❓ Hon Michelle Boylan questions the average contract length for regional community service providers and how current contracts support workforce retention. The Minister acknowledges the importance of long-term contracts and outlines the Department's approach, citing data from Tenders WA and the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy.
AnsweredQoN 624Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to repeated short-term contract extensions for regional community and human services in Western Australia (WA), and to pages 27 and 150 of the 2017 Service Priority Review recommending better coordination and long-term stewardship across government, and I ask: (a) what is the average contract length for regional community service providers; (b) what is the standard contract term applied to these service provider's agreements; and (c) how do the current contracts support the retention and stability needs of the regional workforce?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Community Services
Response time
5 days
(a-c)
I am unable to precisely answer question (a), as the scope and meaning of “regional community service providers” is not clear. However, a manual review of data extracted from Tenders WA between 1 July 2024 to 1 October 2025 reveals an average contract length for service level agreements of three years.
The Department of Communities (the Department) procurement of community services is underpinned by the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy (2025). The Government acknowledges the importance of long-term contracts in promoting employee retention and stability in regional locations; and endeavours to deliver five-year initial term contracts.
Contracts are informed by government strategic priorities, available budgets, and evaluation of the service and the needs of the community.
Where individual organisations are experiencing challenges, including retention and stability, the Department will work with them to offer support and partner with the organisation to identify and implement solutions where possible.
I am unable to precisely answer question (a), as the scope and meaning of “regional community service providers” is not clear. However, a manual review of data extracted from Tenders WA between 1 July 2024 to 1 October 2025 reveals an average contract length for service level agreements of three years.
The Department of Communities (the Department) procurement of community services is underpinned by the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy (2025). The Government acknowledges the importance of long-term contracts in promoting employee retention and stability in regional locations; and endeavours to deliver five-year initial term contracts.
Contracts are informed by government strategic priorities, available budgets, and evaluation of the service and the needs of the community.
Where individual organisations are experiencing challenges, including retention and stability, the Department will work with them to offer support and partner with the organisation to identify and implement solutions where possible.
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