News

AG announces new pathway for regional law firms to access government work

25 March 2026

Queensland’s small, family‑owned and regional law firms will gain greater access to government legal work under changes to the state’s Legal Services Standing Offer Arrangement.

A new category has been created to allow local and regional suppliers to apply for work previously dominated by larger metropolitan practices.

The update adds a 16th category to the existing panel, widening the pool of firms available to agencies and increasing opportunities for smaller and regional practices to be considered for government matters.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the changes followed a review of how legal services were sourced across Queensland.

“We have looked closely at how government engages with the legal profession and how we can create opportunities that genuinely reflect Queensland’s decentralised landscape,” she said.

She said involving regional practitioners could strengthen decision-making by drawing on advice from people familiar with local issues.

“We have looked closely at how government engages with the legal profession and how we can create opportunities that genuinely reflect Queensland’s decentralised landscape,” she said.

“When regional practitioners are engaged, communities and the State benefit from legal advice that comes straight from the source.”

Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said the reforms were part of a wider update to procurement processes.

“We’re undertaking the biggest overhaul of government procurement in decades to create more opportunities for small, family and regional businesses to win work,” he said.

“This is about building local capability and making sure government contracts are used to support local jobs and small businesses in every corner of Queensland.”

The updated Standing Offer Arrangement will cover a range of legal practice areas. Agencies will be able to draw on the panel as needed, with the intention of increasing flexibility and improving access to specialised advice.

An Invitation to Offer will be released through the state’s procurement platform, QTenders. The process will allow eligible firms to apply for inclusion on the panel.