National Partnership Agreements (NPAs) are agreements entered into by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), which is made up of the Prime Minister, state and territory leaders, and the President of the Australian Local Government Association. The purpose of the NPAs is to define shared national goals and priorities and to establish the roles and responsibilities of each level of government in achieving them.

NPAs are typically developed in response to specific issues or challenges faced by the country and cover a range of policy areas, including health, education, and infrastructure. The agreements are intended to be flexible and responsive, allowing for modifications as circumstances change.

The development of NPAs involves extensive consultation with stakeholders, including government agencies, non-government organizations, and the public. This ensures that the agreements are evidence-based and reflect the views and needs of the community.

Once an NPA is agreed upon by COAG, it is implemented through the collaboration of all levels of government. Regular reporting and review mechanisms are also put in place to assess the progress towards achieving the agreed-upon outcomes.

NPAs have been instrumental in driving national reform across a range of policy areas, including health and education. They have also been used to address complex issues, such as the management of the Murray-Darling Basin, which spans several states and territories.

In summary, NPAs are a collaborative approach to addressing complex national issues. They involve extensive consultation and coordination between all levels of government and are designed to be flexible and responsive to changing circumstances. NPAs have been successful in achieving significant reforms and improving outcomes in a range of policy areas.