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 is provided in two parts: a Base Grant (general purpose) component and a 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 based on historically agreed proportions. Despite their source names, FA Grants are provided to councils as untied, general revenue and can be spent as councils choose, and not according to their funding source names.
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 2022-23 year, as well as the finalised grant pools for the two previous years, are as follows:
| |
Base Grant Component |
Road Grant Component |
Total |
2022-23
| $41 623 840
| $45 879 176 | $87 503 016 |
2021-22
| $38 783 248
| $43 277 863
| $82 061 111
|
2020-21
| $37 293 018
| $41 695 489
|
$78 988 507 |
Full details of the Commission's activities are provided in the Commission's Annual Reports. The most recent Annual Report is for 2021-22, titled State Grants Commission 2021-22 Annual Report, including
2022-23 Financial Assistance Grant Recommendations (Report Number 46 ).
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 stipends, wages, meeting costs and travel expenses are met by the Department, and are not deducted from the grant pools.
The role of Executive Officer of the Commission is based within the Intergovernment and Financial Policy Branch of the Department of Treasury and Finance. Enquiries regarding the activities of, or methodology used by, the Commission should be directed to the contact below.