Learning to Adapt: Five Procurement Trends for Education in 2023

The education sector is a major contributor to Australia’s economy and community life. Schools, TAFEs and universities purchase everything from facilities and technology to specialist services and research equipment – often under intense budget and regulatory pressure.

As the sector continues to rebuild and respond to changing expectations, procurement teams are at the centre of that shift. Below are five trends reshaping how education institutions buy in 2023 and beyond.

1. ESG and Sustainable Suppliers

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are no longer optional. Education providers are increasingly expected to ensure their supply chains reflect their values – from emissions and waste to modern slavery, diversity and community impact.

That means looking beyond price to understand who you’re buying from, how they operate and what risks sit behind their products and services. Procurement teams are putting more emphasis on supplier due diligence, sustainability credentials and transparent reporting.

2. Better Use of Data and Analytics

With budgets under pressure, education leaders are asking sharper questions about where money is going and what value is being achieved. Procurement teams need systems that can quickly surface spend by category, supplier, department and contract – rather than relying on manual reconciliations.

Platforms that centralise sourcing and purchasing activity make it easier to build that picture, highlight consolidation opportunities and track the impact of sourcing strategies over time.

3. Digital Workflows and Self-Service

Staff and academics expect the same simple, intuitive experiences at work that they have as consumers. Complex, paper-based or email-driven procurement processes can slow down teaching, research and operations – and encourage workarounds.

Digital workflows, guided buying tools and catalogues of approved suppliers help buyers get what they need quickly, while still following policy. This reduces friction, improves compliance and frees procurement teams to focus on strategic work rather than chasing forms.

4. Managing Risk in an Uncertain Environment

From supply chain disruption to cyber threats, education institutions face a wide range of risks. Procurement has a key role in identifying and managing those risks across suppliers and contracts.

That includes tracking key documents (like insurances), assessing supplier resilience, understanding contract dependencies and building contingency plans. Having a central system to manage contracts and supplier records gives procurement a stronger base to monitor risk and respond proactively.

5. Supporting Local and Social Outcomes

Many education institutions are anchors in their communities. By intentionally engaging local, social and Indigenous suppliers, they can support employment, inclusion and long-term economic benefits in the regions they serve.

Procurement teams are setting clearer objectives around local spend, using tools to discover relevant suppliers and designing sourcing strategies that balance value-for-money with broader social impact.

Looking Forward

As education continues to evolve, procurement is shifting from a transactional function to a strategic partner. Teams that embrace ESG, data, digital workflows, risk management and social value are better placed to support their institutions’ missions – and to demonstrate the impact they deliver far beyond the purchase order.