Improving Whole of Government Contracting: BSCAA Engagement with the Department of Finance

BSCAA has continued its advocacy with the Australian Government Department of Finance regarding contractor concerns under the Whole of Government (WoAG) arrangements, representing the interests of cleaning, security, and facilities management contractors delivering essential services to government.

In November 2025, BSCAA formally wrote to the Department of Finance to raise urgent and systemic concerns being experienced by contractors operating under WoAG frameworks, including ongoing payment delays, inconsistent contract management practices, workforce clearance challenges, administrative inefficiencies, and the lack of a direct industry voice within the current governance model. The letter also called for more structured engagement, including the establishment of a contractor advisory forum.

Following this correspondence, BSCAA met with representatives from the Department of Finance on 10 December 2025 as part of WoAG 2.0 discussions. This meeting provided valuable insight into the Department’s objectives, constraints, and policy intent, while also enabling BSCAA to directly convey the real-world impacts of WoAG implementation on contractors, cash flow, workforce stability, and service delivery.

Key issues raised included:

• extended payment delays caused by invoicing and system failures
• governance and accountability gaps in outsourced facilities management arrangements
• excessive security‑clearance delays contributing to workforce shortages
• commercial pressures created by tender models prioritising lowest cost over sustainable delivery
• increasing financial risk for contractors ahead of Payday Super commencing in July 2026

While this engagement does not resolve the issues overnight, it represents a constructive step forward in establishing clearer dialogue between government and industry. The discussion has improved visibility of the operational realities facing contractors and reinforced the importance of ongoing industry involvement in policy and implementation settings.

BSCAA will continue to engage with the Department of Finance, advocate for practical improvements to WoAG governance and contract management, and press for mechanisms that ensure ethical, efficient, and financially sustainable service delivery across government portfolios.