Modern Slavery Statement - June 2021 swinburne.edu.au
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Modern Slavery
Statement
June 2021
swinburne.edu.au
CRICOS 00111D RTO 3059From our
Vice-Chancellor
Freedom from slavery is a human right and an issue of great
importance to Swinburne University of Technology. We deplore
all forms of slavery and forced labour, and we understand the
Modern Slavery Statement
significant role of universities in helping to end modern slavery.
We are committed to taking the necessary steps to identify
and resolve any form of modern slavery within the University’s
operations, its suppliers and partner organisations.
In 2020, we focused on addressing the potential risk of modern
slavery in our supply chain by working collaboratively with our
suppliers and peers across our sector. We are working to ensure
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our policy and practices, contract terms and supplier due diligence
Swinburne University of Technology
is carried out, and see the need for education to identify and
address potential modern slavery in our operations as critical.
We also acknowledge the opportunity to influence companies
to create positive change through our investments. Addressing
human rights issues and modern slavery, in addition to climate
change and sustainable development, are our areas of focus with
regards to the University’s investments.
At Swinburne, we have fostered an inclusive and supportive
culture. We drive positive social outcomes through our teaching,
research, partnerships and university operations.
We have a zero tolerance stance on all forms of slavery and forced
labour. I look forward to Swinburne continuing to play an important
role in addressing the significant issue of modern slavery.
Professor Pascale Quester
Vice-Chancellor and President
2This statement covers the period
1 January to 31 December 2020
This statement was approved by the University Council of
Swinburne University of Technology on 29th May 2021.
Professor Pascale Quester
Vice Chancellor & President
24th June 2021
Acknowledgment of Country
Swinburne University of Technology
We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional
Owners of the land on which Swinburne’s Australian campuses are located in Melbourne’s
east and outer-east, and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We are
honoured to recognise our connection to Wurundjeri Country, history, culture, and spirituality
through these locations, and strive to ensure that we operate in a manner that respects
and honours the Elders and Ancestors of these lands. We also respectfully acknowledge
Swinburne’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, alumni, partners and visitors.
We also acknowledge and respect the Traditional Owners of lands across Australia, their Elders,
Ancestors, cultures, and heritage, and recognise the continuing sovereignties of all Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Nations.
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Modern Slavery Statement
Reporting entity
The parent entity is Swinburne Swinburne has the following
University of Technology controlled entities: Consolidated revenue
(ABN 13 628 586 699), which is for Swinburne and its
winburne Student Amenities
S controlled entities
registered as an incorporated
Association Ltd (trading as
charitable institution with the
Swinburne Student Life)
Australian Charities and Not- from the period 1 January
for-profits Commission (ACNC). to 31 December 2020
Swinburne Ventures Limited
No other entity owns a
share of Swinburne University
winburne International
S
of Technology.
(Holdings) Pty Ltd (holding
company for Swinburne Business
$747.5 million
Consulting Nanjing Co. Ltd)
ational Institute of Circus
N
Arts Ltd (NICA)
Capsular Technologies Pty Ltd
3About
Swinburne
University of
Technology
Swinburne University of alongside vocational education. technology platforms, our
We deliver courses in a broad researchers are collaborating
Technology is a world- range of disciplines, including with industry through embedded
class university creating science, information technology, partnerships to drive innovation
social and economic engineering, exercise and sport and create impact.
science, health sciences, occupational
impact through science, therapy, nursing, psychology, law, Swinburne has three campuses
technology and innovation. arts and humanities, aviation, built located in the eastern suburbs of
environment and architecture, Melbourne at Hawthorn, Croydon
Swinburne is committed to transforming business, design, education, English and Wantirna. We have a fourth
Modern Slavery Statement
the future of education by giving language and study skills, film and campus in Sarawak, Malaysia, as
students the knowledge, adaptability television, games and animation, well as the National Institute of
and experience they need to make a and media and communications. Circus Arts located in Prahran,
lasting impact on the workplaces of Melbourne. Swinburne also has
tomorrow. We create future-ready Swinburne’s close ties with locations in Sydney and Vietnam,
graduates by taking our students industry provide students with each offering a small suite of
outside the conventional classroom opportunities for valuable sought-after Swinburne courses.
and introducing them to new and workplace experiences. Industry In 2019, we opened an office in
different ways of learning and thinking.
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representatives inform, shape Nanjing, China – further connecting
Swinburne University of Technology
Their future readiness comes from and challenge our curricula. We us to some of the fastest-growing
hands-on experience, and connecting continue to lead the sector in our regions in the world.
with industry leaders, the world around approach to work placements and
us and one another. Our commitment industry links with a consistent We offer a range of qualifications
to knowledge is driven by our research and comprehensive Work online through Swinburne Online
and focus on making a real-world Integrated Learning program. and Open Universities Australia.
impact that transforms our global Swinburne maintains a strong Swinburne Online began in 2012
and local communities. commitment to quality student through a successful joint venture
outcomes and to teaching and partnership with Seek Ltd to
As a trusted and respected learning experiences. create educational opportunities
world-class leader in research for students wishing to study
excellence, we are determined to Swinburne researchers have a off campus.
make a real difference to the reputation for high-quality,
communities we serve. We do all award-winning research with Swinburne holds an investment
this by providing physical and virtual particular strengths in computer portfolio that is managed by a
spaces where ideas are nurtured. science and information technology, third-party specialist investment
Our students and staff around the design, media and innovation, adviser under the direction of the
world are supported to push engineering, infrastructure, materials Council and relevant sub-committees,
boundaries and create the future, science, astronomy, physics, social and in line with the university’s
today. This is our commitment to our impact research, health sciences, Responsible Investment Charter.
students – to those in higher neurosciences and mental health.
education, those undertaking Swinburne’s total student
pathways and vocational education, Swinburne’s research institutes foster headcount in 2020 was 41,887
those who are just starting out and interdisciplinary collaboration and across higher education and 16,406
those mastering their field. No deeper research connections with across vocational education. At the
matter who our students are or industry, business and community end of 2020, Swinburne had 4,820
how they want to drive their future, – connections that maximise staff (2,956 full-time equivalent),
we will help them fulfil their goals in Swinburne’s impact. Our institutes comprising 1,439 full-time, 342
a connected world. provide leadership in data science, part-time and 3,039 fixed term/
health and social innovation, smart casual headcount staff.
As a dual-sector university, cities and the future of manufacturing.
Swinburne offers higher education Underpinned by leading digital
4Our commitment to sustainability and reconciliation
Swinburne recognises the In 2018, Swinburne committed to Swinburne was one of the first
importance of preparing tomorrow’s the United Nation’s Sustainable universities in Australia to implement
leaders and decision makers to Development Goals (SDGs). Joining a responsible investment charter,
contribute to a sustainable future. organisations from around the ensuring environmental and social
Our commitment to sustainability globe, Swinburne committed to impacts are considered in our
remains one of our core values. It is the 17 SDGs that aim to ‘transform University’s investment choices.
embedded across our University and our world’ through ending poverty, In December 2019, Swinburne
Swinburne University of Technology
our daily operations as we seek to protecting the planet and ensuring committed to becoming carbon
ensure a sustainable future. We take prosperity for all on the road to neutral by 2025. In January 2020, we
a universal approach to sustainability, 2030. SDG 8.7 calls for an end to became the first university in Victoria
considering the physical environment modern slavery by 2030. to sign the Global Climate Emergency
we operate in, as well as our people, Letter in recognition of the need for
practices and research. Swinburne’s 2020–2023 Reconciliation a drastic societal shift to combat the
Action Plan (RAP) has been endorsed growing threat of climate change.
Swinburne has made several as an Elevate RAP by Reconciliation
commitments and taken action Australia, signifying Swinburne’s
to support a sustainable future. strong commitment to reconciliation.
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Modern Slavery Statement
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/about/strategy-initiatives/sustainability-environment/
Our risk and governance frameworks
Under the Swinburne University Swinburne’s Enterprise Risk Corporate governance at the
of Technology Act 2010, Council Management Framework defines University is the set of values,
maintains responsibility and the University’s risk operating model, principles and processes by
oversight of the University’s Risk responsibilities, methodology, which the University is directed
Management Policy and Framework and monitoring and reporting and controlled. The University’s
through its Audit and Risk obligations. The University bases its corporate governance underpins
Committee. The Vice-Chancellor, risk management framework on the the behaviours and practices
Professor Pascale Quester, is the ISO 31000:2018, Risk management expected of Council, each member
President and Chief Executive Officer – Principles and Guidelines, which of Council, all staff and the university
of the University and is generally ensures continuous improvement in carrying out their responsibilities.
responsible for the conduct of the in risk management practices and The aim of the University’s corporate
University’s affairs in all matters. The applies the Victorian Government governance is to ensure that good,
Council, Audit and Risk Committee, Risk Management Framework. ethical decisions are made by the
Executive and senior leaders Enterprise and operational risk right person.
support the desired risk culture by assessments are undertaken on an
demonstrating consistent mindsets annual basis as part of the strategic
and behaviours. planning process. Swinburne has a
zero-risk tolerance to breaches of
our moral and ethical values.
5Our supply chain
Swinburne procures goods and Table 1: Spend by area
services from a broad range of
Spend area Proportion of
industries that support the running
total spend (%)
of our physical campuses (such as
cleaning, security, maintenance),
Corporate professional services 15%
enable the effective delivery of
teaching and research (such as Construction, refurbishment and works 13%
IT software, library subscriptions, IT software 10%
laboratory consumables) and Marketing and media 9%
generally supports the running of
Human resources 8%
the business (such as advertising,
recruitment, office supplies). Buildings and grounds 7%
Modern Slavery Statement
Library services 6%
In 2020, the University engaged
Lecturer and teaching services 4%
6,981 suppliers to supply 43,114
transactions of goods or services Laboratories and research 4%
across different spend areas as IT professional services 4%
demonstrated in Table 1. Utilities and renewables 4%
IT hardware 3%
In 2020, 94.5 per cent of Swinburne’s
supply chain spend was with Student services 2%
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Swinburne University of Technology
Australian-based suppliers, including Telecommunications 2%
a considerable proportion located Travel and entertainment 1%
in the areas surrounding the
Audio visual 1%
University’s campuses. Internationally,
Swinburne has supply arrangements Office supplies 1%
with businesses located across Other 6%
Europe, America and Asia. Table 2
outlines the most common
locations of the University’s suppliers
Table 2: Most common locations of International suppliers
outside Australia.
Supplier Number Predominant
Typically, Swinburne establishes and country of suppliers spend area
maintains long-term relationships
with high value and/or strategic United States of America 142 Electronic library supplies,
suppliers. Swinburne aims to cultivate software (support, teaching
partnerships with select suppliers & research)
where we may collaborate on India 52 Student recruitment
research or educational outcomes. (international), course
Suppliers of low-value and low-risk development services
goods or services may be based on
Germany 25 Electronic library
either an ongoing or ad hoc yet
supplies, research services
transactional relationship.
& equipment
Singapore 21 Electronic library supplies,
software (teaching & research)
Sri Lanka 18 Student recruitment
(international)
Ireland 9 Support software
Finland 3 Scientific equipment
service & maintenance
6Understanding our modern slavery risks
Swinburne recognises and supports no tolerance for corrupt conduct, Conduct of Research. We are
that freedom from slavery is a fraudulent activities and committed to ensuring that all
fundamental human right. maladministration. The policy research is conducted responsibly
requires that responsible persons with honesty, integrity and respect
We recognise our moral obligation must be free from a conflict of for human research participants,
to respect human rights in our interest, bias and inappropriate animals and the environment.
operations, across our supply chain influence when making decisions Research may be undertaken in
and in our investments. We support and dealing with other persons or partnership with a variety of Australian
the UN Guiding Principles on organisations on behalf of the and international external parties
Business and Human Rights (UN University. These policies are that may include startups, small to
Guiding Principles), which are the supported by the Complaints, medium enterprises, not-for-profit
recognised global standard for Reviews, Appeals and Misconduct enterprises, multinationals and
Swinburne University of Technology
preventing and addressing business- framework for students and staff. government bodies. Due diligence
related human rights harm. is carried out on potential research
The University is committed to partners to assess ethical and
Operational risks providing an environment for work sustainable business practices
Most Swinburne staff are covered and study that is free from bullying, that align with Swinburne’s own
under an enterprise agreement. violence, sexual harassment and integrity standards.
Staff are represented in the assault, discrimination, and
enterprise bargaining process by harassment and vilification. The Swinburne has an independent
the National Tertiary Education University is also committed to the disclosure service (called Stopline)
Union and Australian Education safety of children and has zero for employees and third parties to
Union. Staff who are not covered by tolerance for child abuse. report suspected or actual illegal or
an enterprise agreement are improper activity. Information
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covered by modern awards. Swinburne The University’s position on improper outlining how to access this service
Modern Slavery Statement
supports freedom of association conduct (including fraud and and the process for managing
and employee representation. corruption, criminal offences, claims is found within Swinburne’s
substantial risk to health and Improper Conduct and Whistleblowing
Swinburne is compliant with local safety of a person) is guided by Guidelines. Disclosers may disclose
labour laws and regulations. We do the principles of: anonymously if they wish.
not impose any penalties or other
• u
pholding the highest standards of
negative consequences on employees Investment portfolio risk
legal, ethical and moral behaviour
wishing to cease their employment. Through investments in public and
• e
nsuring the organisational
Employees leave their jobs without private companies, we can have an
culture and embedded risk
barriers or fear of consequences. impact on the environment and
controls effectively deter
We do not source labour or use communities worldwide. We believe
improper conduct
recruitment agencies (including we have an opportunity to influence
• b
uilding willingness to report
labour brokers) that source labour those companies to create positive
wrongdoing
from outside Australia. change. Our areas of focus are:
• e
nsuring compliance with public
interest disclosure or whistle- • c limate change
We have policies and procedures in
blower legislation (including the • human rights and modern slavery
place to ensure a safe, equitable
Public Interest Disclosure Act • s ustainable development.
and supportive working environment
and the Corporations Act)
for our staff and students. The
• p
rotections for individuals who Swinburne’s current investment fund
University’s People, Culture and
disclose improper conduct manager has undertaken an incident
Integrity Policy sets out the
• n
atural justice. analysis across their listed equity and
University’s commitment to building
fixed income funds for any red flag
a positive culture, promoting integrity
Swinburne researchers are incidents in relation to modern
and supporting University members,
committed to the highest ethical, slavery (aligned to UN Global Compact
community and industry partners.
professional and scholarly standards. principles on forced labour and child
Ethical conduct is expected,
Our research adheres to the labour). There were no holdings with
encouraged and supported with
Australian Code for the Responsible red flag incidents found in any funds
7and no amber flags in any of the Swinburne’s investment manager basis using publicly available data
funds in which Swinburne invests. reports at least annually to the sources, including the Global Slavery
Swinburne Philanthropy, Infrastructure Index1. At this point, inherent risk
The University’s investment manager and Investments Committee, and analysis has been undertaken across
has also developed a proprietary Council, on regular assessments our direct suppliers, however, work is
approach to proactively assessing undertaken to confirm this position. underway with a new solution that will
fund exposure to countries and support risk analysis through sub-tier
industries with a high risk of modern Supply chain risks suppliers in 2021.
slavery. They analysed more than 20 Analysis was conducted on Swinburne’s
investment strategies and determined procurement spend to determine The insights highlighted that in 2020
that no funds fell into the severe where the risks of modern slavery Swinburne procured from 451
risk quartile. Six Mercer funds were may be higher across our supply chain. suppliers (representing 13 per cent
assessed as being of high risk to of total suppliers, 5 per cent of total
modern slavery, of which Swinburne The risk assessment methodology spend) who are identified as being of
invests in three of these. Our was developed in consultation with a higher risk of modern slavery due
investment manager, on Swinburne’s ArcBlue, Pillar Two, and representatives to the type of industry, product and
behalf, has commenced and will across the university sector (further its components, and the global nature
continue to engage with these fund information on the sector collaboration of their supply chains (see Graph 2).
managers on their modern slavery- below). The methodology consists of
related activities. a high/medium/low modern slavery Key areas of the University’s spend
inherent risk level assigned on both a identified as a higher risk are listed
Modern Slavery Statement
spend category and supplier country in Table 3.
Graph 2: Summary of high-risk suppliers by spend and volume
Supplier Risk - Spend Supplier Risk - Volume
High Medium Low Unknown High Medium Low Unknown
5% 13%
13%
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14%
Swinburne University of Technology
16%
80%
58%
Table 3: High risk spend areas
Goods Services
• Desktop hardware • Commercial cleaning
• Equipment (scientific, engineering, telecommunications, AV, medical) • Construction
• IT network infrastructure • Catering
• Stationery and kitchen supplies
• L aboratory supplies
• Merchandise and apparel
• Mobile devices and accessories
Swinburne procures goods directly The industries and countries we slavery risk level for the spend area
from some overseas countries that have identified as higher risk will be and/or country.
our risk assessment identified as the subject of Swinburne’s detailed
having a higher prevalence and analysis to be conducted progressively While we continue to understand
therefore inherent risk of modern from 2021 and beyond. Many of the and address risk across our operations,
slavery (see Table 4). With a focus spend areas require an analysis of investments and research activities,
on local procurement, Swinburne’s level 2 and beyond suppliers within our supply chain emerged as our
spend with suppliers based in complex global supply chains. primary focus in this reporting
high-risk locations outside of Australia Strategic procurement projects period, given this is where risks of
are predominantly for student delivered across Swinburne in 2020 our activities being linked to modern
(international) recruitment services. considered the inherent modern slavery are more prevalent.
1. https://www.globalslaveryindex.org/
8Table 4: High-risk country supplier summary
Supplier country Number of suppliers % of total spend
India 66 0.5%
China 45 0.1%
Indonesia 13 0.1%
Pakistan 7 0.1%
Bangladesh 4 0.04%
Thailand 13 0.01%
Philippines 2 0.001%
Our actions to assess and address risks of modern slavery
Swinburne recognises its decision-making. A modern slavery have necessary processes and
responsibility to act to prevent, risk questionnaire has been developed systems in place. They also include
Swinburne University of Technology
mitigate and, where appropriate, and is now included in any strategic an obligation for suppliers to include
remedy modern slavery in our procurement (tendering) projects where similar clauses in their contracts
operations. We also accept our the risk of modern slavery exists. with suppliers, supporting our intent
obligation to work collaboratively to create positive impact through
with our direct and indirect Key tenders led by Procurement in the end-to-end supply chain beyond
suppliers to address the risks or 2019 and 2020 where the risk of our direct suppliers. These new
occurrence of modern slavery modern slavery was assessed in clauses are being embedded in
across our supply chain. In 2020, detail includes security services, relevant new supply arrangements
we undertook several actions and apparel supply, waste management and, going forward existing supplier
contributed significantly to the services and catering. To mitigate contracts will be reviewed based on
Australian Universities Procurement the risk of modern slavery in key saliency of potential risk across our
Network (AUPN) Modern Slavery service contracts, including commercial supply chain.
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Program’s sector response. cleaning, the following is undertaken
Modern Slavery Statement
by the procurement team: Supplier due diligence
Swinburne’s procurement A selection of Swinburne suppliers
• t ender evaluation requiring
policy and practices identified through the risk
suppliers to demonstrate policies,
At Swinburne we take a holistic view assessment as presenting a high
processes, and/or systems to
of value for money in our strategic inherent risk of modern slavery due
reduce the risk of modern slavery
procurement of goods and services. to the category of spend and/or
and actions to mitigate or address
This means that we balance our location were requested to respond
modern slavery risks
decisions across a wide variety of to the AUPN program’s modern
• p eriodic assessment of wages
criteria, including environmental slavery risk questionnaire. To date,
paid at market rates, including
and social factors, as well as more 12 suppliers have responded,
auditing of employee payslips
traditional criteria of quality, timeliness representing 10 per cent of
• e
xecuting contracts with obligations
and cost. We avoid setting unrealistic Swinburne’s total spend with
specific to reducing labour
delivery timeframes and we do not suppliers identified as high-risk.
exploitation and modern slavery.
drive for lowest prices, understanding Overall, the responses indicate that
the risks that this can present to many businesses are still building
Swinburne’s contract terms
labour exploitation (including modern the foundations of their programs
As a key control, Swinburne has
slavery) and other negative impacts. to address modern slavery risks.
commenced updating our standard
Most have policies and supplier
contract templates with clauses
Swinburne has embedded due code of conducts in place, but few
addressing modern slavery risk.
diligence measures in our appear to be undertaking audit
Based on the contract clause bank
procurement processes to programs or to have developed
developed by the AUPN Modern
understand the risk of modern remediation processes.
Slavery Program, these terms and
slavery across new engagements
conditions outline the supplier’s
and our existing supply base. This Further work is required to engage
obligation to investigate modern
includes updating templates to with these and other high-risk
slavery in its operations and supply
incorporate a focus on modern suppliers to assess risks and identify
chains, assess and address risks,
slavery risk in strategic procurement any remediation activities that could
take meaningful actions including
project planning, evaluation and value Swinburne’s collaboration.
due diligence and remediation, and
9Raising Swinburne’s Sustainability and Procurement is tool. Dashboards were developed to
awareness and understanding co-chair of this program. Working provide universities with a visual
of modern slavery group members contribute their representation of their supply chain
As an educational institution, time and effort on a voluntary basis, modern slavery risks and to support
Swinburne recognises the with each AUPN member university the prioritisation of initiatives for the
importance of raising awareness contributing towards the program program and individual universities.
and educating our students and through a portion of membership The aggregated data reflects the
staff on the critical human rights fees. This funding goes towards large breadth and scale of our
issue of modern slavery. engagement of specialised subject combined supply chains across the
matter expertise, as well as execution sector and the crossover of
Throughout 2020, we delivered a of specific programs. It is envisaged suppliers being used by multiple
series of presentations to the Executive that both the AUPN members and universities. Data continues to be
Group, staff and students. These their suppliers will benefit from the gathered from other universities.
provided information on the issue improved operational efficiencies of
of modern slavery and its prevalence, the collaboration and gain improved Supplier Engagement Group
the actions being undertaken by effectiveness in mitigating risk and Using the program’s risk
Swinburne to assess and address the improving social performance in assessment of sector spend,
risks, and, importantly, what individuals supply chains. suppliers were selected for a
can do in both their personal and Supplier Engagement Group based
work life to help. Staff undertaking Following a discovery phase focused on their high inherent risk rating
procurement on behalf of Swinburne on analysing sector spend data and the sector being in a position of
Modern Slavery Statement
will receive more in-depth training and identifying program priorities, influence due to size of combined
on how to assess and mitigate the program has delivered several spend. The group includes companies
modern slavery risk during 2021. key initiatives. supplying desktop hardware,
laboratory supplies, cleaning services,
Representatives across Academic Advisory Board office suppliers and construction
Procurement, Legal, Risk and An Academic Advisory Board was services. The suppliers were invited
Governance, Research and other established in July 2020 consisting to participate in two discussions
operational teams have been of 12 academics from nine during 2020 to share insights and
engaged on this issue to mobilise universities with experience and best practice, and provide feedback
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cross-university collaboration. expertise in modern slavery, aiming on the AUPN program.
Swinburne University of Technology
to enrich the sector approach.
Meetings were held monthly in 2020 All 17 suppliers from this Supplier
Collaboration as a and topics of discussion included Engagement Group were asked to
remediation approaches, complete the AUPN modern slavery
university sector questionnaire and contract clause questionnaire. To date, seven have
templates, risk assessment tools provided responses that have been
The Australian University
and statement guidance. Members published to the AUPN community
Procurement Network (AUPN), the
of the Academic Advisory Board for review.
peak body for strategic procurement
also participated in a panel
across the higher education sector
discussion at an AUPN community Templates and guidance
in Australia and New Zealand, is
virtual meeting, attended by Templates and guidance documents
taking an active approach to address
representatives from most have been developed by the program
this critical human rights issue.
Australian universities, and shared and made available to all AUPN
Recognising the opportunity for
their insights into modern slavery members, including:
universities to work together to
risks and action. • s upplier modern slavery risk
leverage buying power and resources,
questionnaire/response schedule
a modern slavery working group
Risk assessment and • m odern slavery contract clauses
was established in August 2019 to
reporting dashboard • s upplier code of conduct guidelines
find a sector-wide solution. The
A proprietary risk assessment tool • m odern slavery statement
vision is to enable a coordinated
was developed to understand the template guidance.
approach to identifying risks and
inherent risks of modern slavery
the occurrence of modern slavery
across the supply chains of an Support and guidance from
across the sector’s supply chains
individual university and the sector. external experts
and to collaborate with our suppliers
The tool’s determination of risk is In early 2019, ArcBlue, procurement
on remediation and mitigation. The
based on publicly available modern consultants with expertise in social
program aims to improve human
slavery risk information (for example, and sustainable procurement, were
rights transparency across the
Global Slavery Index) applied on a engaged to facilitate the discovery
sector’s supply chains and reduce
category and country location basis. phase and support establishment
the inefficiency of individual
Spend data from 26 Australian of the AUPN program. ArcBlue
universities taking similar actions
universities between 2018 and 2020 collaborated with the AUPN
across similar suppliers.
has been gathered, cleansed and program team to develop the risk
Swinburne’s Director of
mapped into the risk assessment assessment tool. They deliver the
10periodic spend data analysis and of this risk across AUPN member wider university sector, in addressing
reporting dashboards and manage supply chains and to act: this issue. Swinburne recognises
the online AUPN portal where that our approach to this critical
• P
illar Two were consulted to provide
program content is currently shared issue will continue to evolve over
a high-level review on the status
to member universities. time and that measuring our
of Malaysian glove manufacturing
effectiveness is essential to prioritise
and further guidance on
Modern slavery specialists Pillar Two our efforts for the periods ahead.
remediation steps and
were engaged in May 2020 following
engagement with the suppliers.
a tender process to provide modern We will measure our
• The issue was tabled with the
slavery subject matter expertise effectiveness through:
Academic Advisory Board, which
and support to the program. To • c ontribution to reviews of
provided feedback on this issue,
date, Pillar Two has provided: Swinburne’s risk assessment
emphasising the need for the
framework and processes to ensure
• a full review of the AUPN program sector to use their buying power
appropriate and up-to-date
approach and priorities – the to influence major suppliers to
consideration of human rights
review identified 25 recommendations take more action.
issues across our operations and
to enhance the sector’s approach, • Analysis was carried out on sector
supply chains
which the program is in the spend to try to understand the
• p
eriodic reviews, at least biannually,
progress of delivering scale of spend and transparency
of the risk profile of Swinburne’s
• e xpertise and support through of the supply chain to indicate
existing supplier base with attention
the program’s risk and reporting origin of manufacture.
to the progress made to reduce
solution tender process • Ten key suppliers who have been
Swinburne University of Technology
supplier risk profiles through
• a review of the AUPN’s modern identified through the analysis
action and review (for example,
slavery risk assessment tool as supplying gloves to multiple
responses to questionnaires)
• a set of recommendations on how member universities were contacted.
• p
eriodic reviews, at least biannually,
the AUPN can approach remediation. Suppliers were requested to
of the completion and effectiveness
complete the AUPN questionnaire
of actions undertaken by Swinburne
Engagement and and attend any future AUPN-led
• a nnual monitoring of progress
communications awareness sessions on modern
against Swinburne modern
The modern slavery working group slavery. Eight suppliers have
slavery key performance indicators,
has developed an engagement and responded to date.
including the number of:
communications plan to ensure the
– Swinburne staff and students
program achieves one of its aims of Further work will be undertaken
made aware of the modern
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raising awareness, educating and to address responses from the
slavery issue through
Modern Slavery Statement
seeking support for action across surveys and progress actions.
communications and training
the university sector, external
– Swinburne supplier engagement
stakeholders and suppliers. Virtual The AUPN program is using the
reviews (for example, tenders)
presentations are run frequently to learnings from this experience to
that have incorporated an
update the AUPN community on develop our approach to acting on
assessment of modern slavery
progress and invite discussion or issues of modern slavery as they are
risks in the supplier’s
feedback on key elements of the identified going forward across our
operations and supply chain
program. Representatives from our combined supply chains. Overall,
– Swinburne supplier contracts
Academic Advisory Board and Pillar responses indicate that Australian
that include modern slavery clauses
Two have been involved in some of glove distributors have moderate
– high-risk suppliers engaged
these presentations to share insights to limited visibility of their supply
in response to risk alerts or
and provide recommendations on chains and are at various levels of
undertaking proactive reviews.
effective ways to assess and address developing their policies to address
risks. Program progress updates the risks. The AUPN recognises
are published monthly via email there is a lot more to be done and
and on the AUPN community portal. will continue to develop our supplier Consultation with our
engagement approach and remediation controlled entities
Case study: processes to be more effective in
Gloves Manufacturing gaining visibility of the supply chain The activities we have undertaken
The AUPN program was made aware and leveraging the sector’s buying to date to assess and address the
of media highlighting potential human power for better outcomes. risks in the supply chain of Swinburne
rights issues with a Malaysian glove covers all controlled entities.
manufacturer. Given many universities
procure gloves to support research Measuring our effectiveness
and education activities, the FURTHER INFORMATION
program commenced a deeper The influence and purpose of a ON THE AUPN PROGRAM
review of the issue. To date, several university in society creates an https://www.hes.edu.au/australian-
steps have been undertaken to opportunity for Swinburne to take university-procurement-network
better understand the prevalence a leadership role, together with the
11FURTHER INFORMATION
1300 794 628
www.swinburne.edu.au
The information in this report was correct at the time of publishing,
June 2021. The University reserves the right to alter or amend the
material contained in this publication.
ABN: 13 628 586 699
ISSN: 1477-8242CRICOS
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