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The NSW Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) – Message from Head of AA

15-May-2018

Good afternoon

Last Friday, 11 May 2018, the Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) was announced. The APP aims to grow Aboriginal businesses and support 3000 additional Aboriginal employment opportunities. The policy includes a 3% target for all NSW Government goods and services contracts being awarded to Aboriginal owned businesses by 2021. The policy also enables NSW Government agencies to negotiate directly with Aboriginal businesses for contracts up to $250,000; and sets Aboriginal employment targets on contracts greater than $10 million.

In conjunction with the existing Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) policy, the APP aims to support an estimated 3,000 full time equivalent employment opportunities for Aboriginal people through NSW Government procurement activities by 2021.

The APP, for implementation from 1 July 2018, is one of a number of commitments to Grow the First Economy of NSW, which integrates Aboriginal economic participation into NSW Government Priorities with a focus on:

  • jobs and employment
  • education and skills
  • economic agency

The NSW Government takes a strengths-based approach to Aboriginal economic prosperity. This is reflected in OCHRE, the NSW Government’s community-focused plan for Aboriginal affairs in NSW, but also in our broader work with NSW First Peoples.

The NSW Government spends approximately $20 billion a year on goods and services. The APP will generate social and economic returns from this expenditure, such as employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.

I commend the efforts of the Policy and Reform team within Aboriginal Affair along with our NSW Procurement colleagues, who together brought this policy to fruition. We will continue our leadership role across government to implement this policy and build on what we already have achieved within our own Department of Education.

More information can be found on the APP section of our website and on the ProcurePoint website.

Jason Ardler
Head of Aboriginal Affairs NSW


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