Queensland Procurement Policy 2026
The Queensland Procurement Policy 2026 (QPP 2026) is now in effect and applies to all Queensland Government procurement, including architectural and design consultancy services. This explainer outlines what matters most for architectural practices, how to use the policy to your advantage, and where the ACA is advocating on your behalf.
The Queensland Procurement Policy 2026 (QPP 2026) commenced on 1 January 2026. It is the government’s new overarching policy for the procurement of goods and services.
WHY QPP 2026 MATTERS TO ARCHITECTS
Architectural services are not commodities. They rely on professional judgement, experience, and early strategic input – yet historically they have often been procured using systems designed for goods and construction trades.
QPP 2026 signals a shift towards fairer, more outcome-focused procurement. While the policy does not automatically eliminate poor practices, it provides architects with clear levers to challenge them.
KEY PROVISIONS
1. SMEs are explicitly prioritised
QPP 2026 sets a whole-of-government target of 30% of procurement spend with small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). This is an important development as most architectural practices in Queensland are SMEs. As such, agencies must now demonstrate how procurement approaches support SME participation. SMEs can legitimately question procurement processes that systematically favour large, multinational consultancies.
The ACA’s position is that this is a powerful policy foundation for advocating fair access for small and regional practices.
ACA members can access the full explainer below (log in to access).
NOTE: Member Only Content