Strengthening government procurement policies to maximise Indigenous employment.

As major purchasers of goods and services, Commonwealth, state and territory governments are in a position to increase Indigenous economic participation and employment by introducing or strengthening Indigenous employment requirements in government procurement policies. For this reason, all governments party to the National Partnership Agreement on Indigenous Economic Participation (the ‘Agreement’) have committed to strengthening their procurement policies to maximise Indigenous employment.

Strengthened procurement provisions will be implemented in all jurisdictions with a particular focus on large construction projects, maintenance contracts, cleaning and infrastructure projects agreed through the Council of Australian Government’s Infrastructure Working Group. By requiring successful contractors of major projects to implement Indigenous training, employment and supplier strategies, jobs will be created for Indigenous Australians, the skills of Indigenous Australians will be developed, and Indigenous businesses will be created and supported.

As part of this initiative, the Commonwealth has committed to establishing an advisory service to support agencies (including state and territory government agencies) to implement their procurement requirements regarding Indigenous employment.

In addition to strengthening government procurement policies to maximise Indigenous employment, the Commonwealth has committed to exploring options to assist the expansion of Indigenous business opportunities through support for an Indigenous supplier network. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is funding a three year pilot to support the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) as part of their contribution to increasing opportunities for Indigenous businesses. AIMSC provides an opportunity for certified, majority Indigenous owned, controlled and managed businesses to contract directly with corporate and government buyers of goods and services.

View the new Indigenous Opportunities Policy.
 

State and Territory Government Procurement

Information and advice for state and territory governments about strengthening their procurement policies to maximise Indigenous employment is available on this website and by emailing IEPNP@deewr.gov.au.

For further information or advice about this initiative please email IEPNP@deewr.gov.au.