Procurement assurance: assessments, investigation and complaints

The Queensland Government Procurement (QGP) Assurance Branch (the Branch) aims to ensure government suppliers meet their commitments to the Queensland Government Supplier Code of Conduct (the Code) and create a level playing field in the government marketplace. By applying the Procurement Assurance Model (PAM), the Branch supports suppliers, upholds integrity, accountability and delivers the best value for Queenslanders.

The Branch comprises two specialist units:

  • Assurance and Investigation Unit
  • Strategy and Coordination Unit.

Together these units conduct assessments of suppliers, manage escalated complaints about suppliers and support suppliers’ adherence to the Code’s standards to strengthen Queensland's supply chains.

Working closely with agencies, the Branch implements the PAM by:

  • recognising ethical and high-performing suppliers
  • providing access to capability building resources to support suppliers in meeting the Code’s standards and
  • conducting assurance assessments to determine suppliers’ adherence to the Code

Insights from assessments and complaint investigations drive continuous improvement by informing our guidance material and policy development. This makes it easier for suppliers to work with government while safeguarding against poor practices that undermine trust and value for money.

Assurance and Investigation Unit (AIU)

The AIU plays a critical role in supporting suppliers to meet their commitments to the Code. The Queensland Government is committed to doing business with suppliers who uphold the principles of integrity, accountability, and ethical behaviour outlined in the Code.

Through its work, the AIU provides a solid foundation for the procurement process, supporting fairness and transparency. The AIU currently offers support for the following policies and initiatives:

  • Queensland Government Supplier Code of Conduct
  • Purposeful Public Procurement (as part of the QPP)
  • Procurement Assurance Model Framework
  • Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy

The Queensland Government's Building and Construction Training Policy aims to:

  • Create employment opportunities and skills development for apprentices and trainees.
  • Increase the economic independence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders in the construction industry.

The AIU, in consultation with the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET), has developed the following templates and guidance materials to assist principal contractors:

These documents are designed to help principal contractors understand the evidence required to support their new entrant and other workforce training hours entries in the Training Policy Administration System (TPAS).

Assurance Assessments

The Assurance and Investigations Unit (AIU) conducts assurance assessments across all government procurement categories to evaluate supplier performance against their commitment s to the Queensland Government Supplier Code of Conduct. Code.

Suppliers are identified for assessment by Procurement Category Councils s , based on a range of risk factors specific to each procurement category. As part of these assessments, suppliers are required to provide relevant information to demonstrate their adherence to the obligations outlined in the Supplier Code of Conduct Code and their contract. These assessments support suppliers in meeting their contracted obligations and delivering high-value, high-quality outcomes for Queensland.

Where gaps in systems or processes are identified, suppliers are supported with guidance and capability-building initiatives to address these issues and improve their practices. Only when the most egregious unmet commitments are identified will may a supplier potentially face removal from the government supply chain.

Investigations and Complaints

The (AIU) also manages complaints and investigations relating to suppliers' adherence to the Code. Allegations of unmet commitments to the Code may arise from assurance assessments, referrals from procuring agencies, or complaints submitted by other suppliers, members of the public or stakeholder groups.

The AIU triages and assesses these allegations alongside any evidence provided by the procuring agency or complainant. Matters requiring further investigation are managed in accordance with the guidelines of the PAM, with procedural fairness an integral component of the investigative process. This ensures all parties involved are provided with a fair opportunity to respond to allegations, present evidence, and have their perspectives considered before any findings or decisions are made. This approach upholds transparency, accountability, and impartiality throughout the investigation.

Findings from investigations will be communicated to the complainant or the procuring agency when possible and appropriate. If a potential regulatory breach is identified, the matter may also be referred to the relevant regulator.

Suppliers and agencies can submit complaints about government procurement processes via the dedicated whole-of-government complaints process.

For more information, refer to Make a complaint about a procurement process.

Strategy and Coordination Unit

The Strategy and Coordination Unit (SCU):

  • undertakes policy development, implementation and review
  • provides up-to-date advice to government agencies regarding application of the Procurement Assurance Model
  • facilitates access to practical guidance, training and resources for building agency and supplier capability and
  • manages the Queensland Government Procurement Assurance Portal.

Contact us

Assurance and Investigation Unit

Strategy and Coordination Unit

Make a complaint about a procurement process

Suppliers and members of the public can make a complaint about any government procurement process via the dedicated whole-of-government complaints process website.

Complaints can be made: