WHAT IS A CAPABILITY STATEMENT AND WHY YOU NEED IT TO WIN TENDERS?

If you’re planning to bid for a government tender or just want to look sharp for new opportunities a capability statement is a great tool to have on hand.

Think of it as your business’s elevator pitch on a page. It gives decision-makers a quick view of what you do, who you’ve worked with, and why you’re a strong choice. Kind of like a business resume, but more relevant and much easier to read.

Never made one before?

No stress. Here’s how to put one together and how BIDTEK can help you build it as you go.

FIRST UP, WHAT IS A CAPABILITY STATEMENT?

A capability statement is a one-page overview of your business, built to show:

• What you offer.
• What you’re good at.
• Who you’ve worked with (and how it went).
• What makes you different.
• How to contact you.

They’re often asked for in government tenders, but also come in handy for general enquiries, partnerships, or when someone asks you to "send through something".

CAPABILITY STATEMENT BASICS

The trick is to get the right mix of proof, clarity and confidence. One page is often enough.

Business overview

A short intro to what you do, who you do it for, and where you work.

Example to add: “We’re a civil construction company based in regional NSW, specialising in roadworks and stormwater drainage.”

Core capabilities

Use bullet points to list your key services or areas of expertise.

Example to add: “Earthworks. Trenching. Pipe installation. Safety signage.”

Project experience

Pick a few projects that reflect the kind of work you want more of. Show the results, name-drop if you can.

Example to add: “Delivered three major flood recovery projects for Council X, completed on time and within budget.”

Key people (optional)

Highlight licences, qualifications, or specialist experience — especially if you're in a niche industry.

Example to add: “Our lead engineer is RPEQ-accredited and has 15 years of government infrastructure experience.”

Certifications and compliance

Tick the boxes for insurance, industry memberships, safety records or compliance documentation.

Example to add: “ISO9001 certified. Full public liability and workers' comp coverage.”

What makes you different

Say what gives you an edge. Be specific — fast response times, regional service, niche skills.

Example to add: “We can mobilise quickly across rural NSW with no need for subcontractors.”

Contact details

Include name, phone number, email, website, and ABN if needed. It’s a simple detail — but one that’s often missed.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT FURTHER

Once your one-page capability statement is sorted, you can expand it with extra details that help build trust:

• Client testimonials. A few short quotes can go a long way in backing up what you say about your work.
• Case studies. A simple breakdown of a recent project shows your process and results. Try this format:
• Name of project.
• Client.
• Budget (optional).
• Challenges.
• How you overcame them.
• Outcome for the client.
• Anything else worth sharing.
• Team bios. If your people are key to the service you deliver, include a short intro, photo, and what they bring to the table.
• Past or current clients. You can list clients you’ve worked with — just make sure you have their permission and consider confidentiality.

These extras aren’t always necessary — but if you’re in a competitive market or pitching for larger jobs, they can help tip the decision in your favour.

Already have a capability statement? Use it in BIDTEK.

If you’ve got a capability statement already, great — you can upload it directly into BIDTEK.

If not, no worries. As you build your business profile in BIDTEK, you’re collecting everything that goes into a strong capability statement — automatically. That means:

• No blank page.
• No formatting stress.
• No second guessing what to include.

Just a smart, step-by-step process that gets it done.

BIDTEK’s AI Assist guides you through all five key elements of a capability statement — summary, competencies, differentiators, projects and accreditations — making it easier to get it right, fast.

WANT A MORE DETAILED CAPABILITY STATEMENT GUIDE?

We’ve pulled together a full Capability Statement Guide with extra tips, real-world examples and prompts to help you.