Where councils advertise
On their own website's tenders page or the eProcurement portal they use. Some also join shared contracts and panels. Search the council name plus tenders.
What councils often score
- Price
- Relevant experience, often with other councils
- Methodology and resources
- WHS and environmental management
- Local presence or local benefit, where the council has a policy
Tips
- Start with councils near you.
- Get onto panels for recurring work.
- Ask for a debrief after every outcome.
Getting onto council panels
Many councils buy recurring services through panels. Getting onto a panel usually means responding to a tender for the panel itself. Once on it, you may be asked for quotes for individual jobs. Keep your panel details and insurances current.
Council evaluation in practice
Councils typically publish the criteria and weightings in the request. Local presence, community benefit or environmental performance may be scored where the council has a policy. Read the evaluation section closely and address every criterion.
What councils often look for
- Local presence. Some councils give weight to local suppliers or local employment. Check the criteria; do not assume.
- Community and environment. Social and sustainability criteria are common in council work. Answer them with real actions, not policy statements.
- Responsiveness. For maintenance and service contracts, councils want clear response times and a named contact.
- Clean compliance. Insurance, WHS systems and licences are checked carefully before scoring.
Questions
Do councils use AusTender?
No. AusTender is for the Australian Government. Councils publish on their own sites or portals.
Do councils favour local businesses?
Some councils have local benefit or local content policies. Check the evaluation criteria in each tender.
Do councils have to advertise all tenders?
Each state's local government laws set when councils must tender publicly. Below those thresholds, councils may invite quotes.
Do councils use the same portal?
Not always. Some councils use a shared state or commercial portal, and others run their own. Check the council's tenders page and register where it points you.