Decent Work and Economic Growth
Employment Practice: Equivalent Rights Outsourcing
The University of Newcastle expects businesses engaged to deliver outsourced services to respect fundamental employment and labour rights. Our supplier standards, purchasing contracts and workplace safety policies set requirements for responsible treatment of people working on behalf of the University, including employees of external providers.
Employment rights embedded in supplier requirements
The University’s Supplier Code of Conduct establishes minimum labour standards for suppliers providing goods and services to the University. The Code applies to all suppliers and is based on the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code and the University’s Ethical Framework. It calls for freely chosen employment, freedom of association and collective bargaining, safe and hygienic working conditions, living wages, reasonable working hours, no child labour, and protection against harsh or inhumane treatment.
These responsibilities are not merely voluntary supplier preferences. Clause 23 of the University’s Purchase Order Terms and Conditions requires suppliers to comply with the Supplier Code of Conduct and work with the University to meet its obligations. The conditions provide a contractual basis for applying labour-rights expectations to external providers.
Procurement oversight and employment protections
The University of Newcastle’s Procurement Policy includes provisions to promote fairness, transparency, and ethical conduct in outsourced contracts that help safeguard workers’ rights. The policy applies to procurement of goods and services across the University and its controlled entities. Its procurement principles require consideration of social impacts, relevant health and safety standards, legal compliance and ethical business practices, as well as cost.
Under the policy, University contract owners monitor suppliers’ performance and compliance with procurement principles. The the current version was approved on 4 September 2023 and took effect on 15 September 2023; it was in place throughout 2025.
The University’s Work, Health and Safety Policy also treats employees, contractors, subcontractors and labour-hire staff as workers for the purposes of its workplace health and safety responsibilities. It provides for worker consultation on decisions affecting health and safety, supporting consistent core safety protections regardless of whether work is carried out by a direct employee or an external contractor.
Modern slavery safeguards and contractual accountability
The University also has a Modern Slavery Policy addressing the rights of workers and expectations for ethical practices in its supply chain. Approved by University Council on 1 November 2024 and effective from 10 December 2024, the policy requires the University to assess and respond to risks of exploitation across operations, procurement and investments.
The University’s 2025 Annual Report records that modern slavery provisions were embedded across standard contracts with suppliers and service providers, that a Supplier Code of Conduct remained in place, and that procurement activities valued above $250,000 were assessed for modern slavery risk. Higher-risk procurements received additional evaluation. These measures help translate supplier obligations into procurement decisions and contract oversight.
2025 example: Responsible cleaning services
Cleaning is a labour-intensive service in which outsourced workers can face particular employment risks. The University’s 2025 Annual Report identifies its engagement with a cleaning-services contractor holding Cleaning Accountability Framework (CAF) 3-Star Prequalification. This provides a practical example of prioritising recognised labour standards in an outsourced service, alongside the University’s wider supplier due-diligence arrangements.
Through contractual obligations, supplier standards, safety protections and oversight, the University extends expectations for fair and safe work beyond directly employed staff to people delivering outsourced services. These arrangements support core labour rights across the University’s operations and supply chains.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.