Aboriginal owned and operated construction business, Garli, were this year notified that they had been upgraded to a higher level of classification within the National Prequalification System for Civil (Road and Bridge) Construction Contracts, making Garli one of the first Aboriginal owned businesses in WA to achieve a full prequalification status of R2 in the roadworks category.

As a business cannot tender for most road construction contracts without prequalification, Garli embarked on gaining experience on road projects in late 2018 to prepare for the prequalification process. Garli achieved their initial prequalification at R1 in the roadworks category, B1 in the bridgeworks category and a financial level of F2 in late 2021 after receiving their International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certification for their safety, environmental and quality systems. Achieving this level of certification and prequalification then led to their accreditation under the Australian Government Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme in July 2022, enabling the company to tender for Australian Government funded projects.

Garli Managing Director, Darren Lundberg, recognised the value of prequalification for not only the operational improvements but the upskilling of the workforce.

“Achieving prequalification allows Garli to tender on larger and more complex projects with Main Roads and other state road authorities,” Darren said. “It establishes the business as a reliable and professional contender for Main Roads projects, opening up significant opportunities.”

Garli completed the first 7km of Bindoon Bypass Highway in June 2022 in conjunction with Main Roads’ Region Network Contract contractor, Service Stream and is in the process of completing the next 11km Bindoon North Project. Works for the current 11km involves the construction of 1 x 3.5m lane in each direction, overtaking lanes in each direction, a 1m centre line, 2m sealed shoulders, culvert installation, construction of side roads, line marking and barriers/fencing.

Other works Garli are currently undertaking for Main Roads include minor capital works in the Metropolitan Region and Manuwarra Red Dog Highway Stage 4A.

Garli has a high level of Aboriginal employment across the business with significant use of other Aboriginal businesses in their supply chain through suppliers and subcontractors. Garli has committed to ensuring local Aboriginal participation across WA by providing opportunities that shall deliver sustainable employment outcomes in addition to economic development within their business. Part of their strategy has involved implementing and growing partnerships under Joint Venture arrangements with Juukan Group at Rio Tinto’s Brockman mine site, Ngarluma and Banjima Traditional Owners in the Pilbara and with Yurra Pty Ltd on Main Roads’ Manuwarra Red Dog Highway Project.

Garli’s advice for emerging businesses considering prequalification is to plan ahead by understanding the requirements of the prequalification process and prepare all documentation in advance to avoid delays. Main Roads supported Garli by providing guidelines on the procurement process and advice when needed. They recommend seeking mentorship by engaging with organisations or peers who have successfully participated in similar processes for valuable insights. And to invest in compliance by allocating resources toward meeting required legal, technical, and operational standards, as these are critical for successful prequalification.

Business wishing to learn more about the prequalification process, can do so here.