To support consistent and high-quality procurement and contract management practices across the APS, the Department of Finance, with the APS Academy, offer the Commonwealth Procurement and Contract Management Training Suite.
The suite is based on the Commonwealth procurement framework and designed to build procurement and contract management skills and confidence across the APS workforce. It supports better decision-making and helps officials to achieve value for money outcomes.
The courses can be taken on their own or as part of a full program. They provide best practice guidance across the entire procurement lifecycle, from procurement planning to contract closeout. Courses are free for non-corporate Commonwealth entities and prescribed corporate Commonwealth entities only.
The suite is designed for officials who work in procurement, whether in IT, construction, or other areas. It is suitable for those who are new to procurement, seeking a refresher, or moving into a procurement role. It supports staff who manage procurement and contracts, whether occasionally or regularly, and includes those responsible for whole-of-government arrangements and limited tender procurements.
Suite proficiency levels
The suite includes both foundation and practitioner courses. It gives a solid basis for those new to procurement, while also supporting those who need deeper expertise.
Foundation level
Foundation level courses help APS officials understand the basics of procurement and contract management. These courses teach key concepts, knowledge, and skills that are important for all staff, whether they do procurements often or only occasionally.
This training gives a clear starting point, to help participants make informed decisions and follow good practices when buying goods and services or managing contracts.
Practitioner level
Practitioner level courses build on the basics taught in foundation level training. These courses offer more detailed knowledge and skills to manage procurement and contracts.
They are designed to support staff to apply best practice and make informed, defensible decisions throughout these activities.
Training suite overview
The overview provides a snapshot of the training suite, showing the range of foundation and practitioner level courses, delivery options, and where to go for more information and registration.
The overview can be used to:
- Promote the suite: Share the overview at information sessions, outreach activities, or meetings to introduce the training.
- Engage stakeholders: Provide the handout to learning and development teams, procurement teams, or senior leaders as a simple overview of Finance‑led procurement training.
- Quickly register: The QR code allows officials to scan and go directly to the APS Academy website to explore courses and register.
Officials are encouraged to use it as a simple, consistent way to promote procurement and contract management capability.
Training suite pathway
The Commonwealth Procurement and Contract Management Training Suite Pathway is a practical guide to help APS officials navigate the suite.
It shows how the suite fits together, what to do first and what to learn next, based on experience. The pathway recognises that learning also comes from experience and you can move through the pathway based on what you already know and do, or what knowledge you need to refresh.
The pathway is a guide, not a mandate. You can follow it in full or use it to identify individual courses that meet your needs.
How the pathway helps
The pathway helps to:
- build basic knowledge before moving into more complex topics
- understand which courses are most relevant
- plan learning over time, rather than choosing courses in isolation
- take ownership of professional development.
For managers, the pathway also makes it easier to support staff learning by providing a clear framework for capability development.
How to use the pathway
Officials can use the pathway in a few simple steps.
- Identify your starting point: Consider your current role, responsibilities, and level of experience. The pathway clearly shows where most people should begin.
- Check recommended courses: Review the courses listed for your level. These have been grouped to build capability in a logical and progressive way.
- Plan over time: You do not need to complete everything at once. Use the pathway to plan learning over time or as your role changes.
- Revisit as your role changes: As you take on new responsibilities or move into more complex work, the pathway helps you identify what to learn next.
Procurement Capability Week
Procurement Capability Week is a five-day, professional development program designed to build practical procurement and contract management capability across the APS.
Delivered by Finance, the program brings together the training suite into one intensive, connected learning experience. Participants progress through ten facilitated courses, delivered virtually, as a single cohort, building knowledge across the procurement lifecycle and applying concepts as they go.
Procurement Capability Week will be offered regularly. Check APSLearn for the next program date and option to express your interest in attending.
Delivery
Training is delivered through facilitator-led sessions, available both onsite or online (via Microsoft Teams), or as eLearning modules:
- login to APSLearn
- search for Procurement
- select the Commonwealth Procurement and Contract Management Training Suite
- select the course you want to complete.
If you don't already have an account, go to APSLearn Login. Select the Register to APSLearn button and simply fill out the form and select Register.
Singe-entity training
Finance also provides single-entity training, where our team can deliver facilitated courses to a cohort of officials from your entity, either onsite at your office or online. Benefits of single-entity training include:
- Flexibility: Available for all facilitated courses in the suite, this allows you to select the relevant courses for your entity.
- Cohesive learning experience: Fosters a more cohesive learning experience, allowing participants to discuss entity-specific issues and collaborate.
- Convenience: Training can be delivered online or onsite at your location, making it convenient for your staff to attend.
- Cost-effective: Training is provided at no cost to non-corporate Commonwealth entities and prescribed corporate Commonwealth entities, making it a cost-effective way to enhance your team's skills and knowledge.
Minimum numbers are required. For onsite training, a minimum of 10 participants is required, and for online training, a minimum of 20 participants is needed. This ensures the sessions are engaging and interactive.
Interstate onsite delivery is offered. Finance can provide single-entity training at your office outside Canberra, if minimum participant numbers are met.
If you are interested in arranging single-entity training, please email Finance at procurement.training@finance.gov.au with the course name(s), approximate participant numbers, and your preference for onsite or online delivery.
APS partner content
The APS Academy’s partner content feature enables entities to put suite courses on their internal ‘Acorn’ Learning Management System (LMS) and track attendance.
To access this feature, contact your internal Learning and Development or Human Resources team to confirm if your entity is already participating in the APS Partner Content feature. If your entity is already doing this, the Learning and Development or Human Resources team will liaise with the APS Academy to add courses to your LMS.
If your entity is not already participating, please contact the APS Academy to request access - Contact us.
More information or advice
For more information on the training suite, email Finance’s Procurement Training team.
