What is meant by a "quality system"?

A quality system, also known as a Quality Assurance (QA) system or a Quality Management System (QMS), is a management system that helps to ensure the consistency of quality of the goods or services that are supplied. There are International Standards for quality systems known as the ISO 9000 series. Compliance with Quality System Standards is demonstrated by completion of a successful quality system audit conducted by a certification organisation acceptable to the Queensland Government. Further information is available by contacting the Queensland Government Chief Procurement Office QA Hotline on 1800 628 901
Under the Queensland Government’s Quality Assurance Policy, what is a “Quality Assured Supplier?”
A supplier with a QA system that meets the buyer’s specified requirements. This could mean anything from a full second or third party certificated QA system to elements of a recognised quality system or an undocumented system.
What is a second or third party QA certification?
Second party certification results from an audit and certification of a supplier’s QA system by the buyer’s representative. This certification is only recognised by the buyer’s organisation.
Third party certification results from an audit and certification of a supplier’s QA system by an independent organisation. This certification has international recognition and will be recognised by all the supplier’s customers.
What is meant by an "approved industry/professional standard or system"?
The QA Policy acknowledges that many Industry and Professional Associations already have in place systems and standards that members are required to meet, equivalent to a QA system for that industry/profession. Suppliers should contact their industry association directly to ask about their quality assurance and accreditation services for members and how they might help to meet these policy requirements.
What do we need to document in an ISO 9001:2000 quality system?
A handbook called “HB 90.1:2000 - The Small Business Handbook (Guide to ISO 9001:2000)” will assist you to document your quality system. A number of industry specific handbooks are also available which may assist you document your quality system. These handbooks are available from SAI Global Assurance Services Customer Service Centre by phoning 1300 654 646 or Fax 1300 654 949.

What are the audits that the Queensland Government conducts?
The Queensland Government conducts, without charge, an ISO 9001:2000 second party certification program for its suppliers of high risk goods and services. This program assists suppliers to meet the QA requirements for the supply of high risk goods and services.
Suppliers are eligible for a QA System Audit by Government when:
• they are evaluated as the preferred offeror for goods or services, with QA specified
• their certificate expires during a current contract with Government requiring QA.
When QA is specified the successful supplier must have a certified QA system. Suppliers without current QA certification, who become the preferred offeror, will require a successful audit to be completed before a contract can be signed.
What about goods or services over $10,000 - is QA automatically required for them?
No. A full QA system or selected elements are only specified when the purchase is assessed as high or moderate risk respectively.
Does this mean that goods or services over $10,000 can still be low risk and not require QA?
Yes, goods or services over $10,000 can be assessed as low risk.
What happens if a purchase is less than $10,000 but is assessed as high risk?
If this occurs, the buyer should contact their department's most senior purchasing officer to request Ministerial approval to specify QA for the purchase. Quality assurance requirements for this purchase can only be specified once this Ministerial approval is obtained.
How does a supplier find out if its goods or services are high, moderate or low risk?
The supplier should ask each of its Government customers at what level of risk the goods or services it supplies is assessed. There could be variation in risk assessment between customer departments, depending on their usage.
What if the supplier already has second party certification?
If the goods or services are assessed as high risk by the supplier’s Queensland Government customer, the supplier will need to maintain certification. However, if the goods or services are assessed as low risk, suppliers will not require re-certification. In this case, the supplier may choose to apply for recognition as a Self-Assessed Quality Assured Supplier. Upon successful review of the application and the required documents, the supplier will be registered under that level of registration in the Queensland Government QA Register.
We are a third party certified organisation, how do we get registered in the Queensland Government QA Register?
A third party certified organisation becomes automatically registered in the Queensland Government QA Register by forwarding a copy of its current certificate to Queensland Government Chief Procurement Office, GPO Box 123, Brisbane Qld 4001, or by fax on 07 3224 7921. A letter confirming the registration and a registration number will be sent to the supplier.