While AusTender handles Commonwealth procurement, each Australian state and territory has its own tendering portal and processes. Mastering these opens up significantly more opportunities. Here's your complete guide to tendering across all Australian jurisdictions.

New South Wales - NSW eTendering

Portal: tenders.nsw.gov.au

NSW is Australia's largest state economy, and its government is a major procurer of goods and services. The eTendering system is well-organised and user-friendly.

Key features:
• Free registration for suppliers
• Email alerts based on UNSPSC codes
• Historical tender data available
• Prequalification schemes for construction and other sectors
• NSW Procurement Policy Framework emphasises value for money

Local content requirements apply to many contracts, favouring NSW-based businesses.

Victoria - Buying for Victoria

Portal: buyingfor.vic.gov.au

Victoria's procurement portal is comprehensive and includes opportunities from departments, agencies, and local councils.

Key features:
• Supplier Connect registration
• Social Procurement Framework—weighting for social enterprises, Indigenous businesses, disability enterprises
• Local Jobs First policy for contracts over $3 million
• Strong emphasis on ethical and sustainable procurement
• Prequalification registers for various services

Victoria's social procurement emphasis means businesses with strong social impact stories have competitive advantages.

Queensland - QTenders

Portal: forgov.qld.gov.au/qtenders

Queensland's system covers state departments, statutory bodies, and government-owned corporations.

Key features:
• Queensland Procurement Policy emphasises local suppliers
• Best Practice Principles for significant projects
• Focus on regional economic development
• Indigenous procurement policy with targets
• Prequalification for building and civil construction

Western Australia - Tenders WA

Portal: tenders.wa.gov.au

WA's resource-rich economy means significant procurement in mining services, infrastructure, and related sectors.

Key features:
• Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy (WAIPS)
• Aboriginal Procurement Policy
• Buy Local Policy for regional purchases
• Prequalification for various service categories
• Strong focus on supporting WA businesses

South Australia - SA Tenders

Portal: tenders.sa.gov.au

Key features:
• Industry Participation Policy with weighted scoring
• Aboriginal Business Procurement Policy
• Strong emphasis on economic contribution to SA
• Across-government contracts for common goods and services
• Simplified processes for lower-value procurement

Tasmania - Tenders Tasmania

Portal: tenders.tas.gov.au

Key features:
• Buy Local policy supporting Tasmanian businesses
• Treasurer's Instructions on procurement
• Emphasis on supporting small business
• Relatively simpler processes compared to larger states

Northern Territory - NT Tenders

Portal: quotetender.nt.gov.au

Key features:
• Buy Local Plan with value-add assessments
• Aboriginal Contracting Framework
• Territory Enterprise preferences
• Smaller market with significant opportunities in remote service delivery

Australian Capital Territory - Tenders ACT

Portal: tenders.act.gov.au

Key features:
• Secure Local Jobs Code
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Policy
• Focus on ethical suppliers and modern slavery compliance
• Relatively straightforward processes

Tips for Multi-State Tendering

1. Register on all relevant portals—each has its own registration
2. Understand local content requirements—they vary significantly
3. Consider establishing local presence or partnerships in key states
4. Track different procurement thresholds and processes
5. Note that prequalification in one state doesn't transfer to others

Respondo helps you manage tender opportunities across all Australian jurisdictions, automatically tracking requirements and compliance needs for each state's unique policies.