Using the State of Victoria as a case study, this paper demonstrates that linking employment policy objectives to public procurement has considerable potential, provided certain conditions are met.

This paper draws on a review of Australian and international literature on disability employment and social procurement. Government publications examining public procurement as a policy response to unemployment, as well as reports produced by social procurement intermediary organisations both in Australia and internationally, were also reviewed.

This document provides an overview of how public and private sector organisations can strategically utilise their purchasing power, through a process known as social procurement, to achieve economic, environmental and social objectives.