The following policies and guidelines should be followed when procuring for government.
Aboriginal Procurement Policy
The State Government is committed to using its buying power to provide new contracting opportunities to Aboriginal businesses and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) through the Aboriginal Procurement Policy (the APP).
The APP was implemented in 2018 and mandates progressive targets for the award of contracts to Aboriginal businesses and effective 1 December 2023 ACCOs, by WA Government agencies.
The targets apply to all WA government agencies when purchasing goods, services, community services and works. Some Government Trading Enterprises have also agreed to apply the policy.
From 1 January 2022, Aboriginal participation requirements were applied to suppliers on certain government contracts, which need to meet an Aboriginal employment target or an Aboriginal business subcontracting target.
You can view the policy document via the link below as well as a suite of guides developed to help with the implementation of the policy.
If you need further information or assistance on the APP, contact the Social Procurement Initiatives team at spi@finance.wa.gov.au.
Buy Local Policy
The Buy Local Policy is an initiative aimed at recognising the contribution of local businesses in building a stronger Western Australian economy. The Policy contains a range of initiatives and price preferences that provide business with an enhanced opportunity when bidding to supply to the Western Australian Government.
The lead agency for the administration of the Buy Local Policy is now the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. For further information and the Policy documents, please visit www.industrylink.wa.gov.au
Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy
The Delivering Community Services in Partnership (DCSP) Policy applies to all Western Australian government agencies that provide funding for, or purchase community services, from organisations.
The DCSP Policy sets out several partnership principles and behaviours dedicated to encouraging genuine partnership between government agencies and the community service sector. The principles and behaviours focus on:
encouraging contribution from the community services sector and service users when planning, co-designing and delivering community services
sustainable service delivery
establishing service agreements that reduce the administrative burden on service providers
If you need assistance with this policy, or any other matter related to procurement of community services, contact Community Services Procurement Policy at cspp@finance.wa.gov.au.
Introducing the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy
Priority Start Policy
The Priority Start Policy, administered by the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD), aims to increase the overall numbers of apprentices and trainees in the building and construction industry.
Head contractors must meet a target training rate by employing construction apprentices and trainees in their company and the subcontractors they are using. The target training rate is the estimated percentage of Western Australian construction trades workers who are apprentices and trainees in the occupations specified in the Priority Start policy. The Department of Training and Workforce Development sets the target training rate. The policy came into effect on 1 April 2019 and applies to all Government building, construction, civil and maintenance contracts with an estimated total value over $5 million (including GST).
For information specific on the Priority Start Policy specific to a Department of Finance contract, you can contact us on 61 8 6551 2084 or via PriorityStartPolicy@finance.wa.gov.au.
Compliance
The Department of Finance may audit the head contractor's compliance with the Priority Start policy at any time.
When the head contractor accepts a contract, they commit to meeting the target training rate at the end of each financial year for the duration of the contract and at the completion of the contract. At the end of each financial year, the Department of Finance has to report on the policy’s operation to DTWD, including any variations that have been granted to the target training rate.
Supplier Demerit Scheme
Not complying with the Priority Start policy could result in demerits for a head contractor on Department of Finance contracts.
We know that most suppliers do the right thing, however where a supplier has performed so poorly that the standard contractual remedies are insufficient, we will manage this through the Supplier Demerit Scheme.
You can find more information on how demerits are earned and their impact with the Supplier Performance information.
Free Trade Agreement Guidelines
Indexation Policy for the Non-Government Human Services Sector
Indexation Policy for the Non-Government Human Services Sector provides transparency and consistency in indexation applied to prices in contracting arrangements under the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy.
If you need assistance with this policy, or any other matter related to procurement of community services, contact the Funding and Contracting Services team at fundingandcontracting@finance.wa.gov.au.
Western Australia Industry Participation Strategy
The Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS) has been developed to give effect to the objectives within the Western Australian Jobs Act 2017.
The WAIPS represents a new era in State Government purchasing for both agencies and industry, as it applies to all State Agencies and all forms of procurement. The Minister for Jobs is responsible for developing and implementing the WAIPS, and may also revise and provide exemptions to the WAIPS if required.
The WAIPS became fully operational on 1 October 2018.
Market-led Proposals
Market-led Proposals provide an innovative opportunity for Government and the private sector to work together to create jobs and stimulate the economy in Western Australia.
For more information visit the Market-led Proposals web page.
Percent for Art Scheme
The State Government's Percent for Art Scheme encourages art in the built environment by using a percentage of a development's overall budget to commission art on new public buildings.
The Percent for Art Scheme requires up to one percent of the construction budget for new works over $2 million, to be spent on artwork.
