Make the Switch: A Guide to Ethical School Uniforms
Do you work within Australia’s school system as an administrator?
If so, have you thought about who made your school uniforms? Were they made locally and ethically? Were the workers who made the uniforms respected, protected, and paid fairly? Are they accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia?
There’s more to school uniforms than meets the eye. Not just everyday clothing for students, uniforms foster a sense of belonging and pride, and in turn, strengthens community through a shared identity.
By choosing to procure with an ethically accredited business, you aren’t just making a commitment to Australian made, but you’re also setting an example for your students to think about who made their school uniforms and in what conditions.
Find out why local and ethical manufacturing matters when it comes to school uniforms, and how you can make the switch today.
What does it mean to be accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia?
When a business is accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia, it demonstrates that their local supply chain is compliant, ethical, and transparent from design to dispatch. This means that the business protects the rights of the people who make their products, no matter where they work in the local supply chain.
“Being accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia is a great achievement for Otele. It assures our staff and customers that we are not only legally compliant, but also genuinely committed to upholding ethical practices across every stage of our production — from fair wages and safe working conditions to transparent supply chains and responsible sourcing.” – Sandra Hochuli, Director at Otele Manufacturing
What are the benefits of choosing locally and ethically made school uniforms?
There are countless benefits when you choose locally and ethically made school uniforms. Not only are you keeping skills and jobs within Australia, but most importantly, you’re supporting the skilled workers who made these garments – from blazers to shirts, neckties, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, and even value-adding services such as embroidery.
When you choose to procure school uniforms made by an accredited business, you’re also showcasing your values, instilling a sense of pride within students, knowing that the garments they’re wearing were made with skill, pride, and ethics top of mind.
“You get better quality, faster turnaround, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your uniforms are made by happy staff under fair conditions right here in South Australia. Plus, because we make them ourselves, we can handle fixes or alterations quickly, so those last-minute changes aren’t a big drama.” – Erin Donald, Manager at Rembrandt Imagewear
“Working with local manufacturers also means better communication and quicker service… Issues can be identified and resolved more quickly, reducing defective and inconsistent items. We can also provide services to the schools that offshore suppliers usually cannot, such as embroidery for special achievements and alterations for second hand uniforms or accidental damage.” – Sandra Hochuli, Director at Otele Manufacturing
How do I find an ethical manufacturer?
At Ethical Clothing Australia, we’ve made it easy to find an ethical manufacturer. Take a look at our directory and find out more about the manufacturers specialising in uniforms here.
If you’d like to take next step and switch to ethical school uniforms in 2026, contact our team at info@ethicalclothingaustralia.org.au.
Are you a business interested in procurement opportunities? Head to our information page here.
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Ethical Clothing Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout the lands now known as Australia and recognise and celebrate their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples today.We are a place free from discrimination, where diversity is celebrated and everyone belongs. We are committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all.