The Framework is the only one of its kind in Australia and leverages government’s buying power to ensure organisations tendering for government work include positive social, economic and environmental outcomes, such as jobs for disadvantaged jobseekers.

Since April last year, the Framework has seen at least $32 million invested in more than 250 social enterprises.

They range from catering to cleaning contracts to major infrastructure projects, such as the level crossings removal project and North East Link.

Speaking at an event hosted by JobsBank and RMIT today, Assistant Treasurer Robin Scott and Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula launched the first Social Procurement Framework Annual Report.

The report shows that in the first six months of this year, $4.6 million was invested in 51 organisations that support people with disability.

Over the past financial year, $16.7 million was invested in Victorian Aboriginal businesses and organisations.

The Framework applies to all Victorian Government departments and core agencies, including infrastructure programs delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project, Major Road Projects Victoria, North East Link Project, Rail Projects Victoria and the West Gate Tunnel Project.

In the past financial year, the report shows these major rail and road projects spent more than $67 million with Victorian Aboriginal businesses and organisations.

A further $8.4 million was also spent by these projects with social enterprises over the same period.

The Framework is supported by the Labor Government’s Local Jobs First policy, which improves opportunities for Victorian businesses when bidding for government work.