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Procurement compliance and complaints

The Queensland Government Procurement (QGP) Compliance Branch (previously the QPP Compliance Unit) has been established to ensure a level playing field where government suppliers and agencies meet their commitments under the:

The Compliance Branch is made up of the Buy Queensland Audit team, the Compliance Coordination and Referral team and the Policy and Implementation team. These teams work together to conduct audits and investigations, manage procurement complaints, review tenders and ensure that suppliers deliver genuine, quality and secure ongoing jobs with fair pay and safe working conditions.

The data collected from audits, investigations, and complaints, informs our guidance material and policy development so we can continuously improve compliance with the Queensland Procurement Policy to deliver on the Buy Queensland approach.

Compliance Coordination and Referral

The Compliance Coordination and Referral (CCR) team receive complaints relating to suppliers or agencies and the QPP. Non-compliances identified by the Buy Queensland Audit Team are also referred to the CCR team for assessment. After receiving a complaint or alleged non-compliances we assess, coordinate and refer these to the relevant procuring agency for investigation and, where required, the matter is also referred to the relevant regulator.

While the role of the CCR team is not to conduct investigations for agencies, we do advise on the approach and methodology of investigations as well as monitor progress of investigations.  The outcomes are used to recommend policy or process improvement to benefit Queenslanders.

Suppliers seeking inclusion in the Food and Beverage Supplier Directory and the COVID-19 Supplier Portal need to comply with the Queensland Supplier Code of Conduct. When requested by the agency, CCR will vet suppliers and check their application for suitability via an assurance and ratification process.

Recent enhancements to the CCR functions extend to reviewing a tender process when requested by the Chief Advisor - Procurement in consultation with procuring agency.

Buy Queensland Audit Team

The function of the Buy Queensland Audit Team (BQAT) is to strengthen existing policies and initiatives through a program of Audit of all BPP projects. Policies and initiatives are in place to provide guidance, and to further strengthen Queensland for Queenslanders.

The BQAT currently provides support on the following policies and initiatives:

  • Building and Construction Training Policy
  • Best Practice Principles
  • Food and Beverage Supplier Directory
  • Local Benefits Test.

Building and Construction Training Policy aims to create employment opportunities and skills development for apprentices and trainees. It also focuses on increasing the economic independence of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders in the industry.

Best Practice Principles provides guidelines for the highest possible standards of workplace health and safety, engaging in agreed numbers of trainees and apprentices and best practice industrial relations on major state government projects.

The Food and Beverage Directory is the Queensland Government commitment to buy Queensland food and beverages for its events and corporate functions. The directory identifies caterers and suppliers of food and beverage products that support local business and jobs.

The purpose of the Local Benefits Test is to evaluate the benefits that any supplier would bring to the local area. The focus of the test is the benefit the supplier can bring locally. For example, a supplier who is located outside the local area could still provide a benefit using a local workforce or by using local businesses including manufacturing in the supply chain.

Reports of non-compliance relating to these policies and initiatives may also be investigated by BQAT.

BQAT audit schedule is determined through risk assessments, focus areas, and random selection.

Policy and implementation

We manage the implementation and monitoring of the Ethical Supplier Mandate (Mandate) and Ethical Supplier Threshold (Threshold).

The Mandate affects suppliers who repeatedly breach contractual obligations, policies, or laws unless their conduct is due to an honest mistake, oversight, or accident. Demerits will be issued on a sliding scale for minor, moderate major or aggravated compliance issues.

Some examples of the Threshold include suppliers who have:

  • not paid (or paid the incorrect amount of) superannuation contributions on behalf of their employees in accordance with the law
  • treated employees as independent contractors when they are not or asked that they provide an ABN so that they could be treated as an independent contractor
  • entered into a labour hire arrangement with a person who is not licenced or where a supplier is an unlicensed provider under the Act
  • paid employees below the applicable modern award
  • engaged persons on unpaid work trials or unpaid interns where they should be treated as employees
  • contravened civil remedy provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) or the Industrial Relations Act 2016.

Make a complaint about a procurement process

Suppliers, find out how to make a procurement complaint.

Contact us

Procurement complaints

Buy Queensland audits and investigations

Ethical Supplier Mandate and Threshold

Last updated: 
1 April 2022