Introduction to the Social Procurement Framework

Find out why the Victorian Government is committed to social procurement and how the Social Procurement Framework applies to procurement activities.

On this page

Value for money is the key driver underpinning all Victorian Government procurement decisions. Victoria’s Social Procurement Framework aims to ensure value-for-money considerations are not solely focused on price, but encompass opportunities to deliver social and sustainable outcomes that benefit the Victorian community.

The framework sets out a whole of government scalable and consistent approach to social procurement for all Government departments and agencies. For suppliers, whether they be major businesses or small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the framework advises how to incorporate social value when competing for government procurement opportunities.

Purpose of the Social Procurement Framework

The framework seeks to streamline and embed social procurement within ordinary government processes. The framework is informed by the following guiding principles:

  • a standard and consistent approach across the Victorian Government
  • easy to understand and adopt with minimal administrative burden for all businesses, especially small and medium enterprises
  • simple for government to embed in everyday business
  • scalable for all sizes and types of businesses and suppliers
  • user-friendly and supported with guidance, education, tools, and templates
  • able to be effectively measured and reported
  • demonstrates Government leadership in promoting the use of social procurement across Victoria.

Application of the Social Procurement Framework

The framework – and accompanying guidance materials – applies to procurement of all goods, services and construction undertaken by, or on behalf of, departments and agencies subject to the Standing Directions 2018 under the Financial Management Act 1994. Other Victorian public bodies are encouraged to adopt the framework.

The framework establishes:

  • the Victorian Government’s social and sustainable procurement objectives
  • framework requirements and expectations, for individual procurement activities and for department and agency procurement planning
  • measurement and reporting requirements

Tools and support

Content on this page is taken from Victoria’s Social Procurement Framework. Access a Word version in the social procurement document library.

For more information about social procurement, please contact the Buying for Victoria team.

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