Why Addressing Modern Slavery Matters for Schools
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Modern slavery is not an issue that is always confined to distant industries or only global supply chains. Increasingly, it is a risk embedded in the everyday goods and services that schools rely on to educate students and operate effectively. From uniforms and technology to cleaning and catering, the potential for serious exploitation is closer to home than many assume.

For schools, recognising and addressing these risks is about more than compliance. It goes to the heart of ethical leadership, safeguarding community trust, and living up to the values that underpin education itself. Parents, staff, and communities are increasingly requiring transparency, and procurement decisions are often facing scrutiny.

Schools that begin taking practical steps now will not only be better placed for compliance, but will also demonstrate a proactive commitment to protecting human rights within their supply chains.
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Key modern slavery risks in school supply chains
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While every school is different, certain procurement categories present elevated exposure to modern slavery risks:

• ICT equipment: The global electronics sector is associated with forced labour risks, particularly in the mining and manufacturing of components.
  
  
• School uniforms and textiles: Garments are a well-documented high-risk sector, linked to child labour and unsafe factory conditions.
  
  
• Cleaning services: Outsourced contracts and subcontracting layers can obscure exploitative labour practices, including wage theft and visa coercion.
  
  
• Construction projects: Building and maintenance contracts may involve high-risk suppliers or subcontractors in Australia and abroad.
  
  
• Canteen and catering services: Agricultural and food supply chains (including seafood and fresh produce) are recognised hotspots for forced labour and debt bondage.
  
  

These areas represent both: 

• Direct exposure to modern slavery risks through local contractors and service providers
• Indirect exposure through global commodity and manufacturing supply chains.
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Practical steps schools can take to address modern slavery
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Schools can take meaningful, proportionate steps to identify, assess, and address modern slavery risks, even if they are not reporting entities under the Act. 

A practical framework for schools for addressing modern slavery risk involves four core pillars:

1. Risk identification
   
   • Map suppliers and service providers beyond the first tier.
   • Assess whether industries, geographies, or labour forces present elevated risks.
     
     
2. Due Diligence
   
   • Take proactive steps to mitigate identified risks.
   • Focus on the welfare of vulnerable workers, not only reputational considerations.
     
     
3. Policy and Governance
   
   • Develop and publish a modern slavery policy aligned with the school’s mission and values.
   • Embed modern slavery clauses into supplier contracts.
   • Assign responsibility for oversight to a specific staff member.
     
     
4. Training and Awareness
   
   • Provide training to leadership, procurement staff, and facilities teams.
   • Include modern slavery awareness in onboarding and refresh training regularly.

By embedding these practices, schools can ensure that modern slavery considerations are part of everyday decision-making, not just compliance exercises.
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How Fair Supply supports schools in building a modern slavery response framework
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Fair Supply supports schools with data driven tools, tailored frameworks, and training to identify and mitigate modern slavery risks. 

Addressing modern slavery in school operations is both a values-driven responsibility and a practical necessity for future compliance. Schools that act now demonstrate leadership, strengthen community trust, and build resilience against emerging regulatory expectations.

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To learn how we can help your school take the next step in strengthening your modern slavery response, contact our team today.