A strategic review of the Australian Government’s Single Seller Arrangements (SSAs) has found the deals continue to deliver “significant value” to government, while also highlighting opportunities to improve transparency and how value is tracked and maintained over the life of each agreement.

Single-Seller Arrangements (SSAs), are specialised, often government-wide, procurement contracts where a single supplier is chosen to provide specific goods or services, commonly used for efficiency in IT and software purchasing

The review, commissioned by the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) and conducted by SolsticeIT, drew on feedback from government agencies, SSA vendors, industry bodies, and domestic and international representatives.

It assessed whether SSAs remain fit for purpose, continue to deliver value, and align with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Between 2019 and 2024, SSAs delivered $1.6 billion in discounts, alongside what the review described as additional value provided by participating vendors.

This included employment outcomes — with vendors collectively employing more than 10,000 Australians — as well as investment in local infrastructure and contributions to workforce capability through training and skills development initiatives.

Stakeholders also pointed to broader benefits beyond pricing, including improved efficiency through streamlined contracting processes and more consistent terms and conditions across agencies.

Whole-of-government arrangements were introduced in 2009 to help the Australian Public Service secure economies of scale, standardised contract terms, and better commercial outcomes.

The SSAs are managed by the DTA with suppliers including SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon Web Services and Rimini Street.

Traditionally, the arrangements have aimed to deliver volume-based savings, simplified procurement, and stronger contractual protections — including uplifted expectations around security and privacy.