22.2Are Partners required to have an office in each Service Area? Why is this important?
Clause 2.10 of the Statement of Requirements sets out the requirements for premises for the delivery of both LAC and ECEI Services. In particular:
there must be at least one permanent premises in each Service Area; and
in each Local Government Area, the Partner must have or have access to the use of a premises at which it will provide Services to Clients, including Participants.
The importance of having premises in each Service Area relates to the importance of the Partner having a presence in the community. The Applicant’s ability to establish and/or expand an active, visible presence on the ground will be taken into account in the assessment of Criterion 4.
See also clauses 3.2.5 and 3.2.6 of Annex E to the Statement of Requirements (ECEI Services) for requirements in relation to ECEI Services specifically. See questions 20.13 – 20.15 of this Question and Answers document for a discussion of these requirements.
