What we do

Procurement

We use procurement to buy goods and services from other organisations.

We buy goods and services from other organisations through procurement activities. Examples of goods and services include:

  • IT products and services
  • office furniture, equipment and supplies
  • administrative and professional services.

Our procurement process helps us to:

  • make sure we get value for money
  • encourage competition
  • use resources efficiently, effectively, ethically and economically
  • make clear, accountable decisions
  • monitor, regulate and evaluate the good or service we receive.

In a request for tender, we ask tendering organisations to tell us how much they will charge to provide goods or services. In their tender, they respond to specific evaluation criteria which allows us to determine exactly what they will provide, how they will provide it and how much it will cost.

We then choose the best proposal, following the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

How we administer procurement

We administer our procurement in line with the Government’s procurement policy framework.

The framework has been developed to make sure all government procurement is:

  • value for money
  • transparent
  • efficient.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

We do not use AI to automate decisions. We administer procurement in line with the national framework for the assurance of artificial intelligence in government. 

Our people remain fully accountable for the recommendations they provide and the decisions they make. 

We have an AI transparency statement which guides our approach to the safe and ethical use of AI. 

Procurement reporting

We report all awarded procurement contracts with a value greater than $10,000 on AusTender (including open tenders) and contracts worth $100,000 or more on the Senate Order listings page on AusTender.

We also report all of our advertising, market research, polling, direct mail, promotional merchandise and consultant contracts in line with the requirements of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and the various Procurement Policy notes. This includes mandatory reporting each year in our Annual Report.

Public interest certificates (PICs)

PICs are issued when it’s not in the public interest to stop a procurement while we investigate the complaint. Our Secretary, or their delegate, signs a PIC.

Current PICs issued by our department

Making a complaint

We handle complaints about tenders confidentially and fairly. Making a complaint will not affect your relationship with us. Our Privacy policy explains how we handle your personal information.

To make a complaint about a procurement – including tenders and complaints relating to the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 (GPJR Act) email procurement.advice@health.gov.au and include: 

  • ‘Complaint’ clearly marked in the subject line
  • an explanation of the issue
  • what you expect from making the complaint
  • copies of, or references to, information to support the complaint
  • contact details.

More information on handling procurement complaints

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