Social and Sustainable Procurement

Diversity and inclusion in the Supply Chain

The University of Melbourne’s enduring commitment to public contribution has seen its engagement with society evolve over the generations. Since its founding in 1853, the University has held engagement as central to its values and purpose, ensuring that its ethos as a public spirited institution finds expression through all of its endeavors. The University makes distinctive contributions to society in research, learning and teaching and engagement with a strong focus on Diversity and Inclusion Strategy both internally for staff and students, but also extending to the supply chain.

Diversity and inclusion in the supply chain is the process of generating positive and sustainable outcomes through the responsible delivery of goods, services and works with social and Indigenous suppliers (often referred to as social srocurement). It is a key tool to generate wider social, sustainable and responsible benefits by providing a mechanism for linking and integrating social and economic agendas which include positive social and/or environmental impacts. The University is signed up to Supply Nation and Social Traders, demonstrating our commitment in this space.

Our framework, outlined in the table below, sets out the University’s diversity and inclusion in supply chain objectives.

Social and sustainable procurement objectives*2	Outcomes sought
Opportunities for Aboriginal people (direct and indirect)	Procuring goods and/or services from Aboriginal businesses Employment of Aboriginal people by suppliers Delivery against RAP3 targets.
Sustainable social enterprise and Aboriginal business sectors	Procuring goods and/or services from social enterprises and Aboriginal businesses
Diversity and inclusion	Adoption of family violence leave by suppliers Gender equality within the supply chain (Board membership etc.).
Environmentally sustainable outputs	Focus on local sourcing (within a 25-50Km radius) Project-specific requirements to use sustainable resources where applicable to manage recycled content, sustainable materials, waste management and energy consumption.
Opportunities for people with disability	Procuring goods and/or services from social enterprises and Australian Disability Enterprises Employment of people with disability by suppliers.
Supporting safe and fair workplaces	Procuring goods and/or services from suppliers that comply with industrial relations laws and promote secure employment.