Other procurement policies

The State Government is committed to supporting Aboriginal owned businesses through the introduction of the Aboriginal Procurement Policy (the Policy). From 1 July 2018, government departments are required to award contracts to registered Aboriginal businesses, consistent with progressive targets increasing to three per cent. The targets will apply to all government agencies when purchasing goods, services, community services and works. The targets are also intended to apply to Government Trading Enterprises.

You can view the policy document below as well as two guides developed to help with the implementation of the policy. The Aboriginal Procurement Policy Implementation Guide has been developed to help agencies to implement the policy and meet the targets.

Contracting with the Western Australian Government - A Guide for Aboriginal Businesses has been developed to help Aboriginal businesses understand how to work with government.

If you need further information or assistance with these documents, contact the Social Procurement Initiatives team at spi@finance.wa.gov.au.

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 local businesses with an enhanced opportunity when bidding to supply to the Western Australian Government.

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 the Funding and Contracting Services team at fundingandcontracting@finance.wa.gov.au.

 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. 

Australia is party to several Free Trade Agreements that have government procurement chapters. These agreements have certain requirements that Western Australia must comply with.

Using the guidelines will help you to procure in line with these agreements.

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.

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.