Selling goods and services to the NSW Government and councils can be an important growth opportunity for small businesses. The NSW Government spends more than $40 billion each year on the procurement of goods, services and construction.

It can be challenging, however, for a business to qualify as a government supplier, identify suitable tender opportunities and navigate the procurement process.

Becoming a supplier to government was the making of building and construction company, Bygroup

The NSW Government wants to source more of the goods and services it purchases each year from NSW small businesses and has introduced new policies to achieve this. The Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy, for example, allows Government agencies to directly procure goods and services from an SME or regional business up to the value of  $150,000.

Tender Support

The NSW Government asked the NSW Small Business Commissioner to develop a tender support program to help small businesses qualify as government suppliers and compete successfully for government contracts. Some of the tools and resources will also be useful for small businesses tendering for local council and private sector contracts.

Online Training

The Commission has partnered with TAFE NSW to deliver online training modules for small businesses on how to become a successful supplier to the NSW Government. The modules cover four major topics:

• Getting Business Ready
• Finding Opportunities
• Selling to Government
• Successful Supplying

Those who successfully complete the courses receive a certificate of acknowledgment.

The training is free to access for registered small businesses. For more information, including registration and course information, visit TAFE NSW Selling to NSW Government Micro Skills course.

Guide for Small Business

The Commission has developed the 45-page manual Selling to the NSW Government: A Guide for Small Business, which provides key information about the processes and requirements involved in supplying goods and services to the NSW Government, such as how to become qualified to tender, how to identify tender opportunities and how to respond to a tender.

The guide also includes useful templates for required documents, such as a business's capability statement and referee report.

Download the guide, Selling to the NSW Government: A Guide for Small Business.

Where to find tender opportunities

NSW Government

The NSW eTendering website lists current, upcoming and closed tender opportunities from Government agencies. 

Local Councils

Councils list tender opportunities in their local government area on their websites. You can find your Local Council website through the Office of Local Government.

Selling to the NSW Government Factsheet

This factsheet is a ready reference on key steps in the tendering process and how to find opportunities with Government.

Download the factsheet, Selling to the NSW Government - A quick reference for small business.

 

For more information

• TAFE NSW Selling to NSW Government Micro Skills course
• Download Selling to the NSW Government: A Guide for Small Business.
• Access the factsheet, Selling to the NSW Government - A quick reference for small business