4.1 Changes to terms and conditions
The most significant changes to service agreements for the 2009-2012 three year service agreement cycle are:
- standard terms and conditions written in plain English;
- service agreements will be delivered online via the Funded Agency Channel; and
- organisations with an existing funding relationship with the department will not be required to sign paper copies of the service agreement or variations.
The department will work with sector representatives through the Human Services Partnership Implementation Committee (HSPIC) to review and continue to refine a range of service agreement business processes.
Signing service agreements
Effective 1 July 2009, organisations with an existing funding and service delivery relationship with DHS and/or DH and/or DEECD will not be required to physically sign their new 2009-12 service agreement or any subsequent variations to the service agreement. They are still, however, required to agree to the service agreement and any variations to the service agreement.
Where an organisation does not have an existing funding and service delivery relationship with DHS and/or DH and/or DEECD, or there has been a break in service delivery (service agreement periods), a new service agreement must be established and signed by all parties. Organisations are required to sign the service agreement or variation prior to the department signing the service agreement or variation.
Where an organisation requests the provision of a paper copy of their service agreement or variation to sign, this will be provided. Organisations are to contact the department’s regional Program and Service Adviser (PASA) who will forward copies of the service agreement or variation for signature, as requested.