All businesses that contract with or receive grants from Victorian Government departments and agencies for government projects must meet their commitments to local content and jobs, as set out in Local Jobs First.

Below is some high-level, practical information on how your business can get involved in supplying to government projects, and what happens once your business is selected by a contractor to deliver goods or services into a government project.

You’re keen to work on government projects, or supply goods or services, but how do you get involved?

  • Register your company’s capability with the ICN Gateway – remember to indicate areas of interest when you set up your company’s profile to ensure that you get alerted to relevant projects.
  • Make connections with companies that have contracts to supply into Victorian Government projects.
  • Express interest in work packages listed on ICN Gateway. This will mean that your company is put forward to the contractor to consider for their supply chain.
  • Government tenders are advertised through many different channels, so don’t forget to register with other relevant government tender websites. Business Victoria has some tips on finding government contacts.
  • If you are a business operating in the construction industry, you may also need to register with the Construction Supplier Register to supply into state government projects that are released by contractors.
  • Monitor Project Opportunities, the ICN Gateway and other government tender websites for projects or work packages of interest to your business.
  • Keep an eye out for industry events and briefings around upcoming projects and ensure that you attend.
  • If you are looking to grow, build capability or increase your competitiveness, consider connecting with a Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office.

Your business has been selected by a contractor to deliver goods or services into a government project. Congratulations! What do you do next?

  • If the project is Local Jobs First applicable, the contractor will have Local Jobs First commitments they will be seeking to deliver.
  • There will be monitoring and reporting requirements that you will need to integrate into your business.
  • If you are supplying goods, make sure that your invoicing and inventory systems are able to supply required information, including local content information for your product or service.
  • You will be required to supply information on jobs being supported by the contract, including apprentices, trainees and cadets.
  • For projects valued at $20 million or more, the contractor will be required to monitor and report local content and employment information through the ICN Analytics Platform. This is a secure cloud-based tool provided for free by the government to contractors and government departments and agencies.
  • If you have questions about any aspect of the project, you should speak with the lead contractor or the contracting department or agency.
  • If you are looking to grow, build capability or increase your competitiveness, consider connecting with a Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office.
  • As a supplier into a government project you may also be approached to participate in events to showcase the project, your capability and the excellence of the workforce delivering the project. This is a great way of promoting the great achievements from local businesses and workers on government projects.