Detailed guidance for sustainable Victorian regions

Find model approaches and further information in relation to opportunities for sustainable Victorian regions.

Introduction

Sustainable Victorian regions is one of seven social procurement objectives included in the Social Procurement Framework.

Corresponding social outcomes

The Social Procurement Framework identifies one social outcome corresponding to the following social procurement objective: Job readiness and employment for people in regions with entrenched disadvantage.

There is no recommended action in Individual procurement activity requirements for government buyers (Table 3 of the Social Procurement Framework) in respect of this objective.

Job readiness and employment for people in regions with entrenched disadvantage

Benefits for Victorians

Victoria is the fastest growing state in the nation, moving rapidly towards a knowledge economy. Within this dynamic environment, it is important to support jobseekers at risk of being left behind.

Employment has a wealth of positive outcomes for individuals, from building confidence and self-esteem, to enabling more independent and stable lifestyles and providing significant opportunities for social interactions and community engagement.

Model approach for government buyers

There are two model approaches to delivering this outcome, each of which involves the following preliminary component:

Prior to market approach, government buyers should:

  • identify any locations where the individual procurement activity will occur
  • determine whether those (and neighbouring) locations have a low score on the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, or are otherwise determined to be experiencing entrenched disadvantage based on data available to the department or agency undertaking the procurement activity
  • where a location has a low score on the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, or is otherwise determined to be experiencing entrenched disadvantage, consider opportunities to purchase from local suppliers in that location or provide training or employment opportunities to residents in that location.

Each model approach then has a unique second component, set out below:

  • Purchase from suppliers based in the area(s) experiencing entrenched disadvantage.

AND/OR

  • Require suppliers to commit to targets for employment and/or training outcomes to be provided to people who are residents in the area(s) experiencing entrenched disadvantage. The focus of this objective is on geographical location. As such, the ‘people who are residents in the area(s) experiencing entrenched disadvantage’ do not also need to meet the definition of ‘Victorian priority jobseekers’, although government buyers / suppliers may wish to focus on Victorian priority jobseekers in such areas (this would promote multiple Social procurement Framework objectives).
  • Require suppliers to explain how they will identify these residents and support them to achieve and maintain employment and training outcomes.

The model approach to delivering this outcome involves two components, requiring suppliers to:

  • commit to targets for employment and/or training outcomes for Sustainable Victorian Regions (note: the government buyer may select one or more cohorts or include all cohorts)
  • explain how they will identify Sustainable Victorian Regions and support them to achieve and maintain employment and training outcomes.

Response schedules

The response schedules related to opportunities for Sustainable Victorian Regions are available in the Social procurement toolkit.

Further information for government buyers

In considering employment opportunities, it is also recommended that a focus be on responding to demonstrated employer/industry workforce needs and providing pathways to employment that are likely to be sustained over time.

The information below outlines how government buyers can identify regions with entrenched disadvantage and refers to various government funded services and programs to help suppliers create training and employment opportunities for people in such regions (including, but not limited to, people that meet the definition of ‘Victorian priority jobseekers’ in the Social Procurement Framework).

Identifying regions with entrenched disadvantage

Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas is an Australian bureau of Statistics product that ranks areas in Australia according to relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage. The indexes are based on information from the five-yearly Census of Population and Housing.

Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas 2016 has been created from Census 2016 data and consists of four indexes:

  • Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage.
  • Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage.
  • Index of Education and Occupation.
  • Index of Economic Resources.

Each index is a summary of a different subset of Census variables and focuses on a different aspect of socio-economic advantage and disadvantage. Regions with entrenched disadvantage may be identified using the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, categorised by postcode (referred to as ‘Postal Area Code’). The postcodes with the lowest ranking, Decile 1, in Victoria are the most disadvantaged regions.

Victorian Government departments and agencies also collects a range of data relevant to their respective roles within the Victorian community. This data may help government buyers identify regions with entrenched disadvantage.

Employment access and support services

See further information provided in relation to Employment of Victorian Aboriginal people about jobactive and Jobs Victoria.

Tools and support

This content on this page is taken from the Social Procurement Framework – Buyer Guidance Guide to individual procurement activity requirements. Access a PDF version in the social procurement document library.

For more information about social procurement, please contact the Social Procurement team.

Updated