The short answerAustralian Government tenders are published on AusTender, and each state and territory has its own free portal: 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. Councils publish on their own sites or eProcurement portals, and private buyers usually invite suppliers directly.
Government tender 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.
Other places to look
- BuyICT for digital and ICT work across government (business.gov.au).
- Councils: their own websites or the eProcurement portal they use. Check the council's tenders page.
- Prequalification schemes: some work is only open to registered suppliers, such as Victoria's Construction Supplier Register (Buying for Victoria).
- Paid aggregators that collect tenders from many sources into one search.
- Head contractors and facility managers, who invite subcontractors directly.
Tips
- Register on the portals where your buyers are and set up alerts for your categories.
- Register for each tender you download, so you receive every addendum.
- Read the Victorian portal's note: suppliers for contracts over the Fair Jobs Code threshold must hold a Pre Assessment Certificate (Buying for Victoria).
Set up alerts that work
- Register on AusTender and your state portal with an accurate business profile.
- Choose the categories that match your work, plus a few neighbouring ones.
- Add the councils you can service to a weekly check list.
- Review alerts weekly and run a quick go or no go on anything relevant.
Look at past contracts too
AusTender also shows contracts already awarded, who won them and their value (business.gov.au). Use it to see which agencies buy what you sell, when contracts end and who your competitors are.
Questions
Are government tender portals free?
Yes. Registering, downloading documents and setting up alerts on government portals is free.
What is the minimum value on AusTender?
The Australian Government publishes opportunities and contract notices valued at or above $10,000 on AusTender (business.gov.au).
Do councils use AusTender?
No. AusTender is for the Australian Government. Councils publish on their own sites or eProcurement portals.
How often should I check for new tenders?
At least weekly, with email alerts in between. Some tenders have short periods.