In recent years, the New South Wales (NSW) Government has intensified efforts to promote supplier diversity and empower underrepresented business owners—including women entrepreneurs. Government procurement, once dominated by large corporations, is now opening its doors to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including woman-owned businesses. This shift presents a powerful opportunity for women in trade, manufacturing, services, consulting, and creative sectors to grow their businesses by supplying goods and services to government agencies.
This guide will walk you through how woman-owned businesses in NSW can navigate the procurement system, become government suppliers, and leverage the resources offered by Service NSW to win tenders and contracts.
Why Government Contracts Matter for Women Entrepreneurs
Securing a government contract can be a game-changer for any business. These contracts often bring:
- Stable, long-term income
- Credibility and industry validation
- Opportunities for scaling operations and hiring
- Repeat business and new market entry
For woman-owned businesses, it’s also a chance to lead by example, challenge market norms, and inspire other women to enter the business world.
Step 1: Register as a Supplier with the NSW Government
To sell goods or services to the NSW Government, your business must be registered on the official supplier platform.
Register on the Supplier Hub
The NSW Government Supplier Hub is your entry point. It’s a central portal where you can create a supplier profile and express interest in upcoming tenders.
During registration, you’ll need:
- Your ABN (Australian Business Number)
- Business contact details
- A list of services or goods you offer
- Certifications or relevant licenses
Highlight Your Status as a Woman-Owned Business
Be sure to indicate your business is women-owned, especially if your industry falls under targeted diversity procurement programs. This status may improve visibility in certain categories or qualify you for dedicated supplier development initiatives.
Step 2: Understand Government Procurement Categories
NSW Government agencies purchase everything from uniforms and cleaning services to IT solutions, legal advice, catering, engineering, and construction. These purchases are grouped into procurement categories and panels, which streamline vendor selection.
Explore Procurement Lists
Check if your business can apply for prequalification under relevant schemes such as:
- ICT Services Scheme
- Performance and Management Services Scheme
- Construction Supplier Registers
- General Goods and Services panels
Visit buy.nsw.gov.au for full information on open and upcoming procurement opportunities.
Step 3: Learn How to Tender Effectively
Winning a government tender requires more than a good price. Agencies evaluate suppliers based on capability, experience, compliance, and social value. Service NSW offers resources to help you prepare.
Attend Tendering Workshops
Service NSW and Business Connect regularly host free tender-readiness workshops to help SMEs understand the end-to-end procurement process, including:
- How to interpret tender documents
- What selection criteria mean
- How to price your offering competitively
- What supporting documents are needed
These sessions often feature success stories from woman-owned businesses who’ve secured government work.
Get One-on-One Help from a Business Concierge
Not sure where to start? Book a free consultation with a Service NSW Business Concierge who can help you create a strategy, review your registration, and connect you with expert tender writing mentors.
Step 4: Access Special Support for Women Entrepreneurs
NSW offers additional support programs to uplift and empower women in business:
- Women in Business Program (TAFE NSW) – includes modules on tendering and scaling
- Grants Finder Tool – helps locate grants that support supplier development
- Business Connect Advisory – women-focused advisors offering targeted support
These resources not only help you compete for contracts but also build the capacity to deliver and scale once you win.
Success Story: Olivia’s Construction Consultancy in Western Sydney
Olivia, a structural engineer and founder of a consultancy in Western Sydney, faced multiple barriers trying to enter government contracts. After registering on the Supplier Hub, she booked a Business Concierge session and joined a tender-readiness workshop. Within 10 months, Olivia secured a contract to provide infrastructure assessments for regional schools. Her firm has since expanded and hired five additional women engineers.
“The advice and support I got from Service NSW gave me the tools and confidence to compete on equal ground,” she shares.
Conclusion: Break Into Government Markets with Confidence
Government contracts offer a unique opportunity to grow a sustainable, impact-driven business. As a woman entrepreneur, you bring not only capability but also much-needed diversity to public procurement.
By leveraging Service NSW’s wide range of tools—from registration support and tender training to grants and networking—you can confidently position your business for success in the public sector.
Ready to start bidding for government work? Register today at suppliers.buy.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88 to connect with a Business Concierge.
📬 Want to Share Your Success or Contribute an Article?
If you’re a woman-owned business with a government contract success story, or you’d like to write about business growth and procurement tips, email us to be featured on our blog:
Email: [email protected]
