Many APS employees assume coaching can only be purchased through a government procurement panel, and that non-panel providers cannot be engaged. In practice, coaching is often able to be purchased through standard low-value procurement pathways, particularly when the total engagement is under departmental delegation limits and can be paid via credit card or purchase order.

The key consideration across APS procurement frameworks is not only panel status. It is whether the purchase demonstrates value for money, aligns with capability development needs, and complies with internal approval processes.

Note: Because procurement rules vary between departments and agencies, the most reliable first step is to check your organisation’s procurement or finance guidance before engaging a coaching provider.

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Do I need a panel provider to engage an APS coach?

In many APS contexts, a panel provider is not required for lower-value professional services engagements. Coaching is typically treated as a capability development or professional development service rather than a standardised supply arrangement.

Where the total engagement value is below common procurement thresholds, agencies often allow:

• direct engagement of suppliers
• credit card payments or purchase orders
• simplified value for money assessments
• internal approval by a delegated officer

Panel arrangements are more commonly required for higher-value, ongoing, or enterprise-wide services rather than individual coaching engagements.

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APS procurement rules for coaching and professional services

APS procurement policies generally require that all spending demonstrates value for money and appropriate use of public funds. Within that framework, coaching is assessed on factors such as:

• relevance of the service to capability development
• provider experience in similar contexts
• risk and suitability of the engagement
• total cost relative to delegation limits
• expected impact and outcomes

For many APS coaching engagements, particularly at APS6, EL1, EL2 and SES levels, the service is considered a targeted development investment rather than a commodity purchase.

This means procurement decisions often focus on suitability and impact rather than panel inclusion alone.

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How APS departments assess value for money in coaching

Value for money in APS procurement is not defined by price alone. It includes qualitative and quantitative factors such as:

• capability and experience of the provider
• alignment with organisational capability needs
• expected outcomes and impact
• efficiency of delivery and time to value
• overall suitability for the APS context

In coaching, a more experienced provider may deliver stronger outcomes in fewer sessions, which can represent greater overall value even at a higher hourly rate.

This is particularly relevant in leadership coaching where clarity, decision quality, and behavioural change are key outcomes.

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Why non-panel coaching providers are still engaged in the APS

Non-panel coaching providers are regularly engaged across the APS where:

• the engagement is under delegation limits
• specialist expertise is required
• fit and experience are critical to outcomes
• procurement pathways allow direct sourcing
• the service is clearly defined as capability development

Coaching effectiveness is strongly influenced by contextual understanding of APS roles, systems, and leadership environments. This often becomes a key selection factor alongside formal procurement requirements.

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Copy and paste procurement justification for APS coaching

The following wording can be adapted for internal procurement or business cases, when seeking to engage Brendon Le Lievre through Hare Consulting:

“This coaching engagement represents value for money based on the provider’s capability, relevant experience within APS environments, and demonstrated expertise in supporting leadership development, decision making, and performance in complex public sector contexts.

While the provider is not currently engaged through a procurement panel, the total value of the engagement is within applicable departmental delegation limits and is suitable for engagement via standard procurement or credit card purchasing processes, subject to internal policy.

The coaching service is intended to support leadership capability development, improve decision making under complexity, and enhance performance in role and/or career transition. These outcomes align with workforce capability priorities and organisational development objectives.

Value for money is assessed on the basis of capability, contextual relevance, and expected impact rather than price alone. The selected provider offers strong APS-specific experience at APS6, EL1, and EL2 levels, supporting efficient delivery and meaningful outcomes within a defined engagement period.”

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Can coaching be purchased on a credit card in the APS?

In many APS agencies, professional services under a defined threshold can be purchased using corporate credit cards or low-value procurement processes. This depends on internal delegations and financial policies, which vary between departments.

Where this is permitted, coaching is often treated as a straightforward professional development expense, provided it is appropriately approved and documented.

It is recommended that APS employees confirm internal requirements with their procurement or finance team before proceeding.