Consider social procurement
When buying for Queensland Government, consider how you can help advance the government's economic, environmental and social objectives.
Social procurement means using the government's purchasing power to generate social benefits, particularly employment. You are required under the Queensland Procurement Policy to use your best endeavours to do business with ethically, environmentally and socially responsible suppliers.
Access the Social Traders portal
To find certified social enterprises, you can access the Social Traders portal.
Benefits of social procurement
- Creates job and employment opportunities through smarter procurement processes, targeted clauses and specifications in contracts, and better informed government buyers.
- Addresses complex local challenges.
- Promotes fair and ethical trade.
- Enhances social inclusion, giving vulnerable groups the opportunity to participate in the community and the economy.
- Increases supplier diversity by engaging small-to-medium businesses and social enterprises to play a larger role in delivery of government contracts.
What to consider when buying
- Ensure social procurement forms part of your procurement objectives.
- Before buying, seek advice from Queensland Government Procurement, your legal team, and organisations established to support social benefit providers.
- Make sure social procurement clauses in tenders or contracts are proportional—make it achievable for suppliers to fulfil their social benefit obligations.
How to achieve social procurement
Here are some of the many effective ways to include social benefits when buying for government.
- Buy from social enterprises (refer to organisations listed below).
- Include social clauses in tenders and contracts—ask that a portion of work be completed by a social enterprise, or require mainstream suppliers to deliver social benefits such as employment opportunities for vulnerable jobseekers.
- Consider the local community you are buying for—how could you make a positive difference through your choice of supplier?
- Purchase fair trade products.
- Seek out organisations that provide employment to vulnerable Queenslanders; for example, organisations that provide opportunities for people with a disability.
Understanding social procurement
This animated video highlights how there is always an opportunity for government buyers to undertake social procurement.
Social procurement buyer toolkit
- Social Procurement – Quick Reference Guide (PDF, 175KB) (DOCX, 99KB)
- Frequently asked questions
- Social procurement guide (PDF, 700KB)
- Social procurement - example clauses for tenders and contracts (PDF, 720KB)
- Diversity in supply arrangements guide (PDF, 650KB)
- Social enterprise certification guide (PDF, 70KB)
- Sustainability guide (PDF, 566KB)
- Ending Domestic and Family Violence (PDF, 480KB)
Social procurement in action
- QBuild and Woodford Correctional Centre
- Digital solution for the Department of Transport and Main Roads delivers social impact for people with disability
- RoadTek - social procurement case study
- TransLink and HELP - social procurement case study
- Building and Asset Services and Yourtown
- CarbonPlus Fund creates regional jobs
- Substation33 – Social enterprise helps overcome 'digital divide'
- Ability Enterprises – Employing all abilities wins success
- Access Community Services Limited – Continuing support with community collaboration
- Social procurement partnership helps prisoners create a better future
Resources
- Buyability Interactive Map
- Black Business Finder
- SupplyNation
- Queensland Social Enterprise Council membership list
- Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy
Associations and organisations
- Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC)
- Social Procurement Australasia
- Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
- Social Traders
- ArcBlue
- Buyability