Strategic Support for Local Jobs First Compliance

As organisations compete for Victorian Government contracts, they must align their bids with key procurement policy obligations. One of the most critical is the requirement to submit a compliant Local Industry Development Plan (LIDP) under the Local Jobs First Policy.

An effective LIDP does more than ensure compliance—it demonstrates a supplier’s commitment to local industry participation, employment generation, and social procurement outcomes.

At Sedo Group, we support construction and ICT clients to prepare strong, strategic LIDPs that balance policy, commercial, and economic objectives.

What the Local Jobs First Policy Requires

The Local Jobs First Policy applies to Victorian Government projects that meet the following financial thresholds:

• Standard Projects: $1 million or more in regional Victoria and $3 million or more in metropolitan Melbourne

• Major Projects Skills Guarantee (MPSG): Construction projects valued at $20 million or more in metropolitan areas

• Strategic Projects: Projects valued at $50 million or more.

For applicable projects, the policy mandates minimum local content requirements—90% for construction works and 80% for operations and maintenance activities.

Beyond these requirements, the Victorian Government has identified key strategic sectors where local industry participation is strongly encouraged. These include furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E), local steel production, and rolling stock manufacturing. While these sectors do not have prescribed minimum targets, they are considered priorities, and the Industry Capability Network (ICN) closely monitors them to ensure local engagement is maximised wherever feasible.

What is a Local Industry Development Plan?

A Local Industry Development Plan (LIDP) is a mandatory requirement under Victoria’s Local Jobs First Policy and carries a compulsory 20% weighting in tender evaluations. Suppliers must clearly demonstrate how they will create local employment, prioritise Victorian suppliers, engage social and Indigenous enterprises, and implement measurable commitments that contribute to the state’s economic development. According to the Industry Capability Network (ICN), an LIDP typically takes one to six working days to prepare, depending on project complexity and the supplier’s familiarity with the policy.

How Sedo Group Supports High-Quality LIDPs

Sedo Group brings deep expertise in procurement policy, strategy and implementation. Our approach ensures each Local Industry Development Plan is policy-compliant, achievable, and aligned with our clients’ project delivery models.

1. Employment Planning & Skills Development
   We develop tailored workforce strategies, including local hiring models, apprentice integration, and alignment with the Major Projects Skills Guarantee.

2. Local Content & Supply Chain Strategy
   Our team helps clients prioritise local content by identifying regional suppliers, assessing procurement risks, and leveraging opportunities in sectors like FF&E and steel.

3. Social Procurement Integration
   We embed social procurement through targeted engagement with Aboriginal businesses and social enterprises, supported by measurable impact tracking.

4. Iterative Development and Alignment
   We facilitate workshops and ongoing reviews to align internal priorities and ensure LIDPs are realistic, deliverable, and policy-compliant.

5. Implementation and Governance
   We build actionable plans with clear responsibilities, defined KPIs, and reporting systems that meet ICN and government requirements.

Client Example: Mitchell Water Australia

In 2024, Sedo Group supported Mitchell Water Australia on a Victorian Government infrastructure tender, helping to:

• Develop employment and local content commitments

• Identify regional supplier options for key procurement items

• Establish a detailed implementation plan to support execution.

With Sedo’s guidance, Mitchell Water’s submission was successful, and they are now actively delivering on their Local Jobs First obligations, including local employment targets, supplier engagement, and social procurement commitments.

Mitchell Water Testimonial for Tender Support

A well-crafted Local Industry Development Plan is essential for demonstrating alignment with Local Jobs First and delivering community benefit. Sedo Group offers expert, tailored support to ensure your LIDP integrates with broader procurement strategy, workforce planning, and social procurement outcomes.

Get In Touch

Whether you’re new to the Local Jobs First Policy or seeking to enhance your bid response, Sedo Group can help you design a compliant and compelling LIDP.

📩 Contact us to discuss your project requirements.
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