A Guide to Ethical Procurement: School Uniforms

With only 3% of clothing items worn in Australia actually made here, the number when it comes to local and ethical production is far lower. When it comes to school uniforms, the majority of products are manufactured offshore under conditions that are incredibly difficult to verify.

For schools, this raises important questions:

• Were the workers paid a living wage?
• Were they treated with respect?
• Are their work conditions safe and clean?
• Were these uniforms made with child labour?
• Do workers have the right to organise?

Cheap offshore production is often underpinned by exploitative labour conditions which has led to enormous pressure on Australian manufacturers who have made a commitment to ethical production. School uniforms are an essential and recurring expense for parents, but also a huge opportunity for schools to back Australian manufacturing and support local workers.

As a key decision maker, you have the power to influence where your school uniforms are made. By supporting Ethical Clothing Australia accredited businesses, you’re backing Australian workers, their families, and the future of the textile, clothing, and footwear (TCF) industry. Now that’s school pride.

What is Ethical Procurement?

Ethical procurement means considering the people, processes and working conditions behind the products you buy.

For schools, it is about more than compliance. It is about making informed purchasing decisions that reflect your school’s values and help create a more transparent, responsible and resilient local industry.

By sourcing from accredited businesses, schools can:

• Buy what they need instead of purchasing large quantities
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to ethical procurement practices
• Protect human rights and ensure lawful pay and conditions
• Minimise legal and reputational risks
• Support local innovation and skill development
• Shorten and strengthen supply chains

In turn, this increases trust among parents and pride in students, reflecting the school’s values and commitment to responsible practices. In addition, it positively contributes to the Australian economy and creates meaningful employment for skilled Australian workers.

Find out more about the benefits of local procurement here

What can your school do?

Start the conversation with your current supplier and ask whether your uniforms are made by Ethical Clothing Australia accredited businesses. If the answer is no, ask:

• Where are the uniforms made?
• What steps are taken to verify working conditions?
• How does the supplier ensure workers are receiving their lawful entitlements?
• Are any parts of the supply chain based in Australia?
• Would they consider working with an Ethical Clothing Australia accredited manufacturer?

These questions can help your school better understand the risks, responsibilities, and opportunities within its current supply chain.

Find an ethical uniform manufacturer

Ethical Clothing Australia’s manufacturing directory can help schools connect with accredited businesses that make uniforms, sportswear and merchandise locally.

Each accredited business has participated in Ethical Clothing Australia’s accreditation process, which includes third-party compliance checks to help ensure that workers in their Australian supply chain are receiving their lawful entitlements.

Visit our manufacturing directory here.

Make local, ethical procurement your school’s policy

Long-term change happens when schools embed ethical procurement into their policies and purchasing decisions.

Your school can prioritise locally made garments from Ethical Clothing Australia accredited businesses and make responsible sourcing part of future uniform tenders, supplier reviews and procurement frameworks.

For more information or assistance with developing a procurement policy for your school, contact our team here.

What are the benefits of sourcing from accredited businesses?

When you choose to procure from accredited businesses, you can be confident that your school uniforms are made under fair, safe, and legal working conditions.

Most importantly, you’re supporting the skilled workers who made these garments.

Working with accredited local manufacturers may also offer practical benefits for schools, including:

• More transparent supply chains
• Direct communication with local suppliers
• Faster responses to issues, repairs or product updates
• Opportunities for durable, high-quality garments
• Support for Australian jobs, skills and manufacturing capability

For schools, this means procurement decisions can deliver outcomes beyond the uniform itself. They can support workers, reflect community values and help build a stronger local industry.

Connect with an ethical manufacturer today

We’re proud to support a number of Ethical Clothing Australia-accredited businesses that specialise in manufacturing school uniforms, sportswear, and university merchandise.

Explore our manufacturing directory here or contact us to learn more about sourcing uniforms from accredited local businesses.