- Published:
- Thursday 13 March 2025 at 2:17 pm
On 1 April 2025, the Supplier Code of Conduct (Code) will change, to help ensure suppliers meet the mandatory minimum standards.
Departments and agencies need to update their contracts and processes to reflect these changes.
The Supplier Code of Conduct
The Victorian Government implemented the Code in July 2017. The Code:
- sets out minimum expectations that suppliers to Government should aspire to
- applies to all Victorian Government contracts, agreements and purchase orders for the supply of goods, services and construction works and services (regardless of value).
Changes in the revised Code
There are new obligations on suppliers. In particular:
- compliance with the Code will now be a term of agreements
- suppliers must agree that they may be the subject of an investigation regarding compliance with the Code
- suppliers must immediately notify the purchaser, if they become aware of any non-compliance with the Code.
Supplier Code of Conduct Commitment Letters are no longer required. This is because the new clauses make compliance a term of agreements instead.
New model clauses
The Victorian Government Purchasing Board has published updated model clauses on Buying For Victoria.
Departments and agencies must include these clauses in all approaches to market and subsequent contracts with suppliers.
What departments and agencies need to do
All market approach documents and contracts issued after April 1 must reflect the revised Code. Departments and agencies will need to update their procurement documents and templates to:
- incorporate new model clauses into market approach documents and contracts
- remove the Supplier Code of Conduct Commitment Letter, which is no longer required.
Departments and agencies may need legal advice about these changes. VGSO is available to assist.
Further resources
For further information regarding the revisions to the Code, application of the Code to existing contracts and guidance materials for buyers and suppliers, visit Buying For Victoria.
If you are a supplier or have general queries about the revised Code, you can also reach out to the Buying for Victoria team at: buyingforvictoria@dtf.vic.gov.au
Contact us
The VGSO is available to assist departments and agencies incorporate the new model clauses, or advise on any adjustments to fit your needs and context. Please reach out to our team if you need any assistance.
Sophie Lefebvre
Principal Solicitor
Rebecca Radford
Lead Counsel
Updated