Comply with Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs)
All federal procurement governed by CPRs — value-for-money + procurement-connected policies.
Who must comply
Officials of non-corporate Commonwealth entities, and of the prescribed corporate Commonwealth entities listed in section 30 of the PGPA Rule 2014, when performing duties related to procurement. Businesses tendering for Commonwealth work meet the CPRs through the entity's approach to market and contract terms.
What triggers it
A relevant entity procuring goods or services. Division 2 is additionally triggered when the expected value of a procurement is at or above the relevant procurement threshold, unless an Appendix A exemption applies.
When due
Contracts at or above the reporting threshold must be reported on AusTender within 42 days of entering into them ($10,000 for non-corporate Commonwealth entities; for prescribed corporate entities $400,000, or $7.5 million for construction services). Amendments and standing offers are also reported within 42 days. Open tenders must allow at least 25 days for submissions (10 days in limited circumstances).
Evidence required
Current procurement plan on AusTender; approach-to-market and request documentation; evaluation and value-for-money records; a written report for each contract awarded by limited tender at or above the threshold; AusTender contract, amendment and standing offer notices; written notices and debriefings to tenderers.
Max penalty
The CPRs carry no monetary penalty. Non-corporate Commonwealth entities must report non-compliance through the Commonwealth's compliance reporting process (CPRs para 2.3), and officials remain subject to their PGPA Act duties for the proper use and management of public resources
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
The Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) are issued by the Finance Minister under section 105B(1) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and govern how Commonwealth entities buy goods and services. Their core test is value for money, and they require procurement to be ethical, efficient, effective and economical, transparent and accountable. The rules have two divisions: Division 1 applies to every procurement, and Division 2 adds rules (open tender by default, minimum time limits, written reports for limited tenders) for procurements at or above the relevant procurement threshold. The current version took effect on 17 November 2025 and prioritises Australian businesses and small and medium enterprises for some procurements. Suppliers are not bound directly, but a supplier's tender, contract terms and records must meet what the procuring entity is required to ask for.
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Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs)?
- Officials of non-corporate Commonwealth entities, and of the prescribed corporate Commonwealth entities listed in section 30 of the PGPA Rule 2014, when performing duties related to procurement. Businesses tendering for Commonwealth work meet the CPRs through the entity's approach to market and contract terms.
- What triggers Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs)?
- A relevant entity procuring goods or services. Division 2 is additionally triggered when the expected value of a procurement is at or above the relevant procurement threshold, unless an Appendix A exemption applies.
- When is Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs) due?
- Contracts at or above the reporting threshold must be reported on AusTender within 42 days of entering into them ($10,000 for non-corporate Commonwealth entities; for prescribed corporate entities $400,000, or $7.5 million for construction services). Amendments and standing offers are also reported within 42 days. Open tenders must allow at least 25 days for submissions (10 days in limited circumstances).
- What is the maximum penalty for Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs)?
- The CPRs carry no monetary penalty. Non-corporate Commonwealth entities must report non-compliance through the Commonwealth's compliance reporting process (CPRs para 2.3), and officials remain subject to their PGPA Act duties for the proper use and management of public resources
- What evidence is required for Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs)?
- Current procurement plan on AusTender; approach-to-market and request documentation; evaluation and value-for-money records; a written report for each contract awarded by limited tender at or above the threshold; AusTender contract, amendment and standing offer notices; written notices and debriefings to tenderers.
Source: https://www.finance.gov.au/government/procurement/commonwealth-procurement-rules. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.