Government procurement governance
- NSW’s devolved governance structure makes each agency responsible for their own procurement.
- The NSW Procurement Board sets a whole-of-government strategic approach.
- The board has the statutory power to issue board directions.
- You must follow all board directions that relate to your agency and your procurement.
How the devolved structure works
In NSW, government procurement operates within a devolved governance structure. In this structure:
- the NSW Procurement Board sets the government-wide strategic approach to procurement
- each agency is responsible for their own procurement. The agency head enters into arrangements and ensures compliance to policy and law.
What Board Directions are
The Procurement Board has the statutory power to issue board directions to agencies on procuring goods and services, including construction contracts.
This authority comes from section 175 of the Public Works and Procurement Act 1912.
Board directions have the standing of law. Agencies must follow them wherever they’re relevant.
View all board directions.
Who is in the Procurement Board
The Procurement Board consists of the heads of at least 6 other government departments, or their appointed deputies.
The Secretary of NSW Treasury has delegated the chair of the board to the Deputy Secretary, Commercial.
A subcommittee supports the board, operating as a governance body.
What the Procurement Leadership Group does
The Procurement Leadership Group (PLG) is the Procurement Board’s principal advisory group. The PLG advises on:
- whole-of-government procurement strategy
- financial performance
- practices, policies and guidelines
- resource and capability planning
- innovation plan.