Eight years into the Victorian Social Procurement Framework (SPF), findings from the 2026 Victorian SPF Sector Pulse Survey point to a clearer and more focused message emerging.
A set of key insights is now shaping how people experience the Framework today and, more importantly, where it needs to go next.
1. The policy is working – but not consistently
The starting point is positive. 75% of stakeholders believe the SPF is effectively delivering outcomes.
It shows the policy itself is sound and has successfully shifted behaviours.
But that success comes with a caveat. Inconsistent implementation is still the biggest barrier, raised by 61% of respondents.
In practice, this means outcomes vary. The same policy can deliver strong results in one project and far less in another.
The takeaway is straightforward: the issue isn’t what the SPF is trying to do, it’s how reliably it’s being delivered.
2. Social impact is the standout result
If there’s one area where the SPF has clearly landed, it’s focus.
66% of respondents say the Framework has increased the focus on social impact, making it the most widely felt outcome.
That’s matched by increases in purchasing from social benefit suppliers and greater visibility of those businesses.
This matters because it reflects a deeper shift. Social procurement is no longer an afterthought, it’s influencing real decisions and real spend.
3. Commercial pressure is becoming a real headwind
At the same time, the operating environment is changing.
48% of the sector now sees commercial pressure as a key barrier, reflecting tighter project margins and rising costs.
This creates tension. When delivery becomes more challenging, there’s a risk that social outcomes are treated as something extra, rather than part of core value.
It highlights an important point: for social procurement to hold its ground, it needs to be embedded in commercial thinking, not sitting alongside it.
4. The sector wants outcomes, not just compliance
Perhaps the most important shift is in what people want next.
The top priority is clear: a greater focus on long-term outcomes (61%), followed by clearer measurement and stronger supplier support.
This marks a move away from compliance-driven approaches.
Instead of asking “Did we meet the requirement?”, the sector is asking:
- What difference did it make?
- Did opportunities last?
- Did communities benefit in a meaningful way?
It’s a shift from activity to impact and it signals a more mature system.
5. There’s a strong appetite to stay engaged
This isn’t a sector that’s stepping back.
More than half of respondents (52%) want to continue contributing through research, advocacy and working groups.
That level of engagement matters. It shows there’s shared ownership of the Framework and a willingness to help shape what comes next.
6. Progress on Aboriginal participation needs to be better measured
43% of respondents point to strengthened Aboriginal participation as a key outcome. This signals real progress but also highlights a gap, how consistently that progress is being tracked and understood.
There is a clear need for more dedicated and consistent measurement of Aboriginal economic outcomes, both to better understand what’s working and to ensure this progress can be sustained and scaled.
Bringing it together
The SPF has:
- Proven it can drive social impact
- Shifted behaviour across the market
- Created real opportunities for social benefit suppliers
But it is now entering a different phase, one defined by delivery, not design.
The next step is about making that impact more consistent, more measurable, and more embedded in day-to-day project delivery.
We’re proud to be program partners in this work and to play a role in shaping the future of social procurement in Victoria.
Source: Victorian Social Procurement Framework Sector Pulse Survey, Social Procurement Australasia, April 2026 (n=44).
