Purpose
This procurement policy note sets out the Australian Government’s policy position that Commonwealth entities subject to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), must not procure promotional merchandise which is intended to promote the Australian Government, or its programs and initiatives except in limited circumstances.
Examples of promotional merchandise include stationery, drinkware, stress balls, tech accessories.
Scope and application
This policy does not apply to the following items as these are not considered to be promotional merchandise:
- goods purchased for resale for profit
- printed materials produced primarily to convey information (for example, pamphlets and brochures)
- government branded items that are not for promotional purposes, such as uniforms and materials required for identification and legal purposes (for instance, identification cards and evidence bags).
Where the procurement of promotional merchandise is critical to deliver the government’s policy objectives, an entity’s Accountable Authority must approve the procurement activity. This approval may be delegated only to an SES Band 3 official (or equivalent).
Commonwealth entities must have processes in place to give effect to this policy to restrict the procurement of promotional merchandise for approaches to market released on or after 1 July 2026.
Where promotional merchandise is required to deliver the government’s policy objectives, entities are reminded of their obligations to ensure the proper use and management of public resources, and to achieve value for money in undertaking procurements which includes consideration of the environmental sustainability as required in paragraph 4.5 of the CPRs.
Entities will be required to report details of all expenditure on promotional merchandise covered under this policy in their annual reports, beginning from the 2026-27 Annual Report.
Case studies
Example A
The Department of Defence hosts information stalls at a range of career expos. Officials propose that for the coming series of career expos the following materials are required to be procured:
- pamphlets on the range of career paths, and printed information on how to apply
- Defence careers hotline magnets
- banners and posters to attract people to the stall
- Defence branded stationery, hats and keep cups.
The procurement of information brochures, Defence banners and posters are not in scope for this policy and therefore do not require senior official approval as per the policy.
However, the accountable authority (or SES Band 3) is required to consider whether to approve the procurement of the magnets and Defence branded stationery, hats and keep cups and include information on this procurement in the annual report.
Example B
The Department of Health provides information brochures on national health screening programs to hospitals, GP clinics and through mail campaigns to citizen cohorts, for example the breast, lung and bowel cancer prevention programs. The latter includes a bowel screening kit.
These items are not considered promotional materials. The decision to procure these goods is not captured by this policy.
Example C
A Commonwealth entity is seeking to promote their diversity network and would like to procure lanyards and embroidered gym towels with the name of the diversity network.
These items are promotional merchandise and the accountable authority (or SES Band 3) will need to consider whether to approve these procurements.
