Grants Administration

Grant programs play a critical role in delivering economic, social and community outcomes. As expectations for transparency, accountability and value for money continue to grow, organisations require robust processes to ensure funding is allocated fairly and delivers intended results. 

Governments are facing increasing pressure to deliver better public services and infrastructure while ensuring funding is managed sustainably, transparently and with a strong focus on outcomes. At the same time, the allocation of public funds through grant programs is under greater scrutiny than ever, as highlighted by Parliamentary inquiries, Audit Office reviews and investigations by integrity agencies. In this environment, robust grant program design and administration have never been more important. OCM helps government and public sector organisations design, deliver and manage grant programs, providing the governance, assurance and expertise needed to make confident funding decisions and maximise program outcomes.

Specialist grants capabilities

Grant program planning and design through to award and acquittal. We ensure grants are appropriately managed. 

Independent advice

Alternative funding models such as public-private partnerships, co-investment frameworks, and targeted grant programs. 

End-to-end services

Coming from our holistic approach and offering an additional level of assurance.

Sustainable

Ensuring funding is allocated, monitored and reported with rigour, transparency, and measurable impact–driving long-term value.

Capabilities

Innovation brings fresh thinking to tackle complex problems. OCM can assist you manage the complexity and risk, providing practical expertise across the full grants process.

Together, we deliver progress that matters on...

  • We work with all levels of Government to review, consider and apply grant program policy authority and objectives
  • Designing programs to ensure maximum flexibility and apply proportionality to risk and governance
  • Maintaining a robust process to demonstrate the policy authority and objectives are being met.
  • We help ensure grant programs are designed with the right governance and processes to achieve their intended outcomes
  • Designing frameworks that align with policy authority and objectives and ensure accountability in all stages
  • Embedding risk and governance structure that supports clarity, compliance and achievement of intended outcomes.

We help manage a grant program on behalf of the agency. This involves:

  • Designing the program and grant type to best meet the agency’s requirements
  • Developing program guidelines and associated documents
  • The administration of applicant due diligence, including eligibility checks and open-source searches to identify any potential risks to government
  • The merit-based assessment of applications against the published assessment criteria to support consistent, evidence-based funding recommendations
  • The preparation of assessment reports and approval documentation to support informed funding decisions by delegated decision-makers.
  • Market-leading probity advice for government grant programs
  • Independent oversight to support fair, transparent and consistent grant processes
  • Advice to support consistent assessment against established criteria
  • Ensuring funding recommendations are evidence-based, documented and defensible. 
  • Supporting agencies to undertake proportionate due diligence on potential funding recipients
  • Verifying applicant identity, eligibility and the legitimacy of funding applications
  • Assessing integrity, reputational and financial viability risks
  • Helping agencies make informed decisions about who they fund. 
  • Supporting grant acquittal and assurance activities to confirm public funds have been used for their intended purpose
  • Undertaking audits and assurance reviews of grant expenditure and funding outcomes
  • Assessing compliance with grant requirements and relevant government grants frameworks
  • Helping agencies strengthen ongoing assurance and oversight of grant programs.
  • Building sustainable grant-making capability as government investment through grants continues to grow
  • Upskilling staff across the grant lifecycle, from program design through assessment and administration
  • Practical online modules covering grant processes, probity risks and better practice
  • Tailored training to strengthen both program-specific and agency-wide grants capability. 

Proportionality in grant governance

Explore how proportionality can reshape grant governance, aligning oversight with risk, value and complexity to support smarter, scalable administration.

Our people

Andrew Marsden

Partner | Probity Services

Grant Morris

Partner | Infrastructure Advisory

Judy Malpas

Partner | Assurance

Sarah Mullins

Partner | Probity Services

Client stories

Making tomorrow better, together

Delivering probity excellence for civic redevelopment

The city of Subiaco sought to deliver a landmark civic redevelopment that would reflect the community’s values and aspirations while setting a benchmark for design excellence and sustainability. OCM guaranteed the project was delivered with transparency, fairness, and compliance with governance obligations.

Read full story

We help protect today and safeguard tomorrow. You shape the future.

Progress needs a partner. We're ready.