The Commonwealth Grants Commission is an Australian government body that advises the Australian Government (Commonwealth, Federal) on financial assistance to the states and territories of Australia with the aim of achieving full Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation, a central feature of the Australian federation since 1933.
The Commission responds to terms of reference from the Federal Treasurer. These are generally requests for calculating appropriate ratios of per capita grants for distributing general revenue assistance from the Australian Government to the states and territories. The details of these references are usually negotiated between the Commonwealth, state and territory treasury departments before being formally issued by the Treasurer.
The Commission reports to the Commonwealth Government and immediately after provides copies to the states and territories. The Commission's recommendations are then considered at the annual meetings of the Treasurers of the Commonwealth, state and territory.
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