Section 4 – Terms and Conditions of Application

4.1 Application conditions

All applicants for funding under Reconnect are required to submit an Application Form. Your application is not an agreement or contract. Meeting the Selection Criteria does not guarantee funding. Funding is limited and applications will be assessed and prioritised according to the extent to which they meet the Selection Criteria. Only applications meeting the Selection Criteria to a high degree are likely to be funded. All information requested on the application must be provided to enable your application to be fully considered.

The Department will not issue Application Forms or accept completed applications by fax.

Only one application per organisation/region will be assessed. If more than one application is submitted, only the latest application will be considered.

The Department will not accept or respond to any applicant's requests for information or correspondence about the status or progress of their application during the assessment phase.

The Department will only respond to requests for information that seek clarification of issues to allow them to better understand the requirements of the Application Form and Application Guidelines (See Important Information on page 2).

To be considered compliant with the terms and condition of the Application Guidelines an application must comply with the following requirements:

• Applicants must submit an original and three copies (including all supporting documentation) of the Application Form. Supporting documentation (if necessary) should not exceed five pages;
• Applications must be submitted in hard copy. The Application Form must be completed in Arial font size 11 with single line spacing. If completed by hand writing it must be printed and in black pen.

At the end of the Selection Process the Department will write to all applicants about the outcome of the Selection Process.

4.2 Late Applications

FaHCSIA may reject any application lodged after the closing date. If an application is late, FaHCSIA may determine that there were exceptional circumstances beyond the applicant's control that meant the deadline could not be met. The applicant will need to supply documentary evidence to support any exceptional circumstances. FaHCSIA has no obligation to accept a late application. Any decision by FaHCSIA to accept or not accept a late application will be final.

4.3 Checks of Applicants

As a part of the Selection Process, the Department may undertake further checks of applicants. The Department may also conduct checks for non-disclosure of any relevant information.

In addition, any debts that the applicant has accrued to the Department or other Australian Government agencies may be taken into account when making a decision to offer funding.

The Department reserves the right to use information from:

• the Department's databases,
• other Australian Government agencies, such as the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Securities and Investments Commission,
• state or territory agencies,
• law enforcement agencies,
• credit reference agencies,
• courts or tribunals,
• referees, or
• any other appropriate organisation or person reasonably required as part of these checks.

Information obtained from checks on applicants described in this section, may be taken into account during the assessment of applications or in making the final decision to offer funding.

4.4 Applicant's Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their application is complete and accurate.

Make sure you keep a copy of your application and any supporting papers, either electronically or in hard copy, for your own records.

4.5 Liability Issues

The Department is not liable to the applicant in relation to the Selection Process, including without limitation, when the Department:

• varies or terminates all or any part of the Selection Process or any negotiations with the Applicant,
• decides not to acquire any or all of the services sought through the Selection Process,
• varies the Selection Process, or
• exercises or fails to exercise any of its other rights under, or in relation to the Application Guidelines.

4.6 The Department's Rights

FaHCSIA reserves the right to amend these Application Guidelines by whatever means it may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments.

FaHCSIA reserves the right to mark any application 'non-compliant' if it has concerns about the genuineness of the information provided or where it feels the application has not been submitted in the spirit of Reconnect as outlined in this document.

4.7 Disclaimer

The Department and its officers, employees, agents and advisors:

• are not, and will not be, responsible or liable for the accuracy or completeness of any information in or provided in connection with the Application Guidelines and Application Forms;
• make no express or implied representation or warranty that any statement as to future matters will prove correct;
• disclaim any and all liability arising from any information provided to the applicant, including, without limitation, errors in, or omissions contained in, that information;
• except so far as liability under any statute cannot be excluded, accept no responsibility arising in any way from errors or omissions contained in any information in the Application Guidelines and Application Forms; and
• accept no liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of that person, or any other person, placing reliance on the contents of the Application Guidelines and Application Forms, or any other information provided by the Department.

4.8 Complaints Mechanism

Complaints will be dealt with under the FaHCSIA Complaints Management System. The Complaints Management System ensures that any problems that you have with FaHCSIA's services, decisions or policies, and those of FaHCSIA funded service providers, are taken seriously and dealt with promptly.

For the Reconnect selection process the initial contact person is:

Project Manager
Reconnect Selection Process
Homelessness Branch
PO Box 7576
Canberra Mail Centre ACT 2610

If you still feel this has not been successful, and your issue or complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily then you will need to contact a FaHCSIA Complaints Officer on 1800 634 035. They will work with you to satisfactorily resolve the complaint or suggest further action if appropriate.

If you are dissatisfied at any time with our handling of your complaint, you can also contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

For more information please see: Enquiries and feedback or Complaints