Article by Martin Dunn, Senior Advisor – Procurement Office & Professional Advisory
Procurement in Queensland is entering a period of heightened complexity, particularly for government agencies and large-scale organisations operating across infrastructure, construction and supply sectors. As major projects move from planning into delivery, procurement teams are contending with workforce shortages, rising costs, evolving policy requirements and growing digital risks.
Against this backdrop, several key pressures are emerging that have the potential to shape how procurement is planned, managed and delivered across Queensland in the year ahead. Understanding these pressures will be critical for organisations seeking to manage disruption, maintain compliance and deliver value for money.
Workforce and delivery capacity shortages
Labour shortages across engineering, trades, project managers and specialised roles are intensifying as major pipelines (e.g. infrastructure, Brisbane 2032 venues) move into delivery. This increases the risk of delays, quality issues, cost blow-outs and contract disputes.
Inefficient or delayed procurement processes
Queensland’s major project pipeline faces risks from slow procurement approvals and contract awarding. Inefficiencies here can delay project execution, extend timelines and increase costs across interconnected programs.
Cost pressures and supply chain instability
Rising construction and materials costs – already trending above inflation – threaten budget certainty and value for money.
Policy and regulatory change risks
Procurement policy shifts such as the rollout of the Queensland Procurement Policy 2026 and changes to supplier codes of conduct (including ethical and behavioural requirements) impose new compliance obligations for suppliers and government agencies alike. Non-alignment with these evolving frameworks can lead to disqualification, disputes or contract terminations.
Ethical, social and emerging compliance requirements
New evaluation criteria, including social risk factors (e.g. domestic & family violence procurement expectations) are being incorporated, which may not yet be well understood by suppliers and procurement teams, posing scoring and compliance risks in tendering.
Cybersecurity and digital transformation risks
As digital procurement systems expand, risks such as cyber threats, data integrity issues, and integration challenges with legacy platforms grow – impacting tendering platforms, contract management systems and supplier portals. Digital transformation without adequate security can lead to breaches and operational disruption.
Contract and supplier performance risks
Inadequate specification, poor risk allocation, and insufficient performance monitoring can lead to disputes, cost claims, and delivery failures. This includes common risks such as unclear scopes, late changes, and insufficient pricing contingencies.
Organisational change and skills gaps in procurement teams
Many procurement functions are adapting to new technology, governance requirements and risk frameworks. Skills gaps in risk management, contract negotiation, and data analytics elevate the likelihood of missteps or poor decisions.
These are all areas that our procurement team can assist you with. Whether you need a few hours of support each week, specific procurement projects delivered or a probity support, we’re here to help you achieve your organisational objectives. Reach out to Martin Dunn, Professional Advisory Manager mdunn@peakservices.com.au