Supplier Code of Conduct: Supplier FAQs

The Victorian Government (the State) is committed to ethical, sustainable and socially responsible procurement. We view our Suppliers as partners, and we expect the same high standards of our Suppliers.

The Supplier Code of Conduct (Code) describes the minimum expectations for Suppliers in the areas of:

• integrity, ethics and corporate governance
• labour and human rights
• health, safety and security and
• environmental management

The Code was revised to set mandatory minimum ethical standards that Suppliers must meet. This change took effect from 1 April 2025.

Updated contract clauses for the Code will be included in government contracts to reinforce the importance of complying with the Code.

The Code is streamlined and simplified, making it easier for buyers and Suppliers to understand and apply it.

New guidance will also be available to help Suppliers meet the standards set by the Code.

The Code commitment letter also is now removed from use to reduce administrative burden. Instead, the Supplier commits to the Code when they bid for work and, if successful, enter a contract with the State.

The Code will continue to apply to all contracts, agreements, and purchase orders for supply of:

• goods
• services
• construction works, and
• construction services.

Please refer to the invitation to supply documents (and related contracts) relevant to the procurement opportunity.

Suppliers must review the Code and ensure that their ‘personnel’, business operations and supply chains meet the minimum standards set out in the Code.

A Supplier’s personnel includes any directors, officers, employees, secondees, agents, third party contractors, consultants and subcontractors of the Supplier.

Suppliers should make sure the requirements of the Code are understood and applied by the relevant personnel delivering the goods, services or works.

No disruptions are expected to the way Suppliers bid and contract with the State.

From 1 April 2025, the Code will apply to existing and new contracts, but how Suppliers comply with it will be guided by the contract terms and conditions used in their contract. Refer to the contract terms and conditions to understand the Supplier’s contractual obligations in relation to the Code.

The impact on existing and new contracts is summarised in the table below:

Suppliers should refer to the terms and conditions of the contract to understand their obligations for the Code. If unsure, please contact the contracting agency’s contract manager.

The Code sets mandatory minimum ethical standards that Suppliers must meet. The State also encourages Suppliers to go beyond the standards set out in the Code.

Suppliers currently supplying to the Commonwealth Government or other jurisdictions in Australia are likely already meeting similar mandatory minimum standards.

Complying with the Code will strengthen the integrity of the Supplier’s business and place it in a better position to bid and win future government contracts.

We may check at any time whether the Supplier is meeting these standards including requesting information on what policies, procedures and systems in place.

There is no change, Suppliers must continue to report non-compliance of the Code, as per existing processes.

Refer to the Code and the specific terms and conditions used in the contract.

The Code is based on internationally recognised standards and frameworks which are commonly understood and accepted.

The Code does not supersede, alter or diminish other obligations required by law, regulations, policy or contract.

If Suppliers identify a conflict with the Code and other obligations, please contact the contracting agency for guidance.

All government Suppliers must meet the requirements of the Code.

A benefit of the Code is that Suppliers will have more flexibility on how to demonstrate their compliance with the minimum mandatory standards.

Factors such as business size, scale, complexity and the industry a Supplier operates in are all relevant when demonstrating compliance.

For example, what may be appropriate for a small Supplier may not be appropriate for a large Supplier. Refer to the Supplier guidance for more information.

Agency buyers may have additional ethical requirements of Suppliers when conducting their procurement.

These requirements will be included by the procurement agency in its invitation to supply documents.

Contact the relevant agency for more information.

The Supplier Code of Conduct and the Fair Jobs Code are both procurement policies that operate in parallel.

The Supplier Code of Conduct has a broad scope, setting standards across many areas of conduct. The Fair Jobs Code focusses solely on labour standards and compliance with related laws.

The Supplier Code of Conduct applies to all procurements regardless of the value. However, the Fair Jobs Code policy applies to procurement contracts valued at $1 million or more (exc GST) including standing offer arrangements, supplier panels and registers. This means that all procurements will apply the Supplier Code of Conduct, while only some procurements will apply both policies.

For more information about the Fair Jobs Code and its requirements see, Fair Jobs Code for suppliers and businesses.