Compliance

The Secure Local Jobs Registrar is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Code and investigating any complaints of noncompliance. Anyone who reasonably believes that a business is not adhering to the Code can file a written complaint with the Registrar. The Registrar will then determine the appropriate course of action, which may include working with the business to address the issue, conducting an investigation, or requesting an audit. If an investigation is launched, the business will have the opportunity to respond to the complaint. If the complaint concerns noncompliance with other legislation, the Registrar may refer it to the relevant regulatory authority.

Strengthened Compliance Powers

Starting March 1, 2022, authorized government officers will have the power to enter and inspect businesses to investigate noncompliance with the Secure Local Jobs Code. If the Registrar suspects a business is not in compliance, they can suspend the business's certificate or impose conditions for a specified period. These increased compliance measures aim to encourage businesses to meet the highest standards in pay, employment conditions, superannuation, worker safety, and tax compliance.

Past performance to inform future contract work

The Secure Local Jobs Code is also being updated to ensure that a business's past performance is considered when awarding contracts for territory-funded work. Tenderers will need to provide information about their compliance with the Code and previous commitments in their Labour, Relations, Workplace Training and Equity Plan (LRWTE Plan) when applying for ACT Government contracts.

Consequences of non-compliance

Noncompliance with the Code can result in suspension or cancellation of a Code Certificate, or the imposition of conditions on it. For example, a business may not be able to apply for a Code Certificate for 12 months. The Registrar can also assign infringement points for noncompliance. If a business accumulates 100 infringement points over two years, their Code Certificate can be suspended or canceled. The Secure Local Jobs Code Complaints and Noncompliance Investigation Guidelines provide more information on the complaints process and consequences of noncompliance.

Advisory Council

The Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council advises the Minister on the operation of the Code. The Minister appoints the members, who include the Registrar (non-voting), representatives of employee interests, and individuals with relevant qualifications or experience.

The Advisory Council is comprised of the following appointed members:

Robert Wright – Secure Local Jobs Code Registrar and Chair
Kasey Tomkins – Employee representative
Michael Hiscox – Employee representative
Stacey Sharkey – Employee representative
Josh Rynehart – Member
Anna Neelagama – Member
Greg Harford – Member

Advisory Council communiques

Meeting 32

18 August 2026

Summary of discussions

Meeting 32 of the Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council was held on the papers. Papers, circulated to members on 18 August 2026, included:

updates to the Advisory Council Terms of Reference
feedback sought on a discussion paper to inform an independent review of the Secure Local Jobs Code; and
end of financial year Secure Local Jobs Code and Ethical Treatment of Workers Evaluation metrics.

The next Advisory Council meeting will be held on 10 November 2026.

Robert Wright
Chair, Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council

Meeting 31

20 July 2026

Summary of discussions

Minister Pettersson MLA, Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations called an out-of-session meeting of the Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council on Monday 20 July 2026 to discuss the operation of the Secure Local Jobs Code.

The Chair welcomed members to the Secure Local Jobs Code (SLJC) Advisory Council (Council) Meeting and conducted an acknowledgment of country.

Following opening remarks by Minister Pettersson, members discussed and provided feedback on the current operation of the Code.

Discussions included:

broad support for an independent review amongst members
the need to ensure appropriate compliance, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms; and
the interaction of the Code with other procurement policies that support local industry participation.

Members were advised that the discussion would be used to inform the Government’s decision regarding an independent review of the Code and support policy development to ensure the Code continues to operate effectively.

The next Advisory Council meeting will be held on 18 August 2026.

Robert Wright
Chair, Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council

Meeting 30

19 May 2026

Summary of discussions

The Chair welcomed members to the Secure Local Jobs Code (SLJC) Advisory Council (Council) Meeting and conducted an acknowledgment of country.

Members endorsed the minutes of the previous meeting held on papers in February 2026.

Members were provided an update on SLJC operations with the invitation to discuss, including the following:

no exemptions have been recorded since the previous meeting
on 11 March 2026, the SLJC certifications of two entities were cancelled. Following these cancellations, certification was not granted to two associated entities.
SLJC and ETWE dashboard information was provided, showing recent trends and key metrics; and
feedback from a certification user experience survey was shared and discussed with members.

Procurement ACT outlined LIPP documentation requirements, prompting discussion on alignment with LRTWE, particularly in relation to reporting requirements.

Member were invited to discuss the proposed publication of the SLJC and ETWE dashboards.

Members were advised that the next meeting is scheduled to be held on 11 August 2026.

Robert Wright
Chair, Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council

Meeting 29

26 February 2026

Summary of discussions

Meeting was held on the papers.

Papers were circulated to Members on 26 February 2026 and included:

SLJC operational updates
proposed dashboard information for publishing; and
updates on education/outreach activities for the Code.

Secure Local Jobs Code Secretariat

Meeting 28

11 November 2025

Summary of discussions

The Chair welcomed members to the Secure Local Jobs Code (SLJC) Advisory Council (Council) Meeting and conducted an acknowledgment of country.

Members were advised of recent legislative amendments to the Government Procurement Act 2001 (the Act) that legislate for the Chair role of the Council to be the SLJC Registrar.

Members endorsed the minutes of the previous meeting held in May 2025.

Members discussed and endorsed a couple of minor administrative amendments to the Council’s Terms of Reference.

The Chair provided an update from the SLJC Registrar with invitation for discussion from Members including on:

possible SLJC-related data that the Council would benefit from receiving / accessing
work that the SLJC Branch is doing to explore options to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative processes in relation to SLJC requirements, including undertaking a SLJC certification user experience survey, and
the SLJC Branch’s metrics, recent trends and education and outreach activities.

Procurement ACT provided an update to Members about amendments to the Act that were recently introduced in the Legislative Assembly.

Members were advised that meeting dates for 2026 will be scheduled in due course.

Michael Young
Chair, Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council

Support

If you need support, contact the Secure Local Jobs team.