APS Procurement and Contract Management Profession Strategy

Procurement and contract management are essential to delivering public value, achieving government outcomes and ensuring the effective stewardship of public resources. The Australian Public Service (APS) Procurement and Contract Management Profession Strategy provides a roadmap for strengthening professional capability, improving practice and building a connected community of procurement and contract management professionals across the APS.

The strategy supports the development of a highly skilled workforce that can confidently plan, source, manage and evaluate procurement and contract activities. It aims to strengthen professional standards, build capability and promote consistent practices that deliver value for money, manage risk and support effective service delivery.

By investing in people, capability and professional development, the strategy helps the APS meet increasing expectations for transparency, accountability and performance in procurement and contract management.

What are the benefits?

• Builds procurement and contract management capability across the APS
• Supports professional development and career pathways for practitioners
• Strengthens consistency, professionalism and better practice across government
• Improves value for money, contract performance and risk management outcomes
• Promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing and professional networks
• Supports ethical, accountable and transparent management of public resources

What this resource covers

The strategy focuses on strengthening the APS Procurement and Contract Management Profession through:

• Capability development: Building the skills, knowledge and expertise required for contemporary procurement and contract management.
• Professionalisation: Establishing common standards, professional pathways and development opportunities.
• Workforce growth and sustainability: Attracting, developing and retaining skilled practitioners across government.
• Community and collaboration: Encouraging knowledge sharing, networking and the adoption of better practice.
• Future readiness: Preparing the APS to respond to evolving procurement challenges, market conditions and government priorities.

Together, these priorities support a capable, connected and future-focused profession.

About the strategy

This document provides an overview of the APS Procurement and Contract Management Profession Strategy and its vision for strengthening capability across government.

It supports employees to:

• understand the strategic direction of the profession.
• develop procurement and contract management capability.
• explore professional development and career opportunities.
• apply better practice approaches to procurement and contract management.
• contribute to effective stewardship of public resources.

The document provides a practical foundation for understanding how the APS is building procurement and contract management capability to support better government outcomes, value for money and public trust.