Master Agreement

A Master Agreement is a long-term agreement between the Department of Housing and Public Works and registered community housing providers.

The agreement describes the funding conditions agreed between the parties and offers a range of benefits, including:

  • replacing thousands of aged, inconsistent and restrictive contracts
  • establishing a single, standardised contract per provider
  • modernising terms to reflect current legislation and expectations.

A Master Agreement isn't mandatory. Transition timing to a Master Agreement from receipt of the draft agreement will vary between providers and is dependent on:

  • provider readiness
  • agreement on transition terms
  • internal approvals (departmental and provider-side).

Key changes

  1. Proceeds of sale – providers retain 100% to reinvest in community housing
  2. Longer lease term – up to 20 years for financial stability
  3. Unlock equity – full ownership enables third-party financing
  4. Insurance – new provisions reduce risk and cost
  5. Surplus retention – providers keep surplus rental income
  6. More flexible use of rental receipts – Proscriptive Allowable Expenditure policy abolished
  7. Reduced red tape – single set of terms replaces multiple contracts with separate requirements
  8. Portfolio flexibility –providers may deal with or redevelop properties with notification (not approval)

Preparation

There are some initial steps to prepare your organisation for a transition to a Master Agreement.

1: Verify your organisation’s existing funding details

Review capital funding, leases and service agreements to confirm your organisation’s current arrangements.

2: Identify stakeholder interests

Identify all relevant parties, including:

  • the Queensland Government
  • registered community housing providers (RCHPs)
  • any third-party stakeholders.

3: Identify conditions in funding agreements

Identify any specific conditions or bespoke funding arrangements that apply to existing contracts.

4: Get funded assets valued (provider-owned)

The department will work with providers to identify which properties require valuation to keep costs at a minimum. In most cases, recent valuations can be utilised.

5: Appoint a primary contact

  • Nominate a contact person within your organisation to be the key contact for communication between your organisation and the Department of Housing and Public Works.
  • Share this information with the department when it's time to start working with the Master Agreement team.

How to get a copy of the new Master Agreement suite

Draft Master Agreements are likely to be shared with tranches of providers over the next 2 months.

Email Hlgppw-MasterAgreement@housing.qld.gov.au to register to receive a copy of the suite.

More information

To ensure a seamless and well-supported transition, we are engaging with an initial group of providers during the early implementation phase.

Once this process is complete, we'll reach out to your organisation to share the Master Agreement and outline the next steps.

You can email any enquiries to Hlgppw-MasterAgreement@housing.qld.gov.au.