publications page, together with the data tables and other publications of the Commission.
Administrative support for the Commission is provided by the Department of Treasury and Finance. All costs associated with the administration of the Commission including Commissioner's remuneration and travel expenses are met by the Department, and are not deducted from the grant pools.
All enquiries regarding the activities of, or methodology used by, the Commission should be directed to the contact below: