Who buys, and where government IT tenders are advertised
Australian Government ICT work is published on AusTender, and much of it runs through panels and marketplaces. State governments, councils and universities use their own portals.
See where to find tenders in Australia for every official portal.
What buyers usually ask for
- How you will deliver, implement or support the system
- Information security and privacy, including where data is stored
- Service levels, support hours and response times
- Key people, their roles and certifications
- Licensing, pricing model and total cost over the contract
- Transition in, and how data is handed back at the end
Common knock outs to check first
- A security standard or assessment the buyer names as mandatory, such as ISO 27001 or a government assessment
- Data that must stay in Australia
- Required insurances, often professional indemnity and cyber cover
- Mandatory forms, pricing schedules or response templates
Read our guide to tender knock outs for how to find them all.
How to stand out in cyber security tenders
- Map your answer to each requirement in their specification, line by line
- Be specific about hosting location and who can access data
- Show a similar implementation with a referee
- Price in the buyer's schedule and state what is excluded
Before you decide to bid
Check you can meet every mandatory requirement, that the size and location suit you, and that you have a similar job and a referee to show. If three answers are no, it is usually one to walk away from. Use our go or no go questions.
Questions
Do I need to be on a panel to win government IT work?
Often, yes, for recurring work. Some agencies buy IT services through panels or marketplaces, so check whether the work you want is bought that way and when the panel reopens.
Can a small business win IT tenders?
Yes. Many contracts are sized for small and medium businesses, and some buyers have policies that support them. Pick tenders that match your capacity, and prove every claim with past work and referees.