Social Procurement: What Is It and Why Should You Care?

Sep 9, 2025

As clients demand greater social impact from infrastructure and construction projects, social procurement has become more than a buzzword, it’s a contract requirement. So what does good social procurement actually look like?

Key Points

  • Indigenous and Local Participation Targets: Many government projects now require participation management plans and commitments.
  • Supplier Diversity: Working with social enterprises, Indigenous-owned businesses and local SMEs drives legacy benefits both economically and socioeconomically long after the project is complete.
  • Benefit Delivery Plans: Go beyond false promises – show how your delivery model generates real, measurable benefits.
  • Reporting and Tracking: Build in KPIs and tracking systems from the start. It’s not enough to say you’re compliant — you need proof.
  • Early Engagement: Social outcomes are best embedded in early project planning, not just tacked on at the end.