Supplier integrity and notification requirements

The Australian Government expects its suppliers to conduct themselves with high standards of ethics such that they consistently act with integrity and accountability.

The Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct (Code) and the Notification of Significant Events (NOSE) clauses have been introduced into Australian Government contracts. A failure to adhere to the clauses may result in remedial action and/or termination in accordance with contractual provisions.

Suppliers are reminded to notify the entity managing the contract immediately upon becoming aware of a ‘significant event’. The entity will then work with you on the best way forward – while next steps will vary depending on the event, generally this will start with collecting further information. Remember that:

• the Code outlines the Commonwealth’s minimum expectations of suppliers and their subcontractors while under contract with the Commonwealth.
• breaches of the Code may trigger the NOSE clause.
• ‘significant events’ captures a wide array of issues. Broadly speaking it spans from adverse comments or findings by a court, commission, tribunal, etc. on the performance of the supplier or their personnel (including subcontractors and agents), through to any other significant matter that may adversely impact on the Commonwealth’s reputation.

Importantly, if you are not sure if an event is notifiable, we recommend you each out to the contract manager to discuss the issue further.

On 22 October 2025, the Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, published a Media Release announcing updates to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), including the prioritisation of Australian businesses in procurement. The new CPRs will come into effect on 17 November 2025. 

To support business’s preparation ahead of the effective date, information on the definition of an Australian business is available on the Finance website.

For information on how Government procurement processes are changing, go to the CPRs.

To support these changes, the Government has enhanced AusTender by introducing a Supplier Portal.

Among other features, the Supplier Portal allows businesses to register and maintain their own information, including contact details and where they choose to identify as an Australian business, New Zealand business, Small or Medium Enterprise, First Nations business and/or Women-owned business.

If you have any questions regarding the CPRs, please contact procurementagencyadvice@finance.gov.au.

If you have any questions regarding the Supplier Portal, please reach out via the AusTender Contact Us page

The Australian Government has published an updated Australian Skills Guarantee (Skills Guarantee) Procurement Connected Policy (PCP). Version 1.2 of the PCP introduces set targets for eligible information and communications technology (ICT) procurements. 

New ICT targets will apply from 1 October 2025 to Australian Government-funded ICT procurements with an estimated individual value of $10 million or more. 

Setting targets for Major ICT Projects leverages the Australian Government’s significant purchasing power to help address skills shortages and gender segregation in the ICT sector. Targets will help train the next generation of skilled workers by increasing the proportion of Women and ‘Learning Workers’ (such as Apprentices, ICT Cadets and Workers undertaking Microcredentials) working on Major ICT Projects. 

The Skills Guarantee Model Clauses have been updated to reflect the recent changes in the PCP. Please review your procurement documentation and update any references to the PCP, as required.  

For more information on the new ICT targets or Model Clauses, please visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

You can also email questions to: ASG@dewr.gov.au

The Management Advisory Services (MAS) Panel has now been established to improve the quality, consistency and efficiency of the procurement of Management Advisory Services by Commonwealth entities.

The Services provided under the Panel are for Management Advisory Services, commonly known as consultancies.

Non-corporate Commonwealth Entities (NCEs) are able to manage Panel access for their staff through AusTender’s Dynamic Sourcing for Panels (DS4P).

Corporate Commonwealth Entities and Commonwealth Companies who wish to access the Panel must first notify the MAS Panel Management team via email - MASPanel@finance.gov.au.