Employment Policy: Modern Slavery

The University of Newcastle has formal policy commitments to identify, prevent and respond to the risks of modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking and child labour across its operations and supply chains.

Modern Slavery Policy

Our Modern Slavery Policy explicitly rejects slavery and exploitation, including forced labour, human trafficking and the worst forms of child labour. Approved by University Council on 1 November 2024 and effective from 10 December 2024, it was in place throughout 2025; its next scheduled review is December 2027.

The policy applies to all staff and students and all areas of the University, including controlled entities. It commits the University to identify, assess, mitigate and respond to modern slavery risks in operations, investments and supply chains, while protecting workers, vulnerable people and those reporting concerns.

The policy recognises the University’s reporting obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). Its Anti-Slavery Working Group develops, monitors and reviews the Modern Slavery Action Plan; procurement staff are to receive training to identify, report and respond to risks; and areas of heightened supply-chain risk and the University’s responses are disclosed through annual statements and reporting

Evidence of action during 2025

The University of Newcastle's 2025 Modern Slavery Statement outlines the University's approach to identifying, assessing and addressing modern slavery risks across its operations and supply chains from 1 January to 31 December 2025. Approved by University Council in April 2026 and signed on 1 May 2026, the statement documents consultation with all four controlled entities: The University of Newcastle Research Associates Ltd (TUNRA), NUServices Pty Ltd, Newcastle University Sport (NUSport) and Newcastle Australia Institute of Higher Education Pte Ltd (NAIHE Singapore).

During 2025, the University's Anti-Slavery Working Group held four formal meetings to oversee progress against its Modern Slavery Action Plan. The University incorporated modern slavery clauses into standard supplier and service-provider contracts, applied its Supplier Code of Conduct and assessed modern slavery risks for procurement activities exceeding $250,000 using the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner's inherent-risk identification tool. Higher-risk procurements were subject to additional evaluation.

The statement also reports $459.8 million in non-salary expenditure and 3,289 direct trade creditors (suppliers) in 2025, including 427 based outside Australia. This information supports the University's assessment of modern slavery risks and due diligence across its supply chain.

The University also participated in the government-funded Educating for Change project, led by ACRATH, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. In 2025, the University hosted project representatives at its Callaghan and Newcastle City campuses and introduced training modules for Anti-Slavery Working Group members and staff working directly with international students, strengthening awareness of modern slavery risks and appropriate responses.

Procurement Policy

The Procurement Policy explicitly addresses these issues:

  • Clause 4 states that the Policy supports university compliance with relevant legislation, including the Modern Slavery Act 2018.
  • Clause 19 requires the University, in its procurement activities, to uphold transparency, probity, equity and ethical behaviour, and this includes “monitoring and reporting on the risks of modern slavery within the University’s operations and supply chains and implementing actions to address such risks.”

The current Procurement Policy took effect on 15 September 2023 and was in place throughout 2025.

Protecting people and improving practice

The Modern Slavery Policy also provides for support and appropriate confidentiality when concerns are raised. It requires action to protect staff and contractors through recruitment and employment procedures, consideration of vulnerable groups including international students, and ongoing improvements in training, reporting, risk assessment and remediation.

The University’s formal policy commitments, combined with its documented 2025 work on staff awareness, responsible procurement and supplier due diligence, support the protection of workers and people at risk of exploitation across the University community and supply chains.