Gardening Services Victoria: Modern Slavery Statement

Gardening Services Victoria publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to affirm our firm commitment to prevent modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking across our operations and supply chain. This statement reflects our zero-tolerance approach and explains the practical steps we take to reduce risk and remediate any identified issues. Our modern slavery policy applies to all employees, contractors, suppliers and partners engaged in delivering landscaping, maintenance and groundskeeping services.

We operate with a clear zero-tolerance policy toward any form of exploitation. All staff are required to comply with our code of conduct which explicitly prohibits slave labour, bonded labour and exploitative recruitment practices. The organisation enforces strict contractual provisions that allow termination if evidence of modern slavery is confirmed. We use rigorous vetting of recruitment processes and require proof of lawful work status for all workers engaged directly or indirectly.

Risk Assessment and Mapping

Our risk assessment program identifies areas where modern slavery risks are highest, including seasonal labour, subcontracted crews, and imported materials used in landscaping projects. The assessment uses supplier questionnaires, on-site reviews and sector intelligence to prioritise actions. The company maintains a register of higher-risk suppliers and materials, and we update our risk profile annually to reflect changes in operations and external conditions.

Supplier Standards and Audits

All suppliers and subcontractors are required to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct which sets standards on working hours, wages, freedom of movement and humane treatment. We conduct routine supplier audits — ranging from self-assessment questionnaires to in-person audits — focused on compliance with anti-slavery requirements. Where gaps are found, we develop corrective action plans and monitor progress until standards are met. Persistent non-compliance can result in contract termination.

We integrate modern slavery checks into procurement decisions, tender evaluations and onboarding processes. Purchasing teams receive training on identifying red flags such as opaque payroll practices, excessive recruitment fees, or multiple layered subcontracting where accountability is diluted. Our procurement clauses require suppliers to provide transparency around their supply chains and to permit audits and information requests.

We also maintain channels for supplier engagement and capacity building, offering guidance and sharing best practices to help partners meet our expectations. These initiatives aim to strengthen supplier resilience while promoting ethical sourcing across the horticulture and landscaping industry.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing Gardening Services Victoria provides multiple secure and anonymous reporting channels for employees, contractors and third parties to raise concerns about suspected modern slavery. Reports can be made through internal hotlines, designated compliance officers and anonymous online portals. We guarantee non-retaliation for reporters and protect confidentiality to the fullest extent possible.

To support transparent outcomes, allegations are triaged by our compliance team and, where credible, investigated promptly. Investigations may involve site visits, supplier interviews and document reviews. Outcomes can include remediation plans for affected individuals, supplier contract action and referrals to appropriate authorities, while always seeking to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of potential victims.

Monitoring, Training and Annual Review We monitor the effectiveness of our anti-slavery measures through a combination of regular audit results, key performance indicators and stakeholder feedback. Staff training on modern slavery awareness is mandatory for managers and procurement staff, and refresher training is provided annually. This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least once every year and updated to reflect new legislative requirements, audit findings and improvements to our policies and procedures.