Aboriginal Participation in Construction: replaced by the APP in 2021
The APIC policy no longer applies to new NSW Government work. It merged into the Aboriginal Procurement Policy on 1 January 2021, so new contracts follow that policy, and APIC only matters for contracts that began before then.
What is the Aboriginal Participation in Construction Policy?
The Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) policy required at least 1.5% of project spend on NSW Government construction projects over $1 million to go to Aboriginal participation. It is no longer current. On 1 January 2021 it merged with the earlier procurement policy into the NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy, which now sets the rules for new contracts.
New Contracts: Not APIC
Requirements for procurement from 1 January 2021 sit in the NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy, which covers construction as well as goods and services. Do not price a new tender against APIC.
Earlier Contracts
Contracts from before 1 January 2021 stayed under the policy they started with, which for construction is the 2018 APIC policy. Check your contract, as it decides what you owe.
Who APIC Covered
It applied to NSW Government departments, statutory authorities, trusts and other government entities, with state-owned corporations encouraged to adopt parts of it. It became mandatory on 1 July 2018 for its three project categories.
What the Aboriginal Participation in Construction Policy asked for.
What you report, and when.
Aboriginal Participation Plan
To the contracting agency, for approval
Progress Report, Projects Over $10m
To APIC policy reporting portal
Progress Report, Projects Up To $10m
To APIC policy reporting portal
Final Aboriginal Participation Report
To APIC policy reporting portal
- Contract Clause Naming APIC
- Approved Aboriginal Participation Plan
- Aboriginal Employment Costs
- Aboriginal Owned Business Recognition Records
- Subcontract Values And Invoices
- Pre-Approval For Education And Engagement Spend
- Final Aboriginal Participation Report
Tendering To The Old Rules
Templates and tender returns copied from older projects can still say APIC and $1 million. New work runs under the 2021 policy, with a $7.5 million threshold and 1.5% measured against contract value through its three routes.
Counting A Cost Twice
APIC says the same expense cannot be claimed under two types of eligible spend, such as trainee costs in both employment and education. Training and engagement spend also needed the agency's approval, so keep those approvals with the costs.
Assuming The Old Policy Has Lapsed On Your Job
A replaced policy can still bind a contract that was signed under it. If your contract names APIC, read its clause on any unallocated balance, because APIC required that balance to go to the policy's approved bodies.
Keeping the record for the Aboriginal Participation in Construction Policy.
No APIC Template, By Design
GovAssureCatchment has no ready-made APIC framework because the policy is closed to new work. For a contract still under APIC, set it up as your own framework in the Policies & Frameworks library, which is versioned.
Use The APP Framework For New Work
SocialProFor anything procured under the current rules, adopt the built-in NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) framework instead. It creates its Employment, Training and Subcontracting targets along with the plan and report documents.
APIC's 1.5% As Project Targets
SocialProOn a legacy job, a project can hold your agreed spend share as a spend target and your workforce commitment as an hours target, with packages switching on those they report against. Invoices for Aboriginal owned businesses go into Certified Spend with ABN, certification and any file you attach.
APIC's Monthly Or Quarterly Rhythm
GovAssureA document requirement can be set monthly for projects over $10 million or quarterly below that, and it can flow to work packages. That gives you the record to report from, while lodging with the agency stays with you.
Catchment has no ready-made template for this one. You build it in the Policies & Frameworks library, then adopt it on each project.
Aboriginal Participation in Construction Policy questions.
Is the APIC policy still current?
No. The Aboriginal Procurement Policy that started on 1 January 2021 replaced both the 2018 Aboriginal Procurement Policy and the 2018 APIC policy. Buy.NSW keeps APIC as an archived document for earlier contracts.
What replaced the Aboriginal Participation in Construction policy?
The NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy, in its January 2021 version. It brings construction and goods and services under one policy. It followed a 2019 review that recommended combining the two.
What did APIC require?
At least 1.5% of project spend went to Aboriginal participation on nominated Aboriginal community projects and on other construction projects over $1 million. Spend could go to employment, Aboriginal owned businesses, education and training, or engagement. Suppliers lodged a plan and reported monthly over $10 million and quarterly below.
What is the difference between APIC and the Aboriginal Procurement Policy?
APIC covered construction only, started at $1 million and measured 1.5% against project spend, with four types of eligible spend. The 2021 policy covers goods, services and construction, starts at $7.5 million, and offers subcontracting, workforce or education and training routes. Its supplier reporting is quarterly.
Does my pre-2021 construction contract still follow APIC?
It may. Buy.NSW says earlier contracts remain under the policy that applied at the time, which for construction is the 2018 APIC. Your contract and the agency are the final word, so check the clause.
- Aboriginal Procurement Policy (NSW Treasury, buy.NSW)
- Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) Policy, June 2018 (NSW Government)
- NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy Implementation Assessment (NSW Ombudsman, June 2026)
- Aboriginal Procurement Policy, January 2021 (NSW Government)
- Aboriginal Procurement Policy & Aboriginal Participation in Construction 2019 Policy Review (NSW Treasury, December 2019)
Reviewed 4 November 2026. General information to help you plan reporting, not legal advice. Policies change, so check the current version with the policy owner before you rely on it.
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