Dept. of Education > Administrative and Management services > Finance, Facilities and Business Strategy Branch > Procurement > Engaging Consultants

Process For Engaging Consultants (Goods and Services)

$2,000 or Less (GST exclusive)

In accordance with the Department's delegations framework,  Principals and Directors have a delegation to engage a consultant to the value of $2,000 (GST exclusive).  

The engagement of consultants with a value greater than $2,000 (GST exclusive) is required to be approved at Deputy Secretary level.  

It is important to note that the requirement for approval of consultancy costs forms part of the Government’s procurement policy and protocols.  

The meaning of the term “consultant” needs to be clearly understood.  The following definition of a consultant is outlined in section 2.5 of the Handbook for Government Procurement (March 2002):   

• A consultant is defined as “a person or organisation, external to the agency, engaged under a contract on a temporary basis to provide recommendations or high level specialist or professional advice to assist decision making by agency management.  The consultant will be expected to exercise his or her own skills and judgement independently of the agency.  It is the advisory nature of the work that distinguishes a consultant from a contractor”.

• The “advisory nature of the work” is what differentiates a consultant from a contractor.  For example if a school or budget centre contracts an IT provider to make recommendations (provide advice), to management to assist in decision making as to the best means of upgrading it’s network then that provider is seen as a consultant.  However, if the same IT provider carried out the upgrade they would be seen as a contractor for this purpose.

Greater than $2,000 (GST exclusive)

If  the cost of the services of a consultant are greater than $2,000 (GST exclusive), Deputy Secretary approval is required prior to the engagement of the consultant.  This approval can be obtained by email to your relevant Deputy Secretary.  Your email should include:  

• A brief outline of the project;

• The reason a consultant is required; and

• The estimated cost.

If you require clarification of the definition of consultants please contact Barry Teague, Coordinator (Procurement Services) on (03) 6233 7227 or email barry.teague@education.tas.gov.au