We are The Benevolent Society
The Benevolent Society’s vision is for a just society where all Australians can live their best life. We are Australia’s oldest charity, providing a range of services across New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia from 72 office sites situated in urban and rural geographical locations. We are a not-for-profit and non-religious organisation that has assisted people, families and communities to achieve positive change since 1813.
Creating a just society means advocating for fundamental changes that provide new solutions to social challenges for those Australians who experience entrenched is advantage. As part of this vision, The Benevolent Society is strongly committed to reconciliation with our First Australians.
Our work is underpinned by the following organisational values:
- Optimism – We are hopeful that even the most complex social issues can be solved and we work towards the best possible results for clients
- Integrity – We are ethical, trustworthy and responsible. Those who come into contact with The Benevolent Society will experience us as open, just and reliable
- Respect – We show regard and appreciation for all people from all walks of life and honour human difference and diversity
- Collaboration –We work jointly with others; we believe that together we can tackle the things that prevent communities and society from being caring and just
- Effectiveness – We are focussed on, and accountable for, performance and outcomes. Our efforts are directed at reaching and fulfilling our organisation’s vision of a just society where all Australians can live their best life.
These Core Values and our Best Practice Frameworks are designed for developing, maintaining and reviewing the relationships that guide the services we deliver. We believe that this approach aligns with our vision for reconciliation.
Acknowledgment
The Benevolent Society acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander continued connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging on the lands on which we work and live.
Our Procurement & Supply Chain Policy
Procurement Policy
The Benevolent Society (TBS) fully embraces our diverse workforce, our clients and communities. We also extend a helping hand in the commercial market to show our respect and support to minority groups and local and regional suppliers. Our goal is to develop meaningful opportunities to help diverse suppliers grow, build capacity and develop into successful commercial businesses.
The purpose of our Procurement Policy is to ensure that we proactively provide procurement opportunities for the inclusion, economic growth, and advancement of diverse suppliers to create positive social impact in the communities we serve across Australia.
Supporting Local and Regional Suppliers
The Benevolent Society is committed to supporting local communities in which we work and live. Local and regional suppliers are included in quotes and tender activity wherever practical.
Who are diverse and minority suppliers?
For the purposes of our internal policy, a diverse supplier or a minority group is defined as: businesses owned by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples; LGBTQI+ groups; women, veterans, people with a disability; small-medium-enterprises; and any other group in society which may be underrepresented.
How will we achieve this purpose?
In accordance with our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), The Benevolent Society embraces our diverse workforce, our communities and clients. We extend a helping hand in the commercial market and show our support specifically to Aboriginal owned businesses so that they may grow and develop into successful commercial businesses.
- We will provide opportunities for all diverse suppliers and minority groups to participate in our procurement tendering and quoting processes.
- We will proactively seek out diverse suppliers and minority groups to create meaningful long-term business partnerships.
- We will leverage our corporate relationships to encourage the inclusion of diverse suppliers and minority groups in all major national contracts, providing tiering opportunities whenever possible.
Supply Nation Membership
The Benevolent Society is a proud member of Supply Nation, Australia’s first and leading advocate of Indigenous businesses in the supplier diversity space.
Supply Nation’s verification process ensures that all businesses listed on Indigenous Business Direct are not only Indigenous owned but are regularly audited for changes in company structure.
Download Our Membership Certificate 2021 - 2022
Reconciliation Action Plan
Focus Area: Opportunities
The Benevolent Society's Vision for Reconciliation remains a vision of a strong and inclusive Australian society based on equality that advances the economic, political and social inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve parity in life outcomes.
Our second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) builds on our vision and commitments to reconciliation as a key part of The Benevolent Society's social impact agenda. We are actively seeking to partner in social and business innovation to improve and provide high quality, effective and culturally capable and appropriate opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our approach to increasing supplier diversity with First Nations suppliers reinforces our commitment to reconciliation through direct action.
We will investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity within our organisation.
How will we achieve this goal?
- We have reviewed and updated procurement policies and procedures to ensure there are no barriers for procuring goods and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
- We seek opportunities to advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination with communities, businesses and organisations.
- We have developed and communicated to staff a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses that can be used to procure goods and services.
- We will continue to develop commercial relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.
- We are proud members of Supply Nation.
We continuously monitor each year our progress through regular analysis of our expenditure; preferred supplier panels and contracts; and the effectiveness of these relationships within our organisation and in the community.
Supply Chain Governance
Focus on ethical trading and modern slavery (and generally, human rights) is not only increasing from a regulatory perspective but is just as important to the ethos of The Benevolent Society as an organisation. To that end, we expect our suppliers to share those values and work cooperatively to end this scourge.
We have introduced a new organisation wide procurement policy on engagement of approved suppliers. It sets out the framework, which amongst others, requires appropriate due-diligence of prospective suppliers in the areas of ethical trading and modern slavery.
Factors assessed include whether a supplier sources overseas manufactured products, their commitment to identifying and disclosing modern slavery risks in their business, corporate social responsibility and overall business practices. This maintains visibility and drives consistency across our suppliers.
We have reported on our current practices and stated objectives in our latest Modern Slavery Statement, which can be viewed here.
Suppliers of high and medium risk products and services are contractually required to confirm compliance to The Benevolent Society's Modern Slavery requirements, which include:
- Taking reasonable steps to ensure the supplier, and their downstream suppliers and contractors, do not knowingly engage in acts of modern slavery;
- Follow reasonable directions and assist The Benevolent Society in complying with its requirements under the modern slavery laws; and
- To the extent applicable to the supplier, comply with their requirements under the modern slavery laws.
We will also periodically engage in audits and reviews of our existing arrangements with suppliers, including on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) sustainability matters.
Environmental Sustainability
The Benevolent Society is committed to building a sustainable future for the communities we serve and to conduct our affairs and services with the highest standards of personal and corporate integrity. That it is why we have taken an organisation-wide strategic approach to environmental management.
The Benevolent Society prefers to only conduct business with:
a) environmentally responsible suppliers; and
b) ethically responsible suppliers, in the context of human rights and modern slavery practices.
At a minimum, this means doing business with suppliers who comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations (national, regional and local) and have the ability to remediate any environmental problems that the supplier may cause.
Contact Us
Our Director Procurement Property and Fleet welcomes enquiries from suppliers wishing to partner with The Benevolent Society.
Email: [email protected]