Scrutiny of Commonwealth expenditure

The Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Act 1997 (FF(SP) Act) and the Industry Research and Development Act 1986 (IRD Act) authorise the Commonwealth to spend public money on grants and programs specified in instruments made under those Acts. The scrutiny of such instruments is a key aspect of parliamentary scrutiny and control of Commonwealth expenditure.

To facilitate such scrutiny, chapter 3 of each Delegated Legislation Monitor outlines the nature and extent of Commonwealth expenditure that is authorised by the FF(SP) Act and the IRD Act, and specified in delegated legislation made under those Acts.

The committee will write to relevant legislation committees under Senate standing order 23(4) to alert those committees to the instruments related to the portfolios allocated to them.

Information on the total amount and duration of expenditure for a grant or program is based on descriptions provided in the explanatory statements to the instruments. This may not reflect the final amount or duration of actual Commonwealth expenditure on the grant or program.

Please note that instruments will only appear on the above pages once they have been considered and reported on by the committee. As a result, the instruments listed are those registered on the Federal Register of Legislation between 21 November 2019 and 28 May 2020.

For a complete, up-to-date list of all instruments specifying Commonwealth expenditure under the FF(SP) Act or IRD Act, please see the Federal Register of Legislation.

Grant or Program	Instrument	Total amount	Duration	Portfolio Committee	Portfolio Department
Australian Training Awards	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01310]	$1.1 million	Per financial year, with current funding levels in place until 2023-24	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
Boosting Female Founders Initiative Program	Industry Research and Development (Boosting Female Founders Initiative Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01467]	$54 million	Over five years from 2020–21 to 2024–25	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Building Energy Efficiency Program	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01573]	$39.1 million	Over five years from 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Bushfire Recovery for Species and Landscapes—Tranche 2 Emergency Intervention Fund	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01309]	$149.7 million	Over two years from 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
BusinessBalance Program	Industry Research and Development (BusinessBalance Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01345]	$6.5 million, comprised of a grant to Beyond Blue of up to $4.26 million and a grant to Deakin University of up to $2.24 million	Maximum	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
Coronavirus economic response—pandemic leave disaster payments	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Home Affairs Measures No. 1) Regulations 2021 [F2021L00129]	$34.3 million	In 2020-21	Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee Senate Select Committee on COVID-19	Home Affairs
COVID‑19 Consumer Travel Support Program	Industry Research and Development (COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01594]	$128 million	In 2020-21	Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee	Foreign Affairs and Trade
Cyber Security Business Connect and Protect Program	Industry Research and Development (Cyber Security Business Connect and Protect Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01438]	$8.3 million	Over two years from 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Digital Directors Program	Industry Research and Development (Digital Directors Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01554]	Not specified	Not specified	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Digital Readiness Assessment Tool Program	Industry Research and Development (Digital Readiness Assessment Tool Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01439]	$2.4 million	In 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Digital Skills Finder Platform Program	Industry Research and Development (Digital Skills Finder Platform Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01463]	$2.5 million	In 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Disability Royal Commission and Other Support Services	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Social Services Measures No. 4) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01314]	$117 million	Over three years from 2019-20	Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee	Social Services
Exploring for the Future Program	Industry Research and Development (Exploring for the Future Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01299]	$124.5 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Extended New Enterprise Incentive Scheme—COVID‑19 response	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 7) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01360]	$5.7 million	Over two years from 2020-21	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Senate Select Committee on COVID-19	Education, Skills and Employment
Ferretti International Whyalla Steel Processing and Galvanising Plant Program	Industry Research and Development (Ferretti International Whyalla Steel Processing and Galvanising Plant Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01618]	$15 million	In 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Financial counselling for small regional businesses affected by drought, bushfires or COVID‑19	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01309]	$12.8 million	Over two years from 2019-20	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Grant for national food waste governance entity	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01309]	Up to $4 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Hotel Energy Uplift Program	Industry Research and Development (Hotel Energy Uplift Program) Instrument 2021 [F2021L00095]	$12 million	In 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Hydrogen Export Hub Program	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01573]	$73.9 million	Over six years from 2019-20	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program—Sustainment Grants	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Defence Measures No. 1) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01564]	$4 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee	Defence
Moon to Mars Program	Industry Research and Development (Moon to Mars Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01558]	$150 million	Over five years from 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing—Online Resources	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Treasury Measures No. 3) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01575]	$0.25 million	In 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Treasury
Murray‑Darling Basin Water Information Platform	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 7) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01574]	$5.4 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Home Affairs Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01589]	$10.6 million	Over five years from 2020-21	Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee	Home Affairs
National Careers Institute—Digital Platform	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01310]	$9.4 million	Over five years from 2019-20	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
National Forest Industries Plan—Online Resources	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 7) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01574]	$0.5 million	In 2020-21	Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
National identity crime and cybercrime support service	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Home Affairs Measures No. 5) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01313]	$6.1 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee	Home Affairs
National Microcredentials Marketplace	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 8) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01585]	$4.3 million	Over three years from 2020-21	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
National Training System Commonwealth Own Purpose Expenditure Program	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01310]	$107.1 million	Over three years from 2020-21	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
Northern Endeavour Temporary Operations Program	Industry Research and Development (Northern Endeavour Temporary Operations Program) Amendment Instrument 2020 [F2020L01611]	$75.4 million	Over two years from 2019-20	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Online toolkit to promote the financial capability of young Australians	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Treasury Measures No. 4) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01578]	$10 million	Over two years from 2020-21	Senate Economics Legislation Committee	Treasury
Pacific Labour Mobility: Safeguarding Welfare of Workers (Community Connections)	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 8) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01585]	$1 million	Over three years from 2020-21	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
Home Care Transition Fund	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01587]	$5.3 million	Over two years from 2020-21	Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee	Health
PaTH Business Placement Partnerships	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01310]	$11.9 million	Over three years from 2019-20	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
Powering Communities Program	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01573]	$12 million	Over three years from 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Reef Builder—the coastal communities recovery project	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 7) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01574]	$20 million	In 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job Program	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 7) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01360]	$17.4 million	Over two years from 2020-21 for the program, including $15.4 million for the program modification	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Senate Select Committee on COVID-19	Education, Skills and Employment
Restoring native aquatic animals in the Murray‑Darling Basin and providing employment for Indigenous Australians	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 7) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01574]	$10 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Seniors Connected—Village Hubs	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Social Services Measures No. 4) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01314]	$4.7 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee	Social Services
Support for Australia’s Thalidomide Survivors	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health Measures No. 5) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01312]	$44.9 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee	Health
Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program	Industry Research and Development (Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01401]	$39.025 million	In 2020-21	Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee Senate Select Committee on COVID-19	Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Supporting Small Business to Go Digital Post-COVID-19 Program	Industry Research and Development (Supporting Small Business to Go Digital Post-COVID-19 Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01413]	$7.47 million	In 2020–21	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Senate Select Committee on COVID-19	Education, Skills and Employment
Technology Co‑Investment Fund	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Measures No. 2) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01573]	$20.1 million	Over six years from 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Tertiary Access Payment for Outer Regional and Remote School Leavers	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 8) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01585]	$177.8 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
Grants to support a company established to strengthen the national education evidence base for school and early childhood education	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Education, Skills and Employment Measures No. 5) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01280]	$25 million (Commonwealth government contribution)	Over three years from 2020-21	Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee	Education, Skills and Employment
Thermochemical Conversion Technology Trial Facility Program	Industry Research and Development (Thermochemical Conversion Technology Trial Facility Program) Instrument 2020 [F2020L01425]	$8 million	In 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee	Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Tracking Waste Program	Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Agriculture, Water and the Environment Measures No. 6) Regulations 2020 [F2020L01309]	$24.6 million	Over four years from 2020-21	Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee	Agriculture, Water and the Environment

Scrutiny of Commonwealth expenditure

About this committee

Committee Secretariat contact: