Fair Jobs Code for suppliers and businesses

Find out what the Fair Jobs Code is and what suppliers and businesses need to do to implement the Code.

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What is the Fair Jobs Code?

The Victorian Fair Job Code enables the Victorian Government to use its purchasing power to:

  • promote secure employment and fair labour standards, and
  • ensure compliance with employment, workplace and industrial laws.

When entering high value contracts or grants, suppliers and businesses must demonstrate how they provide workplaces that are:

  • fair
  • safe
  • secure
  • cooperative
  • inclusive.

The Code sets standards that suppliers and businesses contracting with Victorian Government must meet:

  • Standard 1: Comply with all applicable employment, industrial relations and workplace health and safety obligations.
  • Standard 2: Promote secure employment and job security.
  • Standard 3: Foster cooperative and constructive relationships between employers, employees and their representatives.
  • Standard 4: Foster workplace equity and diversity.
  • Standard 5: Promote supply chain compliance.

Suppliers and businesses are required to:

  • meet Standard 1 to be able to receive a Pre-Assessment Certificate
  • address Standards 2 - 5 in their Fair Jobs Code Plan (for high value contracts and significant business expansion grants).

There is no charge to a supplier or business to apply, obtain or renew a Pre-Assessment Certificate.

Read the Fair Jobs Code.

Read Fair Jobs Code Fact sheet.

What does the Code apply to?

The Fair Jobs Code applies to:

  • procurement of:
    • goods
    • works
    • services
  • business expansion grants over $500,000 (exclusive of GST), where a key milestone is the delivery of new jobs.

The Fair Jobs Code applies when:

  • suppliers bid for procurements worth $3 million or more (exclusive of GST)
  • subcontractors deliver work worth $10 million or more (exclusive of GST) on procurements of $20 million or more (exclusive of GST)
  • businesses apply for significant business expansion grants of $500,000 or more (exclusive of GST).

When does the Code apply from?

From 1 December 2022, all Victorian Government departments and agencies must apply the Code to:

  • tender processes, and subsequent procurement contracts
  • grants, and subsequent grant agreements.

Complying with the Code

Depending on the value of the procurement or grant, suppliers and businesses may be required to:

  • hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate
  • prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan.

Hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate

Suppliers and businesses must hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate when:

  • tendering for procurements where the contract value is $3 million or more (exclusive of GST)
  • applying for significant business expansion grants with a value of $500,000 or more (exclusive of GST)

Subcontractors delivering work worth $10 million or more (exclusive of GST) on procurements of $20 million or more (exclusive of GST) must also hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate.

Some suppliers and businesses may also need to prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan.

Find out how to apply for a Pre-Assessment Certificate.

Read the Fair Jobs Code Pre-Assessment Certificate - Guidelines for suppliers and businesses.

Prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan

Suppliers and businesses must prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan when:

  • tendering for procurements where the contract value is $20 million or more (exclusive of GST)
  • applying for significant business expansion grants with a value of $500,000 or more (exclusive of GST). The Plan must be received within 12 months of receiving the grant.

Suppliers and businesses that need to prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan also must hold a Pre-Assessment Certificate.

Find out how to prepare a Fair Jobs Code Plan.

Read the Fair Jobs Code Plan - Guidelines for suppliers and businesses.

Complaints under Fair Jobs Code

Certain people may submit a complaint about a supplier or business who does not comply with the Fair Jobs Code.

Visit How to make a complaint about a supplier or business for:

  • who can submit a complaint
  • how to submit a complaint
  • how a complaint is handled.

General complaints about an action or service provided by the Fair Jobs Code Unit can be made to the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions – Complaints form.

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