The Department of Finance works with many government departments in the planning, delivery and management of government's non-residential building projects. This includes hospitals, courthouses, police stations, prisons, schools and more. If you are interested in working with us, you need to be aware of:
- our policies and requirements
- how we issue and evaluate tenders
This page is for businesses that wish to supply works-related services to government. Information is also available for subcontractors on government projects and other guides are available for suppliers of community services and general goods and services.
The information in this guide does not apply to office lease procurement. Please refer to the Government office accommodation page for information on this topic.
Please note, some government agencies manage their own works-related projects and follow their own policies and process. For more information, see what are agencies buying.
Department of Finance – Advice for Building Contractors and Consultants
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – An important message for Government contractors and consultants
I am writing to you as a contractor and/or consultant engaged by the Department of Finance (on behalf of the Minister for Works) to advise you of the precautionary measures you must take to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 while working on government sites and in remote Aboriginal communities.
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation announced the COVID-19 outbreak was a global pandemic. While the State and Commonwealth Governments are well prepared to deal with the anticipated impacts of this far reaching virus, your support, vigilance and cooperation is required to ensure the efficacy of Australia’s response.
On 18 March 2020, the Self-Quarantine Following Overseas Travel and Remote Aboriginal Communities Directions were made by the Commissioner of Police and State Emergency Coordinator under section 67 of the Emergency Management Act 2005 (Directions). Pursuant to these Directions:
- any person who arrives in Western Australia by ship or by plane from overseas is required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. Further, any person who arrived in Western Australia by ship or by plane from overseas between 4 and 18 March 2020 is also required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days from the day on which they arrived in Western Australia; and
- any person who is outside the boundaries of a remote Aboriginal community must not enter upon any land within the boundaries of that community except for the purposes of obtaining medical care or medical supplies, for the purposes of obtaining essential services or supplies that can only be obtained within that community, in the event of an emergency situation (including for the purposes of providing medical care), or in accordance with the remote community pandemic plan for that community.
Accordingly, if you or any person under your responsibility (including any employees, subcontractors, subconsultants, agents or invitees):
- have returned from overseas since 4 March 2020 (inclusive), that person should self-quarantine. This includes not attending any government sites, such as schools, TAFEs, prisons, police and fire stations, and office buildings for the purposes of fulfilling contractual obligations to the Minister for Works; and
- must not attempt to access any remote Aboriginal communities to perform works or services (or to deliver goods) for the Minister for Works, unless the purpose of the visit is related to an emergency, and prior written approval has been obtained from the Department following consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
Please note, it has been necessary for some government agencies to cancel, defer and suspend non-essential work as a result of COVID-19, implement additional site and agency-specific requirements and protocols regarding physical access, and impose access restrictions within particular facilities and communities.
Please ensure that any person under your responsibility does not attempt to attend any government site or enter a remote Aboriginal community if they:
- have any flu-like symptoms (such as a fever, tiredness/fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, diarrhoea or headache); or
- have been in close contact with someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19; or
- have been in close contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19.
In this context, "close contact" means that they have had more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact with a person or shared a closed space for more than two hours with the person. You should also remind people under your responsibility to practise good hygiene at all times. This includes, to the extent possible, frequently washing their hands, avoiding touching to their face and nose, and social distancing while on government sites and/or in remote Aboriginal communities.
If you have any queries or concerns in this regard, I would encourage you to contact the Department of Finance and/or work with your agency representatives to minimise any potential disruption to service delivery.
Due to the constantly changing status of COVID-19 within Western Australia and the frequency of advice being issued by the relevant health and regulatory authorities, updated requirements may be published from time-to-time on the wa.gov.au website, along with other important information for contractors and consultants. Please make yourself familiar with this website and continue to encourage anyone displaying a fever and respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or sore throat to contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Yours sincerely
Phil Helberg
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL
BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND WORKS
March 2020