EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Education Investment Fund (EIF) Evaluation Criteria No. 1 of 2009
Authority
Subsection 172(1) of Nation-building Funds Act 2008 (the Act) states that the EIF designated Ministers may formulate criteria (EIF evaluation criteria) to be applied by the EIF Advisory Board in giving advice under paragraphs 171(1)(a) or (b) of the Act.
This instrument has been issued jointly by the Education Minister and the Research Minister because subsection 172(1) of the Act empowers the EIF designated Ministers to, by legislative instrument, formulate the EIF evaluation criteria and section 4 of the Act defines EIF designated Ministers to mean the Education Minister and the Research Minister.
Section 4 of the Act defines Education Minister as the Minister who administers Part 2-2 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and Research Minister as the Minister who administers the Australian Research Council Act 2001.
The Administrative Arrangements Order made by the Governor-General on 1 May 2008 provides that the Minister for Education is responsible for administering the Higher Education Support Act 2003, and that the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is responsible for administering the Australian Research Council Act 2001. As such this Determination is jointly issued by both Ministers.
Pursuant to subsection 172(1) of the Act, this Determination is a legislative instrument.
Purpose
The purpose of this instrument is to specify the evaluation criteria that the EIF Advisory Board must apply when giving advice under paragraphs 171(1)(a) or (b) of the Act.
Description of the instrument
The contents of this instrument are summarised below:
- All applications will be assessed according to seven evaluation criteria.
- Under these seven evaluation criteria, specific requirements will apply according to the sector nominated by the applicant institution for that project.
Explanation of provisions
This section specifies the evaluation criteria to be used by the EIF Advisory Board when assessing applications.
All projects funded under the Act must adhere to the following overarching principles:
- address national infrastructure priorities;
- demonstrate high benefits and effective use of resources;
- efficiently address infrastructure needs; and
- demonstrate they achieve established standards in implementation and management.
The evaluation criteria are based on the above principles and all applications will be assessed according to the evaluation criteria. These criteria are:
- the extent to which the project addresses national priorities;
- the alignment of the project and its outcomes with the applicant organisation’s strategic directions and aspirations;
- the projected positive impact on enhancing capacity;
- whether the project results in improvements consistent with the level of investment;
- the extent of co-investment and collaboration;
- project quality and readiness; and
- the capacity of the applicant organisation to support, maintain and integrate new infrastructure into ongoing business operations.
Specific criteria may vary depending on the sector nominated by the applicant institution for that project.
Consultation
This Instrument gives effect to the announcement of the Education Investment Fund and is required as a matter of urgency. As such only limited stakeholder consultation has been conducted.
Business Cost Calculator
This instrument does not require a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) or a Business Cost Calculator Figure. The instrument is not regulatory in nature and will not impact on business activity and will have no compliance costs of competition impact.