Boost for local SA workers

Companies gunning for large state government contracts in South Australia will soon have to employ at least 15 per cent local workers if they want to win a project.

In an effort to support local jobs, the SA government on Wednesday announced changes to its tender evaluation process for contracts worth more than $220,000.

These include a new local jobs weighting minimum of 15 per cent, up from the existing five or 10 per cent, depending on the project.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said it will give companies that support South Australian workers an advantage when bidding for government work.

"It will encourage tenderers to partner with local sub-contractors and suppliers to boost their chances of success," Mr Koutsantonis said.

"In addition, these changes make it more likely that a close tender will be won by the bid with more South Australian jobs supported."

South Australia has the worst unemployment rate of all Australian states, at 7.9 per cent.

The changes will come into effect on November 6.