An agency located in a non-metropolitan area may purchase goods and services up to the value of $5,000 (including GST) from local sources, provided that the supplier's rates for the goods or services are reasonable and consistent with normal market rates. Non-metropolitan and metropolitan areas are explained further in Board Direction 2012-02.
Principals of Department of Education schools can also purchase goods and services up to the value of $5,000 (including GST), despite those goods and services being available on whole-of-government contracts (except excluded contracts on a list maintained by DEC as amended from time to time). The Department of Education website provides further details.