Procurement

TEQSA’s procurement policies and practices are consistent with all relevant Australian Government laws, the Commonwealth financial framework (including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules), and other applicable policies.

Tenders and major planned procurement

TEQSA advertises all tenders and all major planned procurement on the Australian Government tendering website, AusTender.

General purchase order conditions

The general conditions by which TEQSA (‘The Commonwealth’) enters into an agreement with a provider for the purchase of goods and/or services.

Read the General purchase order conditions (DOC)

Senate Order on entity contracts

On 20 June 2001, the Senate agreed to an Order requiring each Minister to table a letter advising that a list of contracts in respect of each entity administered by that Minister has been placed on the Internet with access to the list through the entity homepage. The letter must be tabled no later than two calendar months after the end of the calendar and financial years.

An amendment to the Order of 14 May 2015 requires all procurement contracts be listed in a report on the AusTender website, with non-procurement contracts to be listed on entity websites.

Commencing with the 2014-15 financial year report, non-corporate Commonwealth entities will use AusTender to satisfy the requirements of the senate order with respect to procurement contracts only. A listing of procurement contracts is available through the Senate Order page on the AusTender website.

Senate Order listing

Procurement complaints

General procurement complaints

To lodge a general complaint about any procurement conducted by TEQSA or if you believe TEQSA has breached Commonwealth Procurement Rules, please email procurement@teqsa.gov.au attaching copies of all relevant documents.

To help us resolve your complaint quickly, please include the following information in your written submission:

  • your name, supplier business name, ABN, address, phone and email address
  • details of the procurement, including the service, estimated contract value, relevant times and dates, AusTender ID and UNSPSC code (if known)
  • a factual and concise outline of your complaint and any Commonwealth Procurement Rules you believe we breached
  • any other information, documents or evidence to support your complaint.

When we receive your complaint we:

  • acknowledge we’ve received it
  • investigate and work with you to resolve the issue within 10 days
  • let you know if it will take longer.

If you are happy with the outcome, we’ll close the matter and consider it resolved.

If you are not happy with the outcome, you can raise it with the Australian Government procurement coordinator or Commonwealth Ombudsman.

Complaints under the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 (GPJR Act)

The Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 (the Act) establishes an independent complaint mechanism for government procurement processes. The Act requires the accountable authorities of relevant Commonwealth entities to formally investigate complaints that are made in accordance with the Act, and to suspend procurements during the investigation of a complaint under the Act, unless a public interest certificate is in place. The Act also places obligations on suppliers to take reasonable steps to resolve a complaint with the relevant Commonwealth entity before taking action in the Federal Circuit Court.

Procurement covered under the Act:

  • goods and/or services at or above $80,000 (GST inc)
  • construction services at or above $7.5 million (GST inc) not covered by an exemption.

If you believe the agency has breached Commonwealth Procurement Rules, you can make a complaint by email to procurement@teqsa.gov.au.

When we receive your complaint we:

  • acknowledge we’ve received it
  • assess whether it meets the criteria under the Act
  • if appropriate, suspend the procurement unless a public interest certificate is issued
  • investigate and work with you to resolve the issue within 10 days
  • let you know if it will take longer.

At the end of the process, you will receive a report on the outcome of the investigation.

You can also apply to the court for an injunction or compensation under the Act. Please note that you need to submit a complaint with us first and show how the breach affected your interests.

Topic-specific information

Last updated:

Related links