Have your say: draft Secure Australian Jobs Framework
Following consultation in early 2026 on the broad parameters of the Secure Jobs Framework, the Australian Government is now seeking feedback on the draft Secure Australian Jobs Framework (Secure Jobs Framework) and proposed amendments to the Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct (Supplier Code).
About the draft Secure Australian Jobs Framework
The draft Secure Jobs Framework outlines a transparent, principles-based framework to deliver value for money and quality outcomes for taxpayers, while supporting productivity, by prioritising suppliers that invest in skills, workforce stability and good workplace practices.
The draft Secure Jobs Framework covers five principles:
secure work
fair wages and conditions
safe and healthy workplaces
gender equality and diversity
support for local jobs, skills and industry capability.
The draft Secure Jobs Framework includes indicators of good practice to help businesses understand the government's expectations and how they can demonstrate the principles in practice. It will be implemented in the Commonwealth procurement framework through amendments to the Supplier Code and will operate alongside existing elements of the framework, including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.
The government is also considering how the draft Secure Jobs Framework principles could apply in other taxpayer funded financial frameworks over time.
About the Supplier Code of Conduct
The Supplier Code outlines the Commonwealth’s minimum expectations of suppliers and their subcontractors while under contract with the Commonwealth.
Further information about the Supplier Code can be found on the Department of Finance’s website: https://www.finance.gov.au/government/procurement/ethical-conduct-suppliers/commonwealth-supplier-code-conduct-overview
Proposed amendments to the Supplier Code will incorporate the principles and indicators of good practice of the draft Secure Jobs Framework into the Supplier Code, with some principles and indicators directly embedded.
What is being consulted on?
Stakeholder feedback will inform the approach to the Secure Jobs Framework principles and expectations and ensure it is practical and workable across different industries, taking into account the scale, scope, complexity, and risk of the procurement.
Enterprise agreements
The government recognises enterprise agreements that are negotiated in good faith and genuinely agreed as an important indicator of good jobs which support fair wages and conditions, secure work and productive workplaces.
The draft Secure Jobs Framework does not require businesses to have an enterprise agreement to tender for Commonwealth work. It sets out principle-based expectations, supported by indicators of good practice. Businesses without enterprise agreements can still demonstrate good practice through other indicators, including independent benchmarking and transparent mechanisms for good conditions.
A value for money assessment will remain front and centre of all government spending decisions.
Impacts on businesses
The draft Secure Jobs Framework is a transparent principles-based framework that provides flexibility for businesses across different industries, sizes and contract types. This includes practical and proportionate indicators of good practice, some of which reflect existing legislative requirements and employer obligations.
The department will undertake an impact analysis. We invite stakeholder views through this consultation on implementation of the draft Secure Jobs Framework to help identify any potential unintended impacts, including for small businesses and First Nations suppliers.
Impacts on productivity
Secure employment and strong productivity outcomes go hand in hand. Businesses that invest in skills development, workforce stability and effective workplace practices are more likely to deliver high-quality outcomes for taxpayers.
Interaction with potential construction standards
The Secure Jobs Framework is not intended to apply in the construction industry. Consultation is underway on separate standards for the construction industry to support quality, productivity, lawful behaviour, and safe, secure, well-paid jobs.[1]
Due to systemic and embedded cultural issues in the building and construction industry, government has determined that a sector-specific approach is warranted. Feedback from consultation will inform consideration of how the Secure Jobs Framework, Supplier Code, and any future construction standards interact.
Visit https://consultations.dewr.gov.au/potential-commonwealth-standards-for-the-construction-industry for further information on the potential construction standards.
Make a submission
Submissions close at 11:59 pm AEDST, 19 October 2026.
[Make a submission]
If you have any questions, please email securejobsframework@dewr.gov.au
Privacy and publication of submissions
We retain discretion about publishing and sharing submissions. We may also redact parts of published submissions if appropriate. If you do not want to have your submission published, please indicate this when making your submission.
Please note that legal requirements, such as those imposed by the Freedom of Information Act 1982, may affect the confidentiality of your submission.
[1] The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Proposed new federal standards to clean-up construction industry [media release], Ministers’ Media Centre, Australian Government, 1 May 2026.
