Context
Victoria is party to the Australia - United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) that has mutual obligations on each party in relation to government procurement.
These mutual obligations require each party to adhere to the principle of national treatment and non-discrimination.
A procurement entity of a party may not:
(a) treat a locally established supplier less favourably than other locally established suppliers on the basis of degree of foreign affiliation or ownership, or
(b) discriminate against a locally established supplier on the basis that the goods or services offered by that supplier for a particular procurement are goods or services of the other party
In relation to Victorian Government procurement, the AUSFTA applies to entities covered by VGPB policy for the purchase of goods and services when valued in excess of A$675,000.
VGPB policies are in accord with the requirements of the AUSFTA - Government Procurement.
(The AUSFTA also applies to the procurement of construction services valued in excess of A$9,514, 000 covered by the Project Development and Construction Management Act)
Key Requirements
1. Adherence to the AUSFTA - Government Procurement
Compliance to VGPB policies in relation to the purchase of goods and services will ensure adherence to the requirements of the AUSFTA.
Other Requirements
1. Variation to VGPB Policy
Any proposed procurement action not covered by VGPB policy involving the purchase of goods and services in excess of A$679,000 must be undertaken with reference to the full text of the AUSFTA (Government Procurement Chapter - Chapter 15) that can be accessed on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website.
Related VGPB Policy and DTF Guidelines
Nil
Related DTF Templates and Forms
Nil
Links to relevant Policy websites
AUSFTA http://www.dfat.gov.au
Version Control Information
 Version Number | 1.1 |
Release Date | January 2010 |
Further Information | Strategy and Policy, Government Services Division, Department of Treasury and Finance |
Phone | (+613) 868 32944 |
| vgpb@dtf.vic.gov.au |
