In order to be successful when selling to government, it's important for you to understand the rules and processes involved. Knowing your customer and taking advantage of the right opportunities is critical.

Selling to the Australian Government: A guide for business

Selling to the Australian Government: A guide for business is aimed at providing you with essential information when competing for Australian Government business, such as:

• how the Government market works
• the rules applying to Government purchasing from the private sector
• finding business tender opportunities
• winning government business.

Selling to state & territory governments

Government websites in all states and territories list current, past and future tenders and contracts. Most of these websites provide valuable information about the procurement process and how to plan, prepare and submit tenders.

There may be considerable differences between procurement policies in each state or territory, so it is important for you to ensure you have the correct information.

Multi Use Lists (MUL)

Multi Use Lists are lists of suppliers that wish to sell to the Australian Government. Australian Government departments and agencies can use the list to source suppliers of goods and services and to select tender. If you are a supplier wishing to sell to the Australian Government, you can apply to be included on a Multi Use List relating to your industry.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) suppliers can register on the ICT MUL which provides a list of ICT suppliers that Australian Government agencies can use to source ICT goods and services and to select tender.

Small and medium enterprise (SME) participation ICT procurement policy

This policy is designed to encourage SME participation in Government procurements of ICT products and services with an expected value of over $20 million.

Late payment interest

The Government has announced a policy of paying interest on late payments to small businesses. The Procurement 30 Day Payment Policy for Small Business (the policy) states that, for written contracts up to A$1 million (GST inclusive), agencies are to pay interest on late payments following receipt of a correctly rendered invoice.

This policy is in effect as of 1 December 2008 and does not apply to procurements where prior to this date, a written contract or standing offer was already in place or in the process of being negotiated.

Details of this policy can be found on the Department of Finance and Deregulation website.