Public Procurement in Australia
Australia operates a federated procurement system where the Commonwealth, six states, two territories, and hundreds of local councils each manage their own purchasing. The Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) govern federal government purchasing, emphasising value for money, open competition, and ethical behaviour.
Australian governments collectively spend over $60 billion annually on goods, services, and construction. The system is designed to be accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with specific policies encouraging their participation in government contracts.
Procurement Thresholds
Federal government procurement follows these threshold requirements:
- Open Tender Required: Procurements valued at $80,000 or above (GST inclusive)
- Construction Works: $7.5 million threshold for major works
- Exemptions: Limited tender may be used in specific circumstances such as emergencies or proprietary goods
State and territory governments set their own thresholds, typically ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 depending on the jurisdiction and procurement category.
Key Government Procurement Bodies
Department of Finance (AusTender)
Operates AusTender, the official portal for all Commonwealth government tenders. Mandatory publishing for all federal opportunities above threshold.
NSW Procurement (eTenders NSW)
New South Wales manages Australia's largest state procurement operation, covering health, transport, education, and infrastructure.
Buying for Victoria
Victoria's centralised procurement platform offering standing offer agreements and direct tender opportunities across state agencies.
Queensland Government Marketplace
QLD's procurement portal featuring tenders from state departments, statutory authorities, and local councils.
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Start Free TrialWhere to Find Australian Tender Opportunities
AusTender is the central portal for Commonwealth government procurement. All federal agencies must publish approaches to market and contract awards on this platform. Registration is free and provides access to tender documents, notification alerts, and a searchable contract database.
Each state and territory operates its own procurement portal:
- New South Wales: eTenders NSW (tenders.nsw.gov.au)
- Victoria: Buying for Victoria (buying.vic.gov.au)
- Queensland: QTenders (qtenders.hpw.qld.gov.au)
- Western Australia: Tenders WA (tenders.wa.gov.au)
- South Australia: SA Tenders (satenders.sa.gov.au)
- Tasmania: Tasmanian Tenders (tenders.tas.gov.au)
International Organisations in Australia
International Bodies with Australian Procurement
- United Nations ESCAP
- Asian Development Bank (ADB)
- World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific
- World Bank Projects
- Pacific Islands Forum
- CSIRO International Partners
Australia serves as a regional hub for Asia-Pacific operations of major international organisations. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Asian Development Bank fund significant projects in the region, often requiring Australian-based suppliers or partners.
Tips for Winning Australian Tenders
Australian procurement emphasises value for money, which includes non-price factors such as quality, risk, and capability. Understanding the evaluation methodology is essential for competitive submissions.
- Register on relevant portals: Create supplier profiles on AusTender and state platforms before opportunities arise
- Obtain ABN: An Australian Business Number is typically required for government contracts
- Consider Indigenous procurement: The Indigenous Procurement Policy sets targets for contracts with Indigenous businesses
- Leverage SME policies: Many agencies have policies encouraging engagement with small and medium enterprises
- Build panel membership: Standing offer arrangements and whole-of-government panels provide ongoing work streams