Roles and Relationships

The Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training approved a grant to the University of Newcastle as "Lead University" under the Workplace Productivity Programme for the project known as the Australian National Higher Education Procurement Benchmarking Programme (ANHEPBP).

The Federal Government has announced the creation of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). All references to DEST will now be referred to as DEEWR.

Roles and Relationships of ANHEPBP under the DEEWR Funding Arrangements

The University of Newcastle agreed to act as "Lead University" to ensure that a grant application was made on behalf of the university sector for the purposes of benchmarking the procurement function and a range of commodities and services, an area in which the University has an interest and expertise.

The University has entered into a contract Higher Ed Services Pty Ltd (HES) to perform the services required as the Programme Manager to enable the University to fulfill its obligations under the Conditions of Grant.

Higher Ed Services, a professional services company owned by Universities Australia, is providing the Project Management services for the Programme on behalf of the lead university. HES has appointed a Project Director (ANHEPBP) to coordinate the fifteen sub-projects proposed in the Grant application.

All communications concerning the Programme including schedules and participation is available by contacting HES.

A Grant Governance Group has been established for the project, consisting of senior representatives from the lead university, HES and participating universities with the intention that such body will provide an advocacy role for the national programme and support to HES concerning the governance of the Project.

Australian Universities Procurement Network, a voluntary AUPN Executive Committee composed of representatives from nine Australian universities, including Group of 8 and regional universities, provides direction for the initiative. The AUPN Executive Committee provides advice on collaborative procurement activities and best practice initiatives beneficial for the whole sector. The Committee's strategic objectives over the next three years are to achieve sector-wide price benchmarking of goods and services and the benchmarking of procurement practices in Australian universities to promote best practice in procurement.

Purchasing Index Pty Ltd is the service provider for the ANHEPBP. The company has significant experience in commodity and procurement function benchmarking activities both in Australia and the UK. Further information is available about the Programme upon request to Higher Ed Services.

Sam Durban, Purchasing Index & Rosalie Gillings, University of South Australia