Following reforms to Tasmania’s Buy Local Policy, 96.6 percent of Tasmanian Government contracts valued above $50,000 were awarded to local businesses during the March 2026 quarter.
Representing $110.5 million in government work, this brings the value of contracts awarded to local suppliers to $733.7 million over the year to date, while the total value of all contracts stands at $1.062 billion as of March.
Commenting on the positive findings, Treasurer Eric Abetz said the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future delivers a Buy Local Policy that is “kicking goals” for local businesses.
“Our Buy Local Policy is about ensuring Tasmanian businesses are able to tender, undertake and complete Government work,” he said.
“We are keeping our economy strong and supporting local jobs through our Buy Local Policy.”
Further changes are now being made to the government’s quarterly reporting statistics to provide greater visibility into where public money is being invested and to demonstrate the economic impact of local contracting.
“We want even greater transparency on this to ensure Tasmanians know where their money is being invested,” said Abetz.
“This work has begun, and it is pleasing today to be able to talk to the real impact that it is already making.”
These measures build on amendments to the Buy Local Policy that took effect on 1 January 2026.
As reported by PASA, Tasmania introduced a streamlined approach to government procurement, rolling out a single-form tendering process to reduce red tape and make it easier for local businesses to win public sector contracts.
This was supported by updated Request for Quotation documents, refreshed guidance materials, a newly introduced Supplier Code of Conduct and new materials to support agencies in applying the Buy Local Policy.
The changes apply to procurements below set thresholds, generally under $250,000 for goods and services and up to $500,000 for construction, while higher-value or more complex contracts continue to follow existing procurement processes.
The Tasmanian Government also signed a Business-Government Charter with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in February, committing to greater contracting with local businesses.
The charter acts as a model litigant in any contractual disputes, while also ensuring that invoices from small and family businesses are paid within 14 days.
