YHA Supplier Code of Conduct
1. Introduction
YHA offers affordable and sustainable accommodations across Australia, connecting travellers to unique opportunities, experiences, and a community of like-minded explorers.
We are committed to upholding ethical procurement practices that emphasise environmental and social responsibility while preventing corruption and fraud. This includes working with vendors and suppliers who share similar values and hold their own suppliers and subcontractors to the same high standards. Our goal is to minimise negative impacts and identify opportunities within our supply chain that drive positive social and environmental change.
We recognise that a strong, responsible supply chain is crucial to achieving our organisational goals. Our suppliers play a vital role in upholding YHA reputation for excellence with guests, team members, business partners, contractors, and other important stakeholders. We seek to partner with business that not only comply with all relevant laws and regulations but also actively demonstrate a commitment to ethical conduct, sustainability, and shared values.
This Supplier Code of Conduct sets out the minimum environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards of behaviour for suppliers, contractors, and their subcontractors, in addition to complying with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations in the areas where they operate. The Code will be applicable to all YHA contracts from March 1, 2025, and requires suppliers to take proactive steps to prevent and address any breaches.
YHA my take steps to assess a supplier’s adherence to these principles, standards, and guidelines. Failure to uphold these guidelines could jeopardise the business relationship.
2. Expectations
YHA is committed to the fair, transparent and equitable treatment of its suppliers/contractors and maintaining high ethical standards to support the creation of lasting relationships that share similar values.
The principles set out below establish YHA expectations of its suppliers. By supplier, YHA is referring to any entity that supplies goods or services to YHA and any of its controlled subsidiary companies.
YHA expects its suppliers to:
- Read and understand this Code.
- Ensure their business and supply chain meet the requirements of this Code.
- Comply with all laws applicable to their business.
- Adhere to the principles set out in this Code when conducting business with YHA.
- Communicate this Code to all related suppliers and subcontractors who form part of their supply chain in providing goods or services to YHA, so that they are aware of, understand and comply with this Code.
YHA’s five responsible and sustainable supply chain principles apply to all suppliers and contractors engaged to provide goods or services to YHA, irrespective of the geographical location of their operations. In case of any conflict between local laws and this Code, the higher standard should apply.
YHA may amend or update the principles from time to time to ensure they remain current and relevant.
3. Core Principles
3.1 Ethical Business Practices
YHA adheres to high ethical and legal standards and expects suppliers to conduct business in a fair, ethical, and lawful manner. This includes maintaining integrity, transparency, and compliance with laws, while fostering trust and sustainable business relationships.
- Business integrity: Business integrity: YHA expects suppliers to engage in fair play and honesty without coercion, conspiracy, bribery, corruption, or abuse of economic power. Suppliers shall forbid giving or promising anything of value to a government official, YHA team member or representative, whether to influence their official duties or to encourage unlawful conduct.
- Protection of Intellectual Property: YHA expects suppliers to safeguard YHA’s assets and reputation by never using YHA’s assets for personal gain or in a manner that could create a conflict of interest. Suppliers shall respect intellectual property rights and safeguard guest and team members information.
- Anti-Corruption: Maintain a zero-tolerance policy for bribery, corruption, and facilitation payments.
- Disclosure of Information: YHA expects suppliers to report all pertinent financial information, product details, and invoices accurately.
- Responsible Sourcing: Suppliers must understand best practices in social components of supply and implement robust auditing processes to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
3.2 Human Rights & Labour Standards
YHA is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that respects human rights and promotes mutual respect, diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for career advancement. We expect and encourage our suppliers to uphold the highest ethical standards in recruitment, employment, and human rights, in line with the principles outlined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international agreements.
- Anti-Harassment: Physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation shall be prohibited. YHA expects suppliers to provide a fair and safe workplace that is harassment-free, secure, and that creates a hospitable environment.
- Anti-Discrimination: There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation.
- Prevention of Forced Labour: There is no forced, bonded, or involuntary prison labour. Workers are not required to deposit personal items, such as identity papers, with their employer and are free to leave their employment after providing reasonable notice.
- Child labour shall not be used: YHA expects suppliers to adhere to minimum age provisions of applicable laws and employ only workers who are of the applicable minimum age for employment or the applicable age for completion of compulsory education, whichever is the highest.
- Fair Wages & Benefits: Wages and benefits must meet or exceed national legal or industry standards, ensuring they cover basic needs and provide some discretionary income. Workers should receive clear, written information about their employment conditions and wages before starting the job and each pay period. Deductions from wages as disciplinary measures are not allowed, nor any deductions not required by law, unless the worker agrees. All disciplinary measures should be documented.
- Freedom of Association: Workers have the right to join or form trade unions and engage in collective bargaining, without discrimination. Employers should be open to trade union activities and organisational efforts. Worker representatives must not face discrimination and should have the opportunity to perform their duties in the workplace. If laws restrict freedom of association and bargaining, employers should facilitate alternative means for independent and free association and bargaining.
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic: A safe and hygienic working environment must be provided, addressing industry hazards and minimising risks to health and accidents. Workers should receive regular, recorded health and safety training, including for new or reassigned employees. Clean toilet facilities, potable water, and food storage amenities must be accessible. Accommodation, when provided, should be clean, safe, and meet workers' basic needs. A senior management representative should be responsible for overseeing health and safety measures.
3.3 Environmental Responsibility
Suppliers are expected to adopt environmentally friendly practices, such as waste management, recycling, and energy conservation, and work to reduce the negative environmental impact of their operations.
- Resource Efficiency: Utilise resources efficiently and promote the use of renewable and sustainable materials.
- Climate Action: Contribute to climate change mitigation efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Waste Management: YHA expects suppliers to safely and responsibly manage and minimise waste, inclusive of universal, hazardous and e-waste, packaging materials, single-use plastics, and wastewater, by implementing prevention, recycling, re-use, and other waste reduction processes.
3.4 Supply Chain Responsibility
- Due Diligence: YHA expects suppliers to conduct due diligence on their own supply chains to ensure compliance with this Code of Conduct.
- Compliance: Communicate this COde of Cinduct to all their subcontractors and ensure their compliance.
- Risk Management: YHA expects suppliers to cooperate in addressing any identified risks or non-compliance issues.
4. Monitoring and Enforcement
Suppliers should also take appropriate steps to ensure that the principles of this Code are adopted and applied by their team members, suppliers, contractors, subcontractors, and representatives to the extent applicable.
Suppliers must monitor compliance with this Code and notify us as soon as reasonably practicable of any actual or suspected breach. Suppliers must take prompt and reasonable steps to address, remedy and prevent of any breach.
We reserve the right to monitor supplier compliance through a variety of methods, including:
- Audits and inspections
- Performance evaluations
Non-compliance with this Code of Conduct may result in:
- Corrective action plans
- Suspension of business relationships
- Termination of business relationship
Published 1st March 2025
