Chapter 1.3: Merging Our Institutes of Sport

3.1 The Australian Institute of Sport should be removed from the Australian Sports Commission and amalgamated with state and territory institutes and academies of sport, into a single Australian Institutes of Sport (AIsS), funded by the Australian Government, and with the existing combined funding levels.

Government Response

Supported in Part.

In a landmark agreement the Sport and Recreation Ministers’ Council has agreed for the first time to a new national approach that will deliver a more aligned, co-ordinated and effective sport system.

The new national operational model for the sports institutes will improve alignment across institutes, providing clarity on roles and responsibilities and development of a co-ordinated, national high performance strategy.

The agreement is based on the following principles:

• Whole-of-pathway focus
• Federal, state/territory government partnership, shared investment, influence and accountability
• National outcomes in the context of the National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework
• Local flexibility and integrated decentralised delivery options catering for individual athlete and local needs
• National sporting organisation (NSO) high performance plans developed collaboratively, with the involvement of all key stakeholders and delivery partners
• Institutes and academies as partners not just service providers
• Economic efficiency gains at all levels.

3.2 For elite sport, the Australian Government should be responsible for support of national level programs, state and territory governments for state and territory level programs and in association with local governments for developmental programs.

Government Response

Supported.

The Australian Government supports this approach which will be considered and addressed by the Sport and Recreation Ministers’ Council and as part of collaborative development of the National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework.

3.3 State and territory based programs should be funded and managed by the states and territories (even if with Australian Government contributions) with the objective of identifying and preparing athletes for progression into national programs.

Government Response

Supported.

The Australian Government supports this approach which will be considered and addressed under the new national operational model for the sports institutes and academies which will improve alignment across the organisations, providing clarity on roles and responsibilities and development of a co-ordinated, national high performance strategy.

3.4 Where appropriate the Australian Government and state and territory governments should negotiate appropriate arrangements for use and control of existing facilities used by state and territory institutes and academies of sport.

Government Response

Supported.

The Australian Government supports this approach which will be considered and addressed under the new national operational model for the sports institutes and academies which will improve alignment across the organisations, providing clarity on roles and responsibilities and development of a co-ordinated, national high performance strategy.

3.5 Australia’s high performance sport system should be based on the principle that elite programs be delivered at optimal locations – and the system must facilitate the engagement of other providers such as universities and private organisations where appropriate.

Government Response

Supported.

The Australian Government supports this approach which will be considered and addressed under the new national operational model for the sports institutes and academies which will improve alignment across the organisations, providing clarity on roles and responsibilities and development of a co-ordinated, national high performance strategy.