Information to help agencies shift to the 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules. Bookmark this page - we’ll update it regularly with new information.
The new Rules are effective from 1 December 2025.
Agencies are expected to dedicate the resources needed to apply the new Rules from then.
This timeframe may mean that agencies will need to prioritise the order in which they implement changes. You may wish to discuss how your agency will embed the new Rules and put them into practice with your leadership colleagues, finance and procurement teams.
We’re here to support you. For more information on transitioning to the new Rules, look at the webinars and guidance below. You can also reach out to your account manager or send us an email.
We’re offering webinars to help agencies understand and apply the new Rules. These sessions will cover key updates, practical guidance, and opportunities to ask questions. Attending the webinars and using these resources will support a smooth transition.
The first webinar will be a high-level overview of the new rules, the process undertaken, and new requirements.
Subsequent webinars will focus on the new economic benefit rule and contract management. We’ll send details of these directly to agencies.
To reflect the new Rules, we’ve updated the following templates:
We'll publish more updates to guidance and templates to help agencies shift to the new Rules. We’ll let you know when new information is available.
The 5th edition of the Rules is more streamlined, user-friendly and accessible. This should make it easier to understand and apply good practice. The Rules can be right-sized to all procurements.
This comparison table maps the 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules against the 4th.
This document steps through the changes between the 4th and 5th edition and outlines the rationale for the changes.
Provides a flexible framework that enables agencies to:
Highlights the importance of commercial and procurement functions within agencies that:
Highlights how procurement meets Government expectations by:
The new Rules come into force from 1 December 2025. The 4th edition of the Rules will apply until that date.
Agencies should plan ahead and start to adjust their practices and policies, as soon as practicable.
The introduction of the 5th edition has no impact on existing contracts, and they will continue to apply. This includes the supply and service agreements for All-of-Government (AoG) panels and contracts.
A PDF version of the previous edition of the Government Procurement Rules is available for your reference.
If you need advice on the use of the previous edition, use the online form to email us. We'll reply within 5 working days — or sooner if we can.
Public Service Agencies, listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act, must continue to ensure suppliers and their sub-contractors comply with the Living Wage policy.
We’ve updated the 5 year projection of increases to the living wage to help agencies and providers with their budget planning.