How to Find Government Tenders in Australia
Australia's public procurement market exceeds AUD 70 billion at the Commonwealth level, with substantial additional spending by state, territory, and local governments. This guide covers AusTender, Commonwealth Procurement Rules, state-specific portals, and strategies for winning government contracts across all levels.
By TenderRadar Team
Procurement Landscape
Australia operates a decentralised public procurement system across Commonwealth (federal), state and territory, and local government levels. The Commonwealth government spends approximately AUD 70 billion annually on goods, services, and construction through its agencies and departments. When state, territory, and local government procurement is included, total public spending is significantly higher. Australia's procurement system is built on principles of value for money, encouraging competition, ethics, and accountability. As a WTO GPA signatory with free trade agreements covering major trading partners, Australia's procurement market is broadly accessible to international suppliers.
~AUD 70B Commonwealth, substantially more with states and territories
Annual procurement value
Approximately 10-12% of GDP
Share of GDP
Legal Framework
- Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) — mandatory rules for federal entities
- Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) — overarching financial framework
- Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 — controls on defence procurement and technology
- ANZGPA (Australia-New Zealand Government Procurement Agreement)
- Free trade agreements with procurement chapters (AUSFTA, ChAFTA, CPTPP, AUKUS)
- State procurement acts (e.g., NSW Procurement Policy Framework, Victorian Government Purchasing Board policies)
Official Procurement Portals
AusTender
The official Commonwealth procurement portal. AusTender publishes all approaches to market (ATMs), multi-use lists, contract awards, and standing offer notices for Commonwealth entities. Suppliers can search by category, agency, location, and date, and subscribe to email notifications for new opportunities.
Visit portalNSW eTendering
New South Wales' official procurement portal, publishing tenders from NSW government agencies, state-owned corporations, and some local councils. NSW is Australia's largest state economy.
Visit portalBuying for Victoria (VicSCM)
Victoria's procurement portal and supplier connection portal. Publishes tenders from Victorian government departments and agencies. Victoria operates state purchase contracts that suppliers can join.
Visit portalQTenders, GEMMA (SA), Tenders WA
Each remaining state and territory operates its own portal: QTenders for Queensland, SA Tenders and Contracts (GEMMA) for South Australia, Tenders WA for Western Australia, and dedicated portals for Tasmania, ACT, and Northern Territory.
Visit portalProcurement Thresholds
| Category | Threshold () |
|---|---|
| Supplies | |
| Services | |
| Works |
The CPR threshold for open tender was raised to AUD 80,000 in recent updates. Defence and security procurements have specific exemptions. Indigenous Procurement Policy applies a 4% target and set-aside arrangements.
Key Sectors & Opportunities
Defence & Security
Defence is Australia's largest procurement category, with the Department of Defence spending over AUD 15 billion annually. AUKUS is driving massive investment in nuclear submarines, advanced capabilities, and technology sharing with the US and UK. The Defence Strategic Review has prioritised long-range strike, cyber, and northern base infrastructure.
Information Technology & Digital
The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) drives whole-of-government IT procurement including cloud services, cybersecurity, and digital identity. The government's hosting certification framework and IRAP assessments are key requirements. Major IT panels provide access to ongoing work across agencies.
Infrastructure & Construction
Australia is investing heavily in transport infrastructure including roads, rail, and airports through Infrastructure Australia and state agencies. Major projects include Inland Rail, Western Sydney Airport, and suburban rail programmes. Construction procurement is significant at both Commonwealth and state levels.
Healthcare & Aged Care
Commonwealth and state health departments procure medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, clinical services, and health IT. The Department of Health and Aged Care manages major procurement programmes. The aged care sector is undergoing significant reform, creating new procurement opportunities.
Mining & Resources Services
While primarily private sector, government procurement related to mining regulation, environmental management, geological surveys, and resource-region infrastructure creates opportunities. State governments in WA, QLD, and NSW are significant buyers of mining-related services.
Environment & Clean Energy
Australia's climate commitments are driving procurement of renewable energy, environmental remediation, water management, and conservation services. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation, ARENA, and state energy agencies are active buyers.
Tips for Suppliers
Register on AusTender and State Portals
Understand Panel Arrangements
Obtain Relevant Security Clearances
Leverage Indigenous Procurement Policy
Invest in Value-for-Money Proposals
Engage Through Industry Briefings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international companies bid on Australian government contracts?
Yes. Australia's trade agreements (WTO GPA, AUSFTA, CPTPP, ChAFTA, and others) provide market access for suppliers from partner countries on covered procurements above specified thresholds. The CPRs require non-discrimination for covered procurements. However, some contracts include local content requirements, and defence procurement may have Australian Industry Capability (AIC) obligations.
What is an Approach to Market (ATM)?
An ATM is the formal process by which a Commonwealth entity seeks offers from potential suppliers. ATMs can take several forms: open tender (published broadly on AusTender), limited tender (selected suppliers invited), prequalified tender (from an established panel), or multi-stage processes. All open ATMs are published on AusTender.
How do state government procurement processes differ from Commonwealth?
Each state and territory has its own procurement framework, policies, and portals. While principles are broadly similar (value for money, competition, transparency), thresholds, evaluation methods, and local content requirements vary. NSW, Victoria, and Queensland are the largest state procurers. State procurement offices publish their own guides and policies.
What is the AUKUS procurement opportunity?
AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US focused on nuclear-powered submarines and advanced capabilities. It is creating unprecedented procurement opportunities in submarine construction, technology transfer, workforce development, and supply chain development. The Australian Submarine Agency manages the submarine programme.
How does the complaints process work?
Suppliers who believe a Commonwealth procurement was conducted unfairly can raise concerns with the procuring entity first. If unresolved, complaints can be escalated to the Commonwealth Procurement Coordinator or the Commonwealth Ombudsman. For procurements covered by international trade agreements, the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act provides access to the Federal Court.
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