The Local Jobs First Act 2003 introduced in August 2018 brings together the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) and Major Project Skills Guarantee (MPSG) which were previously administered separately.
Departments and public sector bodies are required to apply the Local Jobs First policy in all projects valued at $3 million or more in Metropolitan Melbourne or for state-wide projects, or $1 million or more for projects in regional Victoria.
MPSG applies to all construction projects valued at $20 million or more. The MPSG guidelines and VIPP guidelines will continue to apply to MPSG-applicable and VIPP applicable projects respectively where contracts have been entered into prior to 15 August 2018.
During 2024–25, one Local Jobs First Standard project commenced under the Victorian Government’s eServices framework, with a total estimated contract value of GST $3.35 million (excluding GST) over the initial term. The project involved the provision of cloud-based digital services, professional support, and survey delivery capabilities for a large-scale workforce engagement program.
In accordance with the Local Jobs First Policy, the successful supplier submitted a certified Local Industry Development Plan (LIDP) outlining commitments to local content, supply chain participation, and performance monitoring. All reporting obligations are being managed through the Victorian Management Centre (VMC), including post-completion declarations.
While no MPSG requirements applied, the engagement supports Victorian industry through local service provision and subcontracting arrangements that incorporate Local Jobs First requirements.
The Social Procurement Framework (SPF) governs how the Victorian Government undertakes procurement to generate social and sustainable outcomes. It applies to the procurement of all goods, services and construction undertaken by, or on behalf of, public sector agencies subject to the Standing Directions 2018 under the Financial Management Act 1994 (Vic).
The Commission recognises that procurement activity presents a unique opportunity to drive positive social, economic and environmental impact across the state. The Commission leverages its buying power to contribute to a fair, inclusive and sustainable Victoria – going beyond the immediate value of the goods or services procured.
The Commission’s Social Procurement approach is guided by the Victorian Government’s SPF and focuses on achieving outcomes aligned to the following SPF objectives:
During the 2024–25 financial year, the Commission undertook a range of procurement activities that contributed to its social procurement objectives. These included:
To strengthen the delivery of social procurement outcomes, the Commission implemented a series of enabling initiatives during 2024–25:
Nil reports. The Commission did not have any advertising campaigns with a total media spend of $100,000 or greater (exclusive of GST) in 2024–25.
In 2024–25, there were 2 consultancies where the total fees payable to consultants were $10,000 or greater. The total expenditure incurred during 2024–25 in relation to these consultancies is $225,468 (excluding GST). Details of individual consultancies are outlined in the table below.
| Consultant | Purpose | Start date |
End date |
Total approved project fee (excl. GST) | Expenditure 2023-24 (excl. GST) | Future expenditure (excl. GST) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grosvenor Performance Group Pty Ltd | Victorian Government Graduate Program Review | 16/09/2024 | 30/06/2025 | $90,621 | $90,621 | Nil | ||||||
| KPMG | Return to Work Mobility Pilot Operating Model Development | 13/01/2025 | 0104/2025 | $134,847 | $134,847 | Nil | ||||||
End of table
In 2024–25, there were no consultancies engaged during the year, where the total fees payable to the individual consultancies was less than $10,000. The total expenditure incurred during 2024–25 in relation to these consultancies was $0 (excluding GST).
For the 2024–25 reporting period, the Commission had a total Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expenditure of $4,062,172, with the details shown below.
| All operational ICT expenditure | ICT expenditure related to projects that create or enhance ICT capabilities |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business as Usual (BAU) ICT expenditure (Total) | Non-Business as Usual (non BAU) (Total = operational expenditure and capital expenditure | Operational expenditure | Capital expenditure | |||||
| Appropriation account | $1,135,542 | $1,125,298 | – | $1,125,298 | ||||
| Trust account | $1,801,332 | – | – | – | ||||
End of table
During the 2024–25 financial year, the Commission did not enter any contract for greater than $10 million.
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) allows the public a right of access to documents held by the Commission. The purpose of the Act is to extend as far as possible the right of the community to access information held by government departments, local councils, ministers and other bodies subject to the Act.
An applicant has a right to apply for access to documents held by the Commission. This comprises documents both created by the Commission or supplied to the Commission by an external organisation or individual, and may also include maps, films, microfiche, photographs, computer printouts, computer discs, tape recordings and videotapes. Information about the type of material produced by the Commission is available on the Commission’s website.
The Act allows the Commission to refuse access, either fully or partially, to certain documents or information. Examples of documents that may not be accessed include cabinet documents; some internal working documents; law enforcement documents; documents covered by legal professional privilege, such as legal advice; personal information about other people; and information provided to the Commission in-confidence and information that is confidential under another Act.
Under the Act, the FOI processing time for requests received is 30 calendar days. However, when external consultation is required under ss29, 29A, 31, 31A, 33, 34 or 35, a 15-day automatic extension applies. Processing time may also be extended by periods of up to 30 days, in consultation with the applicant. With the applicant’s agreement this may occur any number of times. However, obtaining an applicant’s agreement for an extension cannot occur after the expiry of the timeframe for deciding a request.
If an applicant is not satisfied by a decision made by the Commission, under section 49A of the Act, they have the right to seek a review by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) within 28 days of receiving a decision letter.
FOI requests can be lodged online at ovic.vic.gov.au. An application fee of $32.70 applies. Access charges may also be payable if the document pool is large and the search for material is time consuming.
Access to documents can also be obtained through a written request to the Victorian Public Sector Commission as detailed in s17 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982. When making an FOI request, applicants should ensure requests are in writing and clearly identify what types of material and documents are being sought.
Requests for documents in the possession of the Commission should be addressed to:
Freedom of Information
Victorian Public Sector Commission
2 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
During 2024–25, the Commission received four FOI requests. All requests were submitted by members of the public; none were received from Members of Parliament or the media.
The Commission finalised four FOI decisions in the 12 months ending 30 June 2025. All decisions were made within the statutory time period as prescribed under section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982. No decisions exceeded the required or extended statutory timeframe.
Of the decisions made:
One decision involved an agreed extension under the Act. The average decision timeframe was within the required period, with no delays recorded.
One FOI decision was the subject of a complaint to OVIC; no matters proceeded to internal review or to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Further information regarding the operation and scope of FOI can be obtained from the Act, regulations made under the Act and ovic.vic.gov.au.
The Commission does not own or control any government buildings and consequently is exempt from notifying its compliance with the building and maintenance provisions of the Building Act 1993 (for publicly owned buildings controlled by the Commission).
Competitive neutrality requires government businesses to ensure that where services compete, or potentially compete, with the private sector, any net advantage arising from government ownership is accounted for if it is not in the public interest. Government businesses that undertake significant business activities are required to implement competitive neutrality measures (such as setting competitive neutral prices), which accounts for any net advantage that comes from public ownership.
Competitive neutrality policy supports fair competition between public and private businesses and provides government businesses with a tool to enhance decisions on resource allocation.
This policy does not override other policy objectives of government and focuses on removing resource allocation distortions. As a portfolio agency, the Commission’s information on compliance is included in the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Annual Report.
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 encourages and assists people in making disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies. The Act provides protection to people who make disclosures in accordance with the Act and establishes a system for the matters to be disclosed, investigated and rectifying action to be taken.
The Commission does not tolerate improper conduct of employees, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct. It is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal corrupt conduct, conduct involving substantial mismanagement of public resources, or conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or the environment.
The Commission will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure to the extent it is legally possible.
Disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Commission or any of its employees may be made to any of the following personnel:
Alternatively, disclosures may also be made directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC):
Level 1, North Tower, 459 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 1300 735 135
ibac.vic.gov.au
The Public Interest Disclosures Policy and Procedures, which outline the procedure for reporting disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Commission or any of its employees and officers, are available on the Commission’s website.
The table below indicates the number of disclosures made by an individual to the Commission and notified to IBAC.
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessable disclosures |
0
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
End of table
The Commission has taken all practical measures to comply with its obligations under the Carers Recognition Act 2012. This includes considering the carer relationship principles set out in the Act when setting policies and providing services (for example, reviewing our employment policies such as flexible working arrangements and leave provisions to ensure these comply with the statement of principles in the Act).
The Disability Act 2006 reaffirms and strengthens the rights of people with a disability and recognises that this requires support across the government sector and within the community.
The Commission has complied with its obligations under the Disability Act 2006 to prepare a Disability Action Plan for the purpose of: reducing barriers to access goods, services and facilities, reducing barries to persons with a disability obtaining and maintaining employment, promoting inclusion and participation in community, and achieving tangible changes in attitudes and practices that discriminate against people with a disability.
The Commission continued to ensure its built environment is accessible to all employees and stakeholders. Working with the Australian Disability Network, the Commission conducted a dignified access review of the office premises and implemented several changes to improve the accessibility in the office. Changes included:
The Commission:
The Commission promoted inclusion and participation internally and in the community through:
The Commission:
Nil reports. The Commission did not activate any Emergency Procurements in 2024–25 in accordance with the requirements of government policy and accompanying guidelines.
Nil reports.
The Commission is committed to environmental sustainability in its operations. The Commission supports the Victorian public sector in adopting new technology that lowers emissions and increases environmental sustainability.
The environmental report has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Directions (FRD) issued by the Minister for Finance.
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total electricity usage (gigajoules) | 288 | 538 | 563 |
| Total green electricity (gigajoules) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total gas usage (gigajoules) | 32 | 183 | 244 |
| Percentage of electricity purchased as green power (%) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Units of energy used per full time employee (megajoules per FTE1) | 3,824 | 7,698 | 6,922 |
End of table
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total units of paper used (A4 reams equivalent) | 52 | 59 | 51 |
| Reams of paper used per FTE1 | 0.62 | 0.63 | 0.44 |
| Percentage of recycled content paper purchased (%) | 100 | 100 | 100 |
End of table
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total units of metered water consumed (kilolitres) | 223 | 413 | 286 |
| Units of metred water consumed per FTE (kilolitres/FTE1) | 2.66 | 4.4 | 2.45 |
| Units of measured water consumed in offices per unit of office area (kilolitres/m2) | 0.35 | 0.20 | 0.14 |
End of table
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total energy consumption by vehicles (MJ) | 0 | 7,608 | 6,772 |
| Total distance travelled by fleet vehicles (km) | 0 | 3,173 | 2,614 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet (t CO2 e) | 0 | 0.65 | 0.482 |
| Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet 1000km travelled (t CO2 e) | 0 | 0.205 | 0.184 |
| Total distance travelled by air (km) | 0 | 17,512 | 18,446 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from air travel (t CO2 e) | 0 | 2.706 | 2.91 |
End of table
| 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from energy use (t CO2 e) | 63.25 | 125.35 | 134.08 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet (t CO2 e) | 0 | 0.65 | 0.482 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from air travel (t CO2 e) | 0 | 2.706 | 2.91 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from waste (t CO2 e)2 | 0.2041 | N/A | N/A |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions from paper use (t CO2 e) | 0.26 | 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions (t CO2 e) | 63.71 | 129.05 | 137.77 |
End of table
A waste audit was not carried out during 2024–25.
Notes:
In August 2024 the organisation relocated to a smaller, modern office designed with improved energy efficiency. This contributed to substantial reductions in resource consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions in 2024–25, compared to previous years. These improvements reflect both the efficiency of the premises and changes in workplace practices that have reduced our environmental footprint.
In compliance with the requirements of the Standing Directions 2018 under the Financial Management Act 1994, details in respect to the terms listed below have now been retained by the Commission and are available on request, subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1982: