Procurement for impact, value and purpose
Griffith University spends more than $244 million a year on a range of goods and services to support the delivery of education and research across our five campuses and beyond. We consider the economic, environmental and social impacts of our actions and ensure that all procurement activities align with our core principles and values.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to promoting decent work and economic growth, advancing the principles of responsible and sustainable consumption and production, and advocating for peace, justice, and resilient institutional frameworks.
Provide full, fair, and reasonable opportunity for Queensland suppliers including local and social benefit suppliers.
Contribute to the delivery of relevant Queensland Government targets and commitments.
Embed disability accessibility and inclusion requirements in our sourcing documentation and contracts.
Support inclusive and sustainable economic growth through fair and productive employment and decent work opportunities for all.
Promote social justice by tackling modern slavery in our operations and supply chains.
Economic, environmental and social objectives
At Griffith, we ensure that our procurement aligns with key global and Australian legislation, standards, principles and policy such as:
- United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
- Modern Slavery Act 2018
- Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- Queensland Government Ethical Supplier Threshold and Mandate
Our Supplier Code of Conduct
Our ethical, social and environmental expectations for suppliers are articulated in Griffith’s Supplier Code of Conduct (the Code), which is aligned with the Queensland Government Supplier Code of Conduct. Our Code is grounded in our values, as well as global and Australian legislation, standards, principles and policy. All suppliers are required to take reasonable steps to comply with Code.
Learn more about how to demonstrate your ability to meet economic, environmental or social commitments when submitting a quote or tender response.
Griffith has a zero-tolerance approach to slavery, exploitation and human trafficking in all its forms.
We are committed to eradicating modern slavery from our operations and supply chains through collaboration, capability building and continuous improvement. We have developed a framework of policies, procedures and standards that guide us in the way we identify and address modern slavery risks, including due diligence and remediation processes, in our operations and supply chains.
We use the online, third-party platform Informed 365 to gain transparency in our supply chains. This platform also facilitates closer collaboration with our suppliers, helping them to deliver better results for their own supply chains and the people in their operations. We also strive to support our suppliers as they advance their performance, leveraging internal expertise and that of external advisors, such as the Mekong Club.
All Griffith suppliers are required to register on Informed 365 and complete an initial modern slavery questionnaire. Aspiring suppliers will follow the link included in Griffith sourcing documents (e.g. tender documents), while existing suppliers will receive an invitation from Informed 365 to complete the assessment. Upon completion, each supplier will be assigned a risk rating that will trigger specific actions aimed to enhance, with our support, their approach to modern slavery.
Griffith is committed to Reconciliation, embracing diversity and inclusion and recognising the potential and value of including First Peoples businesses in our supply chain. We recognise that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses are significantly more likely to employ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, relative to non-Indigenous businesses.
We acknowledge that growing First Peoples businesses is a viable pathway to create employment and increase the economic participation of Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. We welcome and align with the values and targets of the Queensland Indigenous Procurement Policy and are committed to contributing to the delivery of the Queensland Government’s target to increase the value of contracts with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses. As part of this commitment, we ensure that our procurement and supply practices, strategies and plans provide Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses full, fair and reasonable opportunity to successfully bid for our contracts.
We are a member of Supply Nation and currently use both Supply Nation and Black Business Finder directories to search for verified First Peoples businesses. If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business, you may wish to consider registering.
We are a values-led University with the overarching ambition to create a better future for all. An expression of this ambition is our commitment to supporting and including local businesses and social enterprises in our supply chains, recognising the value they can bring to Griffith and the community at large.
We work with Social Traders and the Queensland Government to enhance our ability to provide access to market to those enterprises and, together, build a lasting legacy for societal change.
Putting Queenslanders first
We are committed to contributing to the delivery of the Queensland government’s economic targets and commitments, as outlined in the Queensland Procurement Policy. This includes seeking opportunities to source goods and services from Queensland-based suppliers.
Griffith is a longstanding leader in climate research and action. Our world-class researchers work in collaboration with industry, government and the community to tackle global challenges.
The University’s commitment to the United Nation’s Global Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a reflection of our core values. Our procurement practices and outcomes are informed by our belief in investing in First Peoples, diversity and inclusion, and social justice for a better world—now and in the future.
We are also actively contributing to the delivery of the Queensland Government’s environmental targets and commitments. Achieving those goals is a collective effort, and we expect all of our suppliers to have processes in place to reduce environmental impact and improve sustainability, while complying with all applicable laws and regulations relating to the environment.
Griffith is committed to creating a safe and healthy workplace for our community, students, staff, contractors and suppliers, and we expect our suppliers to demonstrate the same commitment.
When doing business with us, contractors and suppliers should comply with our work health safety management system. This encompasses aspects relating to physical and psychological wellbeing, eliminating work-related injury, support, rehabilitation and responsibilities around safety and risk reporting.
When engaging with us under a contract, agreement or other documented work arrangement, we will work together with you to fulfil all work health and safety obligations. To do this, we ask you agree to comply with all obligations under Australian work heath and safety legislation and any/all other specific requirements, and supply goods to a minimum standard.
All requirements surrounding creating a safe and healthy workplace are detailed further in the Supplier Code of Conduct.
What we buy
Like many Australian universities, Griffith University’s supply chains are varied, covering several spend categories such as:
- Corporate professional services
- Construction, refurbishment and works
- Buildings and grounds
- Laboratories and research
- Student services
- IT software
- Marketing and media
- Human resources
- Library services
- Utilities and renewables
- IT hardware
- Travel and entertainment
- IT professional services
- Office related supplies and services
- Telecommunications
- Audio visual
- Plant and equipment
- Logistics and storage
- Lecturer and teaching expenses
- Property management
Engaging with Griffith
All suppliers must meet the requirements of the Ethical Supplier Threshold and comply with the Supplier Code of Conduct.
All suppliers must demonstrate compliance with appropriate legislation and standards (Australian or global). Depending on your industry, you may also need to demonstrate that you have the:
- required qualifications and permits in place
- relevant technical capabilities and experience
- capacity to perform contractual obligations.
You will also need to:
- demonstrate compliance with work health and safety legislation, your ability to meet Griffith work health and safety requirements and any specifications/scope of works and contract conditions that we supply to you as part of our procurement and supply processes.
- demonstrate financial stability and have in place appropriate levels of insurance
- collaborate with the university to end modern slavery across supply chains
- agree to supply goods and services in accordance with Griffith’s Contract Conditions; where a contract has not been established, our purchase order terms and conditions shall apply.
Specific requirements will be outlined in the relevant documents inviting you to submit an offer.
Griffith is committed to respecting human rights, and has a zero-tolerance approach to slavery, exploitation, and human trafficking in all its forms. As part of our commitment to combating modern slavery in our operations and supply chain, we have developed a modern slavery suppliers assessment and risk management procedure.
Read our Modern Slavery policy
Demonstrate ability to meet economic, environmental or social commitments
Griffith actively contributes to the delivery of relevant Queensland Government targets and commitments, as outlined in the Queensland Procurement Policy. When responding to quotes and tenders, you may be asked to meet relevant economic, environment or social commitments from this policy.
When you complete your quote or tender response:
- ensure sure you include what you're already doing or what you can commit to
- outline planes in your tender response if you choose to commit to an initiative
- have evidence of your current or planned contribution, as we may request it.
Griffith has aligned this information with supplier economic targets and commitments provided by the Queensland Government.
When procuring goods and services, Griffith may prioritise companies that are local, employ locals, have a local factory or office, or buy Queensland goods and services.
Therefore, you may need to meet economic requirements in your quote or tender response.
Consider these questions when demonstrating how your company's work is good for the local economy:
- Are you a local supplier?
- Do you engage local employees?
- Do you employ local apprentices or trainees?
- Do you use local businesses or contractors?
- Do you use local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander businesses?
- Do you have a back to work program to assist long-term unemployed and youth unemployment?
When procuring goods and services, Griffith may prioritise the positive impact a company is having on the environment, as well as the product or service they provide. Therefore, you may need to meet environmental requirements in your quote or tender response.
Consider how you can demonstrate your company’s environmental responsibility through actions such as:
- recycling
- reducing waste
- reducing plastic use
- reducing hazardous and toxic substances use and ensuring their correct disposal
- using solar power or other renewable energy sources
- using water-saving taps
- using energy-efficient light bulbs
- having measures to reduce energy, water and waste bills.
When procuring goods and services, Griffith may prioritise companies that make a difference, such as:
- buying from social enterprises that support people facing disadvantage
- having policies that support staff affected by domestic and family violence.
Therefore, you may need to meet social requirements in your quote or tender response.
Consider these questions when demonstrating your company's social contribution. Does your business:
- buy goods and services from social enterprises that provide jobs for people facing disadvantage?
- have a domestic violence policy or processes in place?
- comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992?
- demonstrate commitment to fighting modern slavery from its operations and supply chains?
Register as a vendor
Griffith University contracts new vendors to strategically deliver and maintain ongoing improvements. This ensures that we can always provide valuable services and management.
Our approach to the market
Griffith contracts are usually advertised through a sourcing process reflective of the value and risk the opportunity presents.
As part of our planning process, we will determine the most appropriate strategy to approach the market, which considers factors such as our business requirements and market capability. We may use one of these methods:
- Limited offer method—Griffith invites a supplier/s of its choice to submit an offer.
- Selective offer method—where suppliers that have met pre-established criteria are invited to submit an offer.
- Open offer method—all interested suppliers may submit an offer in response to an advertisement placed by Griffith in QTenders.
We may also elect to source from existing contracts or panel arrangements established by Griffith, the Queensland Government, other government agencies, University Procurement Hub, CAUDIT and other contracts/panel arrangements available to Griffith such as LocalBuy.
You can look for upcoming procurement opportunities or register as a supplier to be notified about future tender opportunities:
- Queensland Government’s QTenders
- Griffith University’s Vendor Panel
Our contract conditions
Griffith uses a range of contract conditions to establish the terms and conditions on which Griffith will contract with an organisation. Examples include:
- General goods and services
- ICT products and service
- Queensland Information Technology Contract (QITC) Framework
- Building, Construction and Maintenance
- Contract conditions typically aligned with QBuild
- Bespoke contract conditions may be used as and when necessary
Suppliers will be notified of which contracts conditions are applicable when invited to submit a quote or tender response. Where a contract has not been established, our purchase order terms and conditions shall apply.
Procurement process complaints
Suppliers have the right to make a complaint about any University procurement process.
Invoicing Griffith
Invoices need to be compliant with tax legislation and include:
- a statement that it is a Tax Invoice.
- ABN number (if registered).
- current Griffith University purchase order number; without this reference, payment may be delayed.
- description of the goods/services provided.
- bank account details.
All invoices should be emailed to fin-billto@griffith.edu.au
Please ensure invoices are in PDF format, and each attachment contains one invoice only (under 5mb).
Payment Run Schedule
Griffith University payments are typically released weekly.
Payment Terms
Our standard payment terms are thirty days from the date of invoice, unless other payment terms are dictated by legislation or executed contract.