Fair Jobs Code for suppliers and businesses

What is the Fair Jobs Code?

The Victorian Fair Job Code enables the Victorian Government to use its purchasing power to:

• promote secure employment and fair labour standards, and
• ensure compliance with employment, workplace and industrial laws

When entering high value contracts or grants, suppliers and businesses must demonstrate how they provide workplaces that are:

• fair
• safe
• secure
• cooperative
• inclusive

The Code sets standards that suppliers and businesses contracting with Victorian Government must meet:

• Standard 1: Comply with all applicable employment, industrial relations and workplace health and safety obligations
• Standard 2: Promote secure employment and job security
• Standard 3: Foster cooperative and constructive relationships between employers, employees and their representatives
• Standard 4: Foster workplace equity and diversity
• Standard 5: Promote supply chain compliance

Suppliers and businesses are required to:

• meet Standard 1 to be able to receive a Pre-Assessment Certificate
• address Standards 2 - 5 in their Fair Jobs Code Plan (for high value contracts and significant business expansion grants)

There is no charge to a supplier or business to apply, obtain or renew a Pre-Assessment Certificate.

Read the Fair Jobs Code.

Read Fair Jobs Code Fact sheet.

What does the Code apply to?

The Fair Jobs Code applies to:

• procurement of:
  • goods
  • works
  • services
• business expansion grants over $500,000 (exclusive of GST), where a key milestone is the delivery of new jobs

The Fair Jobs Code applies when:

• suppliers bid for procurements worth $3 million or more (exclusive of GST)
• subcontractors deliver work worth $10 million or more (exclusive of GST) on procurements of $20 million or more (exclusive of GST)
• businesses apply for significant business expansion grants of $500,000 or more (exclusive of GST)

When does the Code apply from?

From 1 December 2022, all Victorian Government departments and agencies must apply the Code to:

• tender processes, and subsequent procurement contracts
• grants, and subsequent grant agreements

Complying with the Code

Depending on the value of the procurement or grant, suppliers and businesses may be required to:

• hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate
• prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan

Complaints under Fair Jobs Code

Certain people may submit a complaint about a supplier or business who does not comply with the Fair Jobs Code.

See How to make a complaint about a supplier or business for:

• who can submit a complaint
• how to submit a complaint
• how a complaint is handled

General complaints about an action or service provided by the Fair Jobs Code Unit can be made to the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions – Complaints form.

Tools and support

Find out more about the Fair Jobs Code.

Access tools and templates for the Fair Jobs Code.

Contact the Fair Jobs Code Unit.