How to Complete the Expression of Interest or Application Form

In order to give your Expression of Interest or Application the best chance possible, please be aware of the following:

• Do not supply covering letters as they are not forwarded to the Council. 
• The applicant should be the owner of the bank account into which the grant (if successful) will be paid. This person or entity will be required to enter into a funding (grant) agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia (represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), and legally responsible for the proper acquittal of any funds awarded. Persons signing application and funding acceptance forms must be duly authorised to do so. 
• The start date for the project should take into account project preparation time. 
• Normally the Council does not pay a grant to a successful recipient until four to eight weeks prior to the project’s start date. However, you may be required to pay project expenses before this. In either case, advice of the date you estimate you will need ACC funds will help the Council plan its grant payments. For example, you would use the date airline tickets must be paid for, not the departure date or the booking date. 
• The amount applied for should be exclusive of GST. If you are registered for GST, the ACC will add that amount to your grant. 
• Remember that the ACC may have little or no knowledge of what you do. As decisions are based on information provided, ensure that your forms are clear, comprehensive and concise. 
• We must receive a signed form by the closing date/time. An electronic copy (in Word, pdf or rtf) is essential and must be followed by the original signed document in the post (address details are on the forms). If you think the Secretariat will not receive your signed form by the deadline, you may also submit a facsimile copy of your form to show that it is signed. 

In addition to the points above, the following tips for completing your Application Form are also important:

• Ensure your Budget (incoming funds) matches your Expenditure Statement (project costs) in the Application Form. 
• Provide the most detailed and accurate Expenditure Statement possible. Ensure the items you wish the ACC to fund or partially fund are clearly indicated with an asterisk (*). Unless the Council specifies otherwise, these will be the only activities for which you can use the grant. 
• Unspent grant funds must be returned to the Council. 
• Council funding of international air fares is at the applicable economy excursion rate. The ACC will not pay for airfares to China costing more then $1500, and less if that is the cheapest fare of the day. Applications for funding of business class airfares will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Council will not reimburse applicants for additional expenses incurred because of late bookings or other problems requiring tickets to be paid at a higher rate.
• Applicants should note that misleading the Australian Government on financial matters may have serious consequences. Under section 136.1 of the Criminal Code (Commonwealth), it is an offence to provide false or misleading information to an Australian Government body in an application for a benefit, punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment. 
• Referees should be independent of the project and be able to comment on your ability to undertake the project, in addition to commenting on the project itself. 
• The ACC will not accept un-signed referees’ reports. 
• Follow up with your referees to ensure that their signed written references are received by the Secretariat before the closing date. It is advisable that you include references when submitting the application if possible. Late references will not be accepted. 
• Please note that CVs are strictly limited to one page. 
• Typed applications are preferred wherever possible. If you must hand-write the application, write neatly with a dark pen (i.e. black or blue). 
• All main documentation should be in black and white. Colour photographs, books, DVDs and other supporting material may not be seen by Council members. 
• If any supporting material is to be returned to you, please include a stamped self-addressed envelope. 
• Do not staple or bind the application. 
• All documentation must be in English or accompanied by a translation. 

If you have any queries or problems, please contact the Secretariat.