Queensland Government Procurement Assurance Branch

The Queensland Government’s new Queensland Procurement Policy 2026 will take effect on 1 January 2026.

The current policy, including the Ethical Supplier Threshold, will remain in place until 31 December 2025.

The Ethical Supplier Mandate will also transition to the new Procurement Assurance Model on 1 January 2026.

Queensland Government Procurement Assurance Branch

Commencing 1 January 2026, the Queensland Government Procurement Assurance Branch (PAB), formerly the Queensland Government Procurement Compliance Branch, will apply the Procurement Assurance Model (PAM) to manage supplier commitments to the Supplier Code of Conduct (the Code).

Procurement Assurance Model (PAM)

The PAM is an incentive-based approach to procurement that fosters accountability, trust and stronger partnerships between suppliers and the government.

It is designed to ensure suppliers’ meet their commitments to the  the Code, which outlines clear expectations and standards required of businesses when supplying to the government.

The authority for applying the PAM is embedded in the Queensland Procurement Policy 2026 (QPP).

The PAB’s Assurance and Investigations Unit (AIU) alongside its Strategy and Coordination Unit (SCU) works with agencies to facilitate implementation of the PAM by:

  • recognising ethical and high-performing suppliers
  • providing capability building resources to help suppliers meet contractual commitments and the standards of the Code
  • conducting assurance assessments and investigating complaints to evaluate whether suppliers meet the standards of the Code and their contract commitments.

The PAM comprises 3 interconnected components that promote integrity, transparency and accountability in procurement.

Incentive scheme

Commencing 1 January 2027, the PAM’s new incentive scheme (the scheme) will encourage and reward high-performing, ethical suppliers.

Priciples that will guide design of the scheme are:

  1. Voluntary participation
  2. Simple registration involving a streamlined process without the need for a detailed application
  3. Centralised equitable assessments comprising a standardised, point-in-time evaluation of historical data on suppliers’ regulatory and contractual accountability.  New suppliers will be exempt from initial assessment until 12 months after initiating their first government contract
  4. Targeted support via Capability Building for suppliers that do not meet their desired incentive tier-rating
  5. Incentives will be shaped by consultation with agencies and industry to ensure the scheme is fit for purpose

Progressive updates on implementation of the PAM scheme will be available throughout 2026.

Capability building

Supports all suppliers, particularly small to medium enterprises and family businesses, to improve their ethical supply practices and address gaps by engaging in:

  • proactive capability building (optional) to help agencies and suppliers strengthen their understanding of the Code through early access to a range of free resources
  • reactive capability building (mandatory) comprising customised training and advice for suppliers needing to address specific issues, helping to lift capability and get back on track quickly.

The first phase of capability building resources will be available from 1 January 2026, with more initiatives to follow.

Accountability

Accountability ensures suppliers meet the Code’s standards and fulfill their contractual obligations, helping to prevent unethical practices that undermine productivity and value for taxpayers.

It prioritises capability building to support suppliers improve their practices, while empowering the government to take decisive action such as removing non-compliant suppliers or issuing sanctions, only when absolutely necessary. .

Implementation of the Accountability system will commence on 1 January 2026.

More information

For more information about the PAM: