Driving Social Change Through Procurement
Established in 2013, Social Procurement Australasia is a volunteer-led organisation that brings together practitioners, governments, businesses, researchers, and community organisations committed to harnessing procurement’s power as a force for positive social change.
We raise awareness, connect practitioners with the best research and resources, and advocate for and champion the advancement of social procurement practices across Australia and New Zealand.
Social Procurement Australasia
Over the past 15 years, we have seen remarkable progress in both the policy and practice of social procurement in delivering sustainable social and economic outcomes for some of Australia’s most vulnerable communities.
Yet the progress is uneven. Policies, practice, and capability vary across jurisdictions and industries, as does the public value and impact being achieved.
Social Procurement Australasia (SPA) is a volunteer-led organisation committed to building on this success to strengthen and embed social procurement practices that will address some of our most critical social, environmental and economic challenges and deliver on-going positive impact for communities across Australia and New Zealand.
News and Events
Buying with purpose
Social procurement is buying with purpose. Every contract becomes a chance to create social value.
Buying grounds maintenance could include a requirement that >20% of the workforce employed by the contractor are people with significant barriers to employment. For example, disabilities, refugees, ex-offenders, people with mental health issues etc
Across Australasia, organisations across all sectors are integrating the achievement of social, economic and environment objectives into procurement policies, tendering and evaluation processes. Increasingly social procurement requirements are also being incorporated into project approval, funding, and regulatory processes.
Experience shows, however that even the best-designed policies, targets and measurement are not enough. Success relies on place-based solutions and a strong ecosystem that fosters collaboration between business, government, intermediaries, not-for-profits, social benefit suppliers, and the education and employment sectors.
Our Commitment
SPA advocates for and supports the development of capability, capacity and collaboration across the ecosystem, and works to ensure that social procurement continues to mature and deliver meaningful impact for people and communities. Together, we can shape the future of social procurement across Australasia.
Follow our Linkedin page at Social Procurement Australasia
The Social Procurement Network (SPN) exists to foster genuine relationships, create spaces for honest conversations and amplify the voices of those working on the ground to deliver social impact.
SPA has partnered with SPN to build on the strong foundations already laid. Recognising SPN’s success in fostering collaboration and sector-wide engagement, SPA will serve as a central platform to amplify SPN’s reach, elevate shared priorities and lead coordinated advocacy efforts.
Partnership with the Social Procurement Network
What is Social Procurement?
It’s buying with purpose. Every contract becomes a chance to support jobs, skills, and social outcomes.