Doing business

Doing business with government

The Australian Government and most state and territory governments are starting to use e-commerce to purchase goods and services. There is a growing commitment by governments to using online services and demonstrating the benefits of electronic trading to businesses and the community.

For businesses, this means that they can increasingly expect to be able to tender for business online, sell products and services online and do invoicing and receive payment online.

Just as significant as the adoption of e-commerce, is the growing number of government agencies and departments that provide online access to their services and products (eg car registration renewal, lands title searches, publications). Businesses save time by doing business with government online and government enjoys efficiency gains as well.

What to do

Check the following websites in your state or territory to discover what e-business you could be doing with your State government and the Australian government. Also check your local government's website.

Australian Government

www.business.gov.au The Business Entry Point acts as an online government resource for the Australian business community. It provides business with a wide range of services and information about start-up, taxation, licensing and legislation, as well as significant activities such as taxation compliance and licence applications.

www.ads.gov.au - Contains information on government tendering opportunities. http://www.tenders.gov.au - for a full Commonwealth Electronic Tendering System (CETS) http://www.contracts.gov.au - contains information about resulting contracts and standing offers and provides searching and reporting facilities for users.

www.esa.finance.gov.au - Provides information to firms wishing to trade with government about obtaining endorsed supplier status.

Australian Capital Territory

www.basis.act.gov.au - This site provides information on ACT Government procurement policy, principles and guidelines and provides details of contracts arranged by the Territory. It also provides a matchmaking service for suppliers located in the Australian Capital Region with business opportunities across all levels of government.

New South Wales

www.smarterbuying.nsw.gov.au/ - The Smarter Buying for Government strategy is the NSW framework for a new accelerated phase in procurement reform.

www.nsw.gov.au/business.asp - For the General Online Government Information Services for Business.

www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/nsw/index.shtml - Here you will find the most recent information about Department of Commerce business opportunities.

www.smartbuy.nsw.gov.au - Smartbuy is a whole-of-government electronic marketplace developed by the Department of Commerce for NSW Government agencies and other authorised buyers and suppliers.

www.cpsc.nsw.gov.au/e-procurement - The NSW Government Electronic Procurement Implementation Strategy is a framework which supports the take up of electronic commerce in procurement and information technology in construction.

www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au - For advice about e-business for SMEs.

Northern Territory

www.nt.gov.au/caps/tenders - This is an online tendering site where tender opportunities can be identified and documents downloaded.

Queensland

www.qgm.qld.gov.au - If you are currently a supplier to the Queensland government, or if you are interested in supplying goods and/or services you can use this site to find out about Queensland government purchasing activities.

South Australia

www.tenders.sa.gov.au - For a full government electronic tendering system.

www.ssb.sa.gov.au - For e-business advice to small business in South Australia.

Tasmania

www.purchasing.tas.gov.au - This site is a one-stop shop for businesses and government agencies wanting information on all aspects of government purchasing.

Victoria

www.vgpb.vic.gov.au - Information about Victorian government procurement policies and procedures.

www.tenders.vic.gov.au - Information for businesses about opportunities, and how to compete successfully for Victorian Government business.

www.hpv.org.au/ - Information about tenders and purchasing policies related to Victorian Health procurement.

www.mmv.vic.gov.au - Information about initiatives helping the uptake of e-commerce among business and information on e-commerce roadshows.

Western Australia

www.ecc.online.wa.gov.au This site is concerned with e-commerce issues in Western Australia.

www.gem.wa.gov.au/Gem/About/gem_approach This site provides information about government e-procurement in Western Australia.

www.sbdc.com The Small Business Development Centre has general information for small business on e-commerce and a more detailed learning site called e-start.

Important

Because websites can change in what they offer it is a good idea to develop a systemic review process that will ensure that the business is aware of all the possible and appropriate ways in which the Internet can be used fordoing business with government at all levels.