They serve the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community and add immeasurably to the quality of life and social fabric many of us take for granted. These organisations promote active involvement in our society and engage people in a common mission to make our community a better place. For these reasons, it is important that government recognises the true value of these organisations as service providers, and strives to facilitate and assist their good work.
To meet the needs of the community, Western Australian government agencies seek to improve outcomes for all Western Australians by building a genuine partnership between the public and community services sectors in the policy, planning and delivery of community services in Western Australia. For this reason the Delivering Community Services in Partnership (DCSP) Policy was introduced in July 2011 and updated in December 2023.
Finding opportunities and using Tenders WA
Show moreAll government agencies use Tenders WA to advertise Requests, Requests for comment, early notice of tenders and contract awards.
Community services Requests can be searched on the Tenders WA website and in most cases you can download the Request information from Tenders WA yourself.
You can also contact the person nominated in the Request document or the Tenders Office and ask them to mail a copy of the Request document to you.
Many government agencies also have regional offices where Request documents may be available. Contact the office directly to confirm if the Request documents are available to be picked up in person.
How can the Community Services Procurement Policy team help me?
Show moreThe Community Services Procurement Policy team supports both sectors by:
- providing advice and assistance on what the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy (DCSP Policy) includes, how it is delivered, and the contracting process and requirements
- helping government agencies with planning, strategy and engaging with stakeholders
- coordinating education and training programs and guides to raise awareness and understanding of the policy and its best practice
- maintaining standardised and simplified buying and contracting templates and guides
- developing initiatives to build strong relationships with and improve the capability of the community services sector
- managing the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Working Group and sub-groups
- developing and implementing the State Commissioning Strategy for community services
- reporting to government and the Supporting Communities Forum on the effectiveness of the DCSP Policy and identifying and responding to key issues related to community services
We are responsible for developing a suite of Request and service agreement documents that can be used across the Western Australian public sector. Finance can also be involved in some aspects of the service agreement process, including offering buying and contracting advice and support to other government agencies, and support to community service organisations.
If you are successful in tendering for a community service with a particular government agency, your service agreement will be with that government agency alone, not with Finance.
Equal Remuneration Order
Show moreThe Government approved a provisional financial allocation to provide supplementation funding for the Equal Remuneration Order (ERO) in December 2019. The distribution of this funding was targeted at contracts that were established prior to July 1 2013, acknowledging that the ERO was announced in June 2012.
The Department of Finance (Finance) also conducted a contract audit to identify eligible contracts for supplementation funding, and to gain a snapshot of the community services funding environment since the Delivering Community Services in Partnership (DCSP) Policy was introduced in 2011. The contract audit (pre and post 1 July 2013) was a requirement of the Expenditure Review Committee with strong support from the Premier. The audit revealed a large number of contracts expiring at the same time, highlighting the need for a State Commissioning Strategy (SCS) for Community Services, which has been developed by the Department of Finance in collaboration with the Departments of the Premier and Cabinet and Treasury.
Training opportunities and support resources
Show moreThe Department of Finance produces a regular e-newsletter offering the latest information about training and all things relevant to community services service providers. You can view previous issues and subscribe for e-newsletters by email below.
More information and contacts
- For information about the DCSP Policy contact The Department of Finance.
- For information on government buying rules and policies go to relevant policies for community service providers
- For not-for-profit status or similar enquiries contact the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
WA Peak Not For Profit bodies
- Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia
- Child and Family Alliance Western Australia
- Community Employers Western Australia
- Western Australian Association for Mental Health
- Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS)
- Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies
- National Disability Services
