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Major contractors are finding new ways to scale local supplier engagement—designing smarter packages and creating lasting value.
Across Australia and New Zealand, local participation is becoming central to how major projects are judged — not just by regulators, but by clients, investors, and communities. Governments are setting clearer expectations, industries are broadening their sourcing networks, and suppliers are investing to meet higher standards of safety, quality, and ESG performance.
For major contractors, this creates a strong opportunity: to convert policy into delivery by developing supplier ecosystems that are capable, compliant, and connected to local economies. When that happens, project outcomes improve, delivery risks reduce, and community value grows in parallel.
The challenge: the mechanics of scale. Large delivery programs move fast, span multiple jurisdictions, and rely on consistent systems to maintain assurance. Within that environment, five realities shape how local engagement takes place:
These are delivery challenges, not barriers. With the right systems and partnerships, they become opportunities to strengthen both performance and local impact.
Across industries, the most effective delivery teams are reframing local supplier engagement as part of core program execution. A few practices stand out:
Early market soundings and regional capability scans help define packages that match supplier capacity. Sharing information early gives businesses time to prepare, align certifications, and plan resources.
A single supplier evidence pack aligned to national prequalification and client frameworks reduces duplication and builds confidence in data accuracy.
Prompt, transparent payment practices strengthen supplier reliability and reputation across the program.
When suppliers are brought into design and mobilisation planning, the result is smoother ramp-up, clearer communication, and faster readiness.
Tracking local, Indigenous, and SME participation alongside cost, quality, and schedule embeds accountability and ensures outcomes are visible to all stakeholders.
Strong local supplier engagement shows up in project delivery. It looks like:
These elements are increasingly becoming part of how clients and governments define value in delivery partnerships.
Scaling local supplier engagement is about building the ecosystems that make long-term delivery stronger. As programs expand across infrastructure, transport, energy, and construction, the ability to integrate local suppliers effectively will define both performance and legacy.
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