The Management Advisory Services (MAS) Panel (SON3751667) is a Whole of Australian Government (WOAG) mandatory coordinated procurement established to improve the quality, consistency and efficiency of the procurement of Management Advisory Services by Commonwealth entities. The services provided under the MAS Panel are commonly known as consultancies.
Use of the MAS Panel is:
- mandatory for non-corporate Commonwealth entities (NCEs) under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act)
- optional for corporate Commonwealth entities (CCEs) and Commonwealth companies (CCs), including Government Business Enterprises (GBEs), authorised by Finance.
Benefits and administration of the panel
The MAS Panel creates consistent terms and standardised rates. It reduces tendering work for industry, cuts red tape, lowers administrative effort and delivers cost savings and efficiencies across government. The panel also improves transparency by providing better data and reporting on entity spending in these service areas.
Finance administers the MAS Panel for the benefit of participating entities by:
- managing the head agreements between service providers and Finance, on behalf of the Commonwealth
- monitoring the panel and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency
- hosting and maintaining the MAS Panel webpages on the Finance website to provide guidance and tools for entities
- overseeing the Performance Management Framework and managing service provider performance issues
- providing reporting and strategic advice to support WoAG decision-making and planning
- reviewing and refreshing the panel as required
- monitoring the Flexibility Framework.
Panel term
The panel will expire on 30 September 2027. Finance may, at its sole discretion, extend the panel for a further period of up to two years in total, which may be taken in whole or in part, and in any number or combination of time periods.
MAS panel services
Service descriptors are not intended to be definitive or exhaustive and should be interpreted as a general guide as to the types of services under each service category or subcategory.
Accounting
- Budgets
- Accounting advisory
- Taxation
- Technical financial
- Financial and economic analysis
- Financial assessments
- Investment banking services
- Valuation services
Financial audit
- Financial and performance audits
- Forensic accountancy audits and investigations
Actuarial
- Actuarial services
Organisational planning and development
- Business strategy and improvement
- Change management
- Business performance reviews
- Business continuity
Human resources
- Capability and performance
- Workforce management
- Governance structures and performance
- Compliance and fraud
Internal audit
- Audit and assurance
Government policy
- Policy development and analysis
- Legislation (non-legal)
- Privacy advice and assurance (non-legal)
Programs and projects
- Program/project development and design
- Program/project management
- Program/project evaluation
Procurement and probity
- Strategic procurement advice
- Probity advisory services (non-legal)
- Probity auditing services (non-legal)
Risk
- Strategic risk management
- Research and data collection
Finding service providers
Service provider information is available through several sources, including:
- the MAS Panel website
- the Supplier Portal
- AusTender and DS4P.
The MAS Panel search tools allow users to identify:
- panel service providers
- the service subcategories they are approved to deliver
- business identifiers such as small to medium enterprises (SME) and Indigenous status.
A consolidated list of providers and their approved categories is available in the seller matrix.
Accessing the panel
NCEs can manage MAS Panel access for their staff through AusTender’s Dynamic Sourcing for Panels (DS4P).
Other entities such as CCEs, CCs and GBEs, may access the panel to achieve procurement efficiencies. To request access, contact the MAS Panel management team at maspanel@finance.gov.au. The team will review the request and provide further information including a Deed of Participation. The deed sets out the conditions for using the panel which helps maintain the panel’s integrity and ensures consistent treatment for service providers.
Access is granted once Finance receives a suitably approved and signed Deed of Participation.
The coordinated procurement fee is an administration fee payable to Finance by entities using the MAS Panel. This fee covers the cost of administering the panel, reviewing its effectiveness and refreshing the panel as required.
User guide
The user guide is intended for Commonwealth entities, including procurement teams and officials procuring services from the panel.
The guide covers the following:
- information about the panel, including the scope and benefits
- which entities can use the panel and how to join
- step-by-step instructions on using the panel, including issuing requests for quotes and work orders
- an overview of relevant connected policies and requirements.
AusTender reporting
All NCEs and prescribed CCEs must comply with the Resource Management Guide 423 Procurement Publishing and Reporting Obligations (RMG 423). This guide sets out publishing and reporting requirements under the Commonwealth Procurement Framework and other government policies.
Entities must report all contracts established under the MAS Panel on AusTender when the contract value meets or exceeds the relevant reporting threshold in the CPRs. Reporting must occur within 42 days of entering the contract.
Contract details on AusTender must accurately reflect the procurement method used to establish the standing offer and reference the relevant Standing Offer Notice ID.
Accessing panel rates
Service provider rates are available via a secure Finance GovTeams community. Access to the community is generally limited to central procurement teams and where a clear business need for access is demonstrated.
Contact your central procurement team in the first instance to access rates.
To request access to the secure pricing channel for panel services, contact the MAS Panel contract management team via email at maspanel@finance.gov.au.
Reporting
Service provider reporting is completed through CRIIS (Contractor Reporting, Integrity Information Solution).
Service providers must report:
- work orders issued under the panel
- invoices paid under work orders.
Entities are responsible for reviewing and endorsing work order information reported by service providers.
Panel refresh
Finance undertakes periodic refreshes to ensure the panel continues to meet the needs of participating Australian Government entities.
Finance Management Advisory Services were refreshed in September 2024. This refresh introduced new Investment Banking Services.
A refresh of Corporate and Commercial Management Advisory Services is currently underway. A refresh of Investment Backing Services is included in this work. Services are expected to commence in quarter 2 of 2026-27.
All Requests for Tender will be published on AusTender. To receive updates and notifications, ensure your organisation is registered on AusTender and is following the relevant planned procurement.
Contact us
For any questions, contact Finance’s MAS Panel Management team via email at MASPanel@finance.gov.au or phone (02) 6215 3399.
