Supplying to Griffith

Griffith University is committed to promoting decent work, fair treatment of employees and the protection of workers’ rights. We are required to comply with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and the National Employment Standards (NES), which outline minimum employment entitlements for all employees in Australia. Enterprise Agreements are in place for Academic staff and Professional and Support staff. These include employment relationships, salaries and benefits, hours of work, leave entitlements, performance review and disciplinary procedures, cessation of employment, and other matters such as career development and training, working overseas, workplace bullying, union recognition, apprentices and trainees, intellectual and academic freedom and individual grievance resolution. They also outline provisions relating to contracting out of work carried out by Griffith employees.

Our procurement policies and processes, including the Queensland Government Supplier Code of Conduct, require all third-party suppliers to comply with all applicable workplace laws and regulations, as well as relevant University policies and procedures that support and protect their employees. This includes but is not limited to:

• freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and workplaces free of harassment
• fair working conditions and wages, including safe and healthy workspaces, entitlements, superannuation and workers compensation
• not discriminating unlawfully in hiring and employment practices, including salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, retirement, race, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, political opinion or disability.

In addition, we expect our third-party suppliers to confirm their commitment to ending domestic and family violence and have processes in place which complement existing legal protections.

When outsourcing, engaging or changing a third-party supplier, to deliver a function or activity on our behalf, we work collaboratively with our third-party suppliers and specialist advisors as required on a case-by-case basis to ensure fair treatment of employees and the protection of worker’s rights. For example, the University engages with various service providers to deliver facilities management services. Our invitation and contract documents require:

• Compliance with minimum wage requirements, working conditions and other entitlements in accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and National Employment Standards.
• Adherence to modern slavery legislation and University policies focused on mitigating the risk of modern slavery and human rights exploitations in all its forms.
• Compliance with University policies promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Compliance with work health and safety legislation and University policies focused on ensuring safe and healthy workplaces. This includes ensuring workers receive inductions and ongoing training and maintaining safe work method statements.
• Commitment to ending domestic and family violence and have processes in place which complement existing legal protections.

The University recognises that ethical employment practices are essential to long term social responsibility and will continue to strengthen its standards to ensure the fair treatment of workers and protection of workers’ rights throughout our supply chain.

Griffith University has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human rights exploitations in all its forms. We are committed to respecting human rights, promoting decent work and eliminating child labour, human trafficking and labour exploitation throughout our supply chains.

Learn more about our approach to identifying, preventing and addressing modern slavery risks while promoting respect for human rights throughout our supply chains

• Modern Slavery Statement 2025
• Modern Slavery Statement 2024

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
• Social enterprises.
• Local and regional suppliers, small and family businesses and medium enterprises.
• Businesses owned by women, people with disability, and linguistically and culturally diverse people.
• Businesses owned by, or employ veterans, or that support veteran transitions from the Australian Defence Force to civilian employment, or that partner with veteran charities or training programs.

Supporting Indigenous businesses

Supporting Indigenous business participation is an important part of Griffith's commitment to Reconciliation. Through our procurement practices, we ensure Indigenous businesses have full, fair and reasonable opportunities to compete for University contracts and contribute to the growth of Indigenous economic participation and employment.

We actively contribute to the Queensland Government’s target to increase the value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses to 3% of addressable spend.

Griffith is a proud member of Supply Nation and uses recognised Indigenous business directories to identify and engage Indigenous businesses.

Supporting social enterprises and local businesses

Griffith recognises the important contribution that social enterprises and Queensland-based small and family businesses, medium enterprises, and regional businesses make to innovation, employment and community wellbeing.

We seek to create opportunities for these businesses to participate in our supply chains and support the delivery of lasting community value.

We actively contribute to the Queensland Government’s target to sourcing at least 30% of procurements from Queensland-based SMEs.

Griffith University is committed to mitigating the impact of its operations and supply chains on the climate and the natural environment.

When undertaking procurement activities, we consider the following:

• emissions reduction and transition to low-carbon solutions
• waste minimisation and circular economy principles (e.g., reuse, repair, recycling)
• avoidance of unnecessary consumption, including plastic, single use plastic and disposable items
• sustainable sourcing and resource efficiency (e.g., materials, water, energy)
• ethically sourced and sustainably farmed food, including those harvested from terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
• reduction in environmental harm, including impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity and natural resources
• consideration of recognised standards, certifications and environmentally responsible supply chains.

Griffith University is committed to preventing and ending domestic and family violence and ask our suppliers to confirm their commitment in our invitation and contract documents.

We expect our suppliers to take reasonable steps to have processes in place that complement existing legal protections. This includes whistle-blower, support line, appointed domestic and family violence contact people within the workplace, awareness education and education for line managers on how to respond to domestic and family violence disclosures from employees and workers.

Griffith University is committed to ensuring its suppliers comply with animal welfare legislation. Where a supplier is in charge of animals used to produce food and beverages provided to us, suppliers must comply with the relevant animal welfare legislation (including the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 and regulations), related codes, standards and guidelines at a minimum, regarding those animals. This is communicated to our suppliers in our invitation and contract documents.

Griffith is committed to creating a safe and healthy workplace for our community, students, staff, contractors and suppliers, and we expect our suppliers to demonstrate the same commitment.

When doing business with us, contractors and suppliers should comply with our work health safety management system. This encompasses aspects relating to physical and psychological wellbeing, eliminating work-related injury, support, rehabilitation and responsibilities around safety and risk reporting.

When engaging with us under a contract, agreement or other documented work arrangement, we will work together with you to fulfil all work health and safety obligations. To do this, we ask you agree to comply with all obligations under Australian work heath and safety legislation and any/all other specific requirements, and supply goods to a minimum standard.

Griffith is committed to ensuring every child has the right to be safe, no matter where they are. Where a supplier works with children in Queensland, or provides services and spaces specifically for them, they must comply with the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 and be able to demonstrate that they are child safe and implement the 10 Child Safe Standards and related reporting requirements.