❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses local content requirements and supplier nomination in Department of Housing and Works tenders, particularly concerning the 'Made in WA' plan and potential disadvantages to local businesses.
AnsweredQoN 1035Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government's 'Made in WA' plan and with regards to tenders, and I ask: (a) What local content is required or specified in tenders by the Department of Housing and Works: (i) Does this differ between metro and regional projects or is it uniform across the state; and (b) Why are brand names and suppliers nominated in tenders: (i) Are brands and suppliers local to the project given preference or an opportunity to be part of the tender; and (ii) Is the government aware of any instances where local suppliers and small businesses are being prevented from pricing to tenderers because of this model?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
4 days
I thank the Member for some notice of the question.
a) Local content requirements differ from contract-to-contract, depending on the specific circumstances and the opportunities available. DHW procurement processes provide price preferences for tenderers that are local and/or commit to use local businesses in the delivery of each project.
i) No.
b) DHW seeks to minimise references to particular brand names and suppliers in its tenders. Materials and products are specified generically wherever possible and suppliers are not identified unless there is a bona fide sole source of supply.
Brands and suppliers may be nominated in certain tenders where it has been established that only those brands can meet the requirement or there are exceptional circumstances that warrant inclusion.
i) DHW generally contracts with a single head building contractor. When procuring these services, DHW gives preferences to contractors who commit in their tender to use local suppliers, small businesses, and registered aboriginal businesses.
DHW’s evaluation criteria for open tender construction projects also typically includes a weighting for the Western Australian Industry Participation Scheme (WAIPS).
a) Local content requirements differ from contract-to-contract, depending on the specific circumstances and the opportunities available. DHW procurement processes provide price preferences for tenderers that are local and/or commit to use local businesses in the delivery of each project.
i) No.
b) DHW seeks to minimise references to particular brand names and suppliers in its tenders. Materials and products are specified generically wherever possible and suppliers are not identified unless there is a bona fide sole source of supply.
Brands and suppliers may be nominated in certain tenders where it has been established that only those brands can meet the requirement or there are exceptional circumstances that warrant inclusion.
i) DHW generally contracts with a single head building contractor. When procuring these services, DHW gives preferences to contractors who commit in their tender to use local suppliers, small businesses, and registered aboriginal businesses.
DHW’s evaluation criteria for open tender construction projects also typically includes a weighting for the Western Australian Industry Participation Scheme (WAIPS).
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