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 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
Hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate
Suppliers and businesses must hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate when:
- tendering for procurements where the contract value is $3 million or more (exclusive of GST)
- applying for significant business expansion grants with a value of $500,000 or more (exclusive of GST)
Subcontractors delivering work worth $10 million or more (exclusive of GST) on procurements of $20 million or more (exclusive of GST) must also hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate.
Some suppliers and businesses may also need to prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan.
Find out how to apply for a Pre-Assessment Certificate.
Read the Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate - Guidelines for suppliers and businesses.
Prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan
Suppliers and businesses must prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan when:
- tendering for procurements where the contract value is $20 million or more (exclusive of GST)
- applying for significant business expansion grants with a value of $500,000 or more (exclusive of GST). The Plan must be received within 12 months of receiving the grant.
Suppliers and businesses that need to prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan also must hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate.
Find out how to prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan.
Read the Fair Jobs Code Plan - Guidelines for suppliers and businesses.
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
Tools and support
Find out more about the Fair Jobs Code.
Reviewed 12 April 2023