The short answerEach state and territory runs its own tender portal and procurement rules: NSW eTendering, Buying for Victoria, QTenders, Tenders WA, SA Tenders and Contracts, Tasmanian Government Tenders, Tenders ACT and the NT's Quotations and Tenders Online. Registering is free. Some work also needs prequalification, such as Victoria's Construction Supplier Register.
The portals
| Government | Portal |
|---|---|
| Australian Government | AusTender |
| New South Wales | NSW eTendering |
| Victoria | Buying for Victoria |
| Queensland | QTenders |
| Western Australia | Tenders WA |
| South Australia | SA Tenders and Contracts |
| Tasmania | Tasmanian Government Tenders |
| Australian Capital Territory | Tenders ACT |
| Northern Territory | Quotations and Tenders Online |
Portal list from business.gov.au and the Department of Finance, checked 03/11/2026.
Prequalification and codes
Some state work is limited to prequalified suppliers, and some states add their own codes. For example, Victorian contracts over the Fair Jobs Code threshold need a Pre Assessment Certificate (Buying for Victoria).
Getting started in a new state
- Register on that state's portal.
- Read the state's supplier guidance pages.
- Check for any prequalification or code that applies to your work.
- Set alerts for your categories.
Differences to watch
- Thresholds and rules for quotes versus tenders
- Industry participation or local content policies
- Prequalification schemes for construction
- State workplace laws, such as Victoria's OHS laws
Before your first state tender
- Register on the portal. Each state and territory runs its own portal. Registration and alerts are usually free.
- Check prequalification. Some categories, often construction and some services, need you to be prequalified or on a supplier list before you can tender.
- Read the state policies. Local jobs, industry participation and social procurement policies can apply and may be scored.
- Check the state forms. Statutory declarations, WHS and insurance requirements can differ from Commonwealth ones.
Our guide to finding tenders lists the official portals.
Questions
Do I need to register in every state?
Only where you want to bid. Each portal is separate and free to join.
Are state rules the same as Commonwealth rules?
No. Each state and territory has its own procurement policies and thresholds.
Can I bid in a state where I have no office?
Usually, yes, unless the tender requires a local presence. Show how you will service the work.