Build practical procurement capability to support transparent, efficient, and value-driven outcomes for the ACT and Commonwealth Governments. This course builds public sector procurement capability to strengthen governance, support effective public service delivery, and enhance public trust.

Who should attend?

This program is ideal for:

• ACT Government and APS employees involved in procurement or contract management
• Project officers or administrative staff who support procurement activities
• Staff new to procurement or those seeking a refresher, aligned to current policy and expectations

Is this course right for you?

• Are you responsible for sourcing goods or services, managing procurement processes, or supporting project delivery within a public sector agency?
• Do you want to strengthen your understanding of public sector procurement while ensuring you meet compliance obligations and deliver value for taxpayers?
• This course is designed for public sector staff working in or with procurement who want to build confidence, capability, and clarity in their role.

What will you gain?

Procurement in the public sector is not just about purchasing—it is about enabling effective service delivery, achieving value for money, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency.

This one-day, highly practical program will equip you with:

Core knowledge and skills to:

• Navigate the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) and relevant ACT Government procurement policies.
• Understand the principles of value for money, ethical conduct, and accountable decision-making.
• Apply a structured, end-to-end procurement process including:
  • early planning and defining needs
  • engaging with the market
  • developing evaluation criteria
  • conducting fair and defensible tender evaluations
  • managing risks, contracts, and supplier performance
• Identify and mitigate common risks and probity issues in procurement.
• Use practical tools, templates, and methodologies to plan, execute, and monitor procurement effectively.

Learning approach

Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, you will explore real-world scenarios relevant to ACT and APS procurement environments. Facilitated by experienced procurement professionals, this program supports peer learning, reflection, and immediate workplace application.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and frameworks that underpin public sector procurement
• Apply consistent, compliant, and value-focused procurement practices
• Confidently engage in procurement planning, market approaches, and evaluation
• Recognise and address procurement risks and integrity considerations
• Contribute to achieving public value and strategic objectives through procurement

If you would like to learn more about this course or our other offerings, please contact the IPAA ACT team on 02 6154 9800 or capability@act.ipaa.org.au.

Courses that do not reach the minimum required participants 14 days before the commencement date will be cancelled with a full refund.

If you work for the federal or ACT public service, or in the broader public-for-purpose sector, you’re most likely already a member of IPAA ACT. Check our membership list if you’re not sure.

Meet your facilitator

Paul Vorbach MCom, LLM, MBA, FAICD, FGIA

Paul Vorbach is a Director, AcademyGlobal and NSW Councillor, Australian Institute of Company Directors, and Non-Executive Director. He is an adjunct at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and previously Honorary Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Paul also sits on the Commonwealth Government supported Australasian Procurement and Construction Council. Paul has twenty years’ experience in corporate governance roles and over thirty years in senior management, the first half of which was in the financial services sector, the second half in academia and professional education, where he has undertaken assignments in over twenty countries across five continents.

He has delivered training in procurement and contract management throughout Australia across all levels of government. Paul has developed the official procurement and contract management curriculum for NSW and QLD Governments and the PSP50616 Diploma and PSP60616 Advanced Diploma of Procurement and Contracting for UQ Skills, the Registered Training Organisation of the University of Queensland, which he delivers and assesses. In addition to his strong training credentials, Paul brings deep practical, technical and governance experience across public and private sector procurement, contract management, finance and risk management systems and processes. Paul has previously held senior management roles at Deloitte and Citigroup.