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 in the areas of:

• integrity, ethics and conduct
• conflict of interest, gifts, benefits and hospitality
• corporate governance
• labour and human rights
• health and safety
• environmental management

The Supplier Code of Conduct 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 Supplier guidance is available to help you meet the standards set by the Code.

The Code commitment letter is now removed from use in procurement to reduce administrative burden. Your commitment to the Code occurs when you bid for work with Government and enter a new contract with the State.

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

• goods
• services
• construction works
• 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.

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

No disruptions are expected to the way you procure 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 your 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:

If you are unsure what your obligations are, please refer to the terms and conditions of your contract or contact your relevant 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.

If you currently supply to the Commonwealth Government or other jurisdictions in Australia you are likely already meeting similar mandatory minimum standards.

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

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

There is no change, you 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 your 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 your other obligations required by law, regulations, policy or contract.

However, if you identify a conflict between the Code and you are unsure about how to respond, 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.