Defence engages consultants where it lacks specialist expertise or when independent research and assessment is required. The process for selecting consultants is consistent with Defence procurement policies and the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

This annual report contains information about the number of contracts and total contract value of new consultancy contracts let in 2019-20 based on AusTender (Table C.1) and the actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies (Table C.2). Further information on the value of individual contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website, www.tenders.gov.au.

In 2019-20, Defence entered into 330 new consultancy contracts, based on information presented on AusTender, involving total contract value of $66.6 million and actual expenditure of $42.0 million (including GST) for 2019-20. In addition, 310 existing consultancy contracts were active during the 2019-20 reporting year, with total actual expenditure of $68.1 million (including GST).

Table C.1 shows a summary, sorted by Defence Program, of new consultancy contracts entered into during 2019-20 (including GST), based on information presented on AusTender.

Table C.2 records total expenditure in-year for consulting contracts rather than the full value of the contract.

Table C.2: Total expenditure on consulting contracts, 2017-18 to 2019-20

Note: Figures are GST inclusive.