FEES

TEQSA operates on a partial cost-recovery basis, consistent with Commonwealth Cost Recovery Guidelines. Section 158 of the TEQSA Act states that TEQSA may determine fees for things done in the performance of its functions. Fees collected by TEQSA under cost recovery arrangements are returned to the Australian Government’s Consolidated Revenue. TEQSA cannot determine fees without the Minister’s approval.

TEQSA developed its initial fee schedule based on parameters set by the Australian Government in 2011 and TEQSA’s status as a partial cost recovery agency. In the 2018-19 Budget it was announced that TEQSA will progressively transition from partial cost recovery to a full cost recovery model over a four-year period. Refer to Section 3: Performance review Action 2.1 for further details.

Fees payable as at 30 June 2019 are available at www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2013L02162.

PERFORMANCE AGAINST CORE PURCHASING POLICIES

TEQSA adhered to the core policies and principles of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules throughout the reporting period. An appropriate approach to market was made for all procurements covered by the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

COMPETITIVE TENDERING AND CONTRACTING

TEQSA’s Accountable Authority Instructions and Procurement Manual require compliance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

All contracts worth more than $10 000 entered into by TEQSA in 2018-19 were lodged on AusTender.

PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS

TEQSA supports small business participation in the Commonwealth Government procurement market. Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Small Enterprise participation statistics are available on the Department of Finance’s website.

TEQSA’s procurement practices support small and medium enterprises by using:

• the Commonwealth Contracting Suite for low-risk procurements valued under $200 000
• the Small Business Engagement Principles to effectively engage and communicate with small businesses
• electronic systems to ensure invoices are paid on time and within the 30-day payment terms.

EXEMPT CONTRACTS

No contracts in excess of $10 000 (inclusive of GST) or standing offers were exempted by the CEO from being published on AusTender on the basis that publication would disclose exempt matters under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE ACCESS CLAUSES

No contracts were let during the year for $100 000 or more with provisions to exempt Australian National Audit Office access to contractors’ premises.

CONSULTANCIES

The agency engages consultants where it requires specialist expertise or when independent research, review or assessment is required.

Consultants are typically engaged to investigate or diagnose a defined issue or problem; carry out defined reviews or evaluations; or provide independent advice, information or creative solutions to assist in the agency’s decision making.

The selection and engagement of consultants was conducted in accordance with the PGPA Act, Commonwealth Procurement rules and internal policies and procedures. Table 14 states the number of new and ongoing contracts during 2018-19 and the expenditure on them.

Table 14: Number and expenditure on consultants, 2018-19

Annual Reports contain information about actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website at www.tenders.gov.au.

GRANTS

TEQSA does not administer a discretionary grants program.