Federal Government & Public Sector

As of 1 July 2025, initiatives have been incorporated into Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) to encourage and increase government procurement of First-Nations-owned businesses and SMEs – see Media Release. This directive is one of the Priority Reforms identified under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to change the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

For the 2026-27 financial year, Indigenous procurement volume and value targets specified in the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) have increased to 3.25% of eligible procurement opportunities for each Portfolio, based on AusTender contract data.

To support Federal Government agencies in achieving their procurement targets, exemptions have been created for the CPRs. Exemption 16 of Appendix A allows Federal Government agencies to engage majority-Aboriginal-owned businesses through direct approaches before going to market.
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​This exemption applies to all SMEs that meet the definition of an "Indigenous Enterprise" under the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP), and it is important to note that there is no limit on the value of goods and services directly procured under exemption 16.

​IPS meets and exceeds this definition as an SME with majority First Nations ownership, over 52%. Additionally, IPS is one of only 8 Indigenous-owned approved providers on the Management Advisory Services (MAS) Panel and can be engaged through this method also.

Additionally, Federal Government agencies must also comply with the IPP Mandatory Set Aside rules, which state that for procurement is between $80,000 - $200,000 (GST inclusive), Commonwealth procuring officials must first determine whether there is an Indigenous small or medium enterprise (SME) that could deliver the required goods or service on a value for money basis, before going to market or using an existing panel arrangement (some exceptions apply).

Using the Fed Gov IPP - Download PDF

Western Australian Government - Aboriginal Procurement Policy

The WA Government Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) is designed to increase contracting opportunities for Aboriginal businesses through government procurement. The APP mandates targets for the award of contracts to Aboriginal businesses and ACCOs by WA Government agencies.

For the 2026-27 financial year the APP target is increasing to 5%.

​This means agencies will need to be even more intentional in how they plan and approach procurement.

Contact Us for support on engaging IPS using the APP.

Using the WA Gov APP - Download PDF