If a business that manufactures fashion or clothing products in Australia wants to become Accredited to the HWCP, it must liaise with the HWCP Project Officer to prepare an application to be considered by the HWCP Committee. If a company manufacturers some of its products overseas, it can still be Accredited for the garments it produces in Australia.

An application to become an Accredited manufacturer basically comprises four key elements:

  • Information that effectively acts as a ‘map’ of a company’s production chain
  • A series of contracts between suppliers agreeing to abide by regulations set out in the Code
  • Information about the garments being produced, and
  • Documentation demonstrating appropriate wage and superannuation payments etc.

An Accreditation Application Form and other supporting information can be downloaded on the Resources page.

As outlined in the Application Form, companies wanting to become Accredited will be required to provide records demonstrating that they and their suppliers or contractors are complying with the following:

  • That any homeworkers in the production chain are paid the correct Award rate including the sewing time for each garment
  • That no homeworkers work less than 30 hours or more than 76 hours per fortnight or are paid the overtime rate for time in excess of 76 hours
  • That homeworkers are covered by workers’ compensation
  • That superannuation contributions are being paid to homeworkers
  • That if work is no longer available, homeworkers are given appropriate payment and written notice of their termination
  • That a pro-forma letter from the TCFUA is provided to homeworkers
  • That all details of the supply chain are provided, including statutory declarations and standard contracts from every supplier.
  • That lists of suppliers and work records maintained for the work that they subcontract are also provided
  • That the company maintain lists of contractors and homeworkers and provide these lists to the TCFUA and check on their contractors to require them to comply with the same criteria.

Accredited companies are required to keep a check on their contractors and require them to comply with the same criteria. Companies will risk losing Accreditation and contracts with retailers if their contractors fail to pay homeworkers correctly or do not comply with the Code.