Media Release
#PublicProcurementMatters - why you should join the profession addressing the big issues in our economy
By Teresa Scott, Executive Director, Australasian Procurement & Construction Council (APCC)
Monday 26 August 2024
The modern public procurement profession, including contract management, is the dedicated workforce that has the primary responsibility for championing government outcomes through agency procurement spend in collaboration with service providers.
Public procurement drives economic growth, innovation, resilient supply chains, and competitiveness within national and local economies. It contributes to the overall welfare and progress of society while supporting government in achieving the objectives of public administration and governance through the judicious management of public funds thus ensuring that taxpayer money is spent efficiently.
Public procurement is a $410 billion profession in Australia and New Zealand and has become a central lever of Government to manage major issues such as inflation, health, the environment and social outcomes.
Public procurement matters because in 2019 public procurement accounted for 40% of total government expenditure in Australia and 37% in New Zealand. Furthermore, public procurement represents approximately 16% of Australia and New Zealand’s GDP.
How government undertakes procurement matters.
It matters because, in addition to public procurement’s role in maximising the efficiency and the effectiveness of public spending, risk management and delivering compliant value for money outcomes, it now includes being a key strategic element in addressing major objectives such as, inflation, cost-of-living and environmental and social goals.
So, if you are currently studying, or considering a career shift, there is a place for you in this rapidly expanding profession.
There are a range of roles in public procurement from entry level, including graduates, through to Executive level. As such it offers a rewarding career path for school levers and those seeking a more impactful public sector career. Positions cover strategy and policy development, engaging with commercial risk, business law, sourcing, negotiation, data analysis, contract and supplier management.
Public procurement is central in addressing Government Governance, Risk, Compliance and Integrity (GRCI) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns.
GRCI in public procurement now range from those more ‘traditional’ concerns around integrity-related threats, bribery and corruption risks, resilience concerns, the financial stability of critical supplier risks, governance and noncompliance concerns, and regulatory risks, to the more ‘modern’ concerns threatening public sector procurement outcomes, such as: information technology governance concerns, cybersecurity and privacy risks, reputational risks, and supply-chain certainty.
In addition, public procurement is a dynamic and impactful field that supports people, places, and the planet in profound ways.
By strategically sourcing goods and services, public procurement professionals ensure that communities have access to essential resources, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and technology.
This field promotes economic growth and social equity by emphasising support for local suppliers and minority-owned businesses to sell to government, fostering vibrant and resilient local economies. Moreover, public procurement champions sustainability, driving initiatives that reduce environmental impact and promote green practices.
By choosing public procurement as a career, you are not only shaping efficient and transparent government operations but also making a tangible difference in creating a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world for everyone. Join this rewarding profession and be a catalyst for positive change, improving the quality of life for people, enhancing the vitality of places, and protecting our precious planet.
Becoming a public procurement professional means that you will not only be ensuring that $410 billion of taxpayers’ money is spent efficiently and effectively, but addressing major issues such as equality, inflation, cost of living and climate change.
#PublicProcurementMatters. Join the public procurement profession today.
Media inquiries
Teresa Scott, Executive Director, APCC on 02 6285 2255. Refer to: www.APCC.gov.au
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