1. Introduction
As a leading organisation and responsible corporate citizen, Knight Frank Australia Pty Ltd and its related corporations (“Knight Frank”) are strongly committed to conducting business with the highest standards of integrity and in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulation and industry standards.
This Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) outlines Knight Frank’s fundamental expectations of its Suppliers (including their affiliates or subsidiaries) regarding ethical, social, labour and environmental responsibility in all business practices.
Where this Code refers to “Suppliers” this means suppliers, vendors, contractors and consultants or other third parties that provide goods and or services to Knight Frank or Knight Frank’s clients whether directly or indirectly, including through their own supply chains.
All Suppliers must adhere to this Code and ensure its principles are communicated throughout their own supply chains. Suppliers must also educate their representatives to ensure they understand and comply with the requirements set out in this Code. Where Knight Frank engages a Supplier on behalf of a client, the Supplier is required to comply not only with this Code but also with all applicable policies and procedures and rules of that client.
2. Anti-Bribery and Corruption
Knight Frank maintains a zero-tolerance approach to bribery, including the making of facilitation payments. All partners, directors, employees and consultants, whether working directly or indirectly for or on behalf of Knight Frank, are expected to uphold these principles in course of their duties.
Suppliers are likewise expected to comply with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and regulations. Suppliers must not engage in any activity, practice or conduct that would constitute an offence under such laws. Knight Frank does not tolerate fraudulent or corrupt behaviour, bribery, or any form of unethical inducement or facilitation payment, and expects the same high standards from its Suppliers.
3. Conflict of interest
Suppliers must avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest when conducting business with Knight Frank. Any potential conflicts, such as a personal or financial interest that could influence business decisions or the selection of Suppliers, must be promptly disclosed to Knight Frank.
Similarly, Suppliers must not enter into any business relationship with a Knight Frank partner, director, employee or representative that could create a conflict with their obligations to Knight Frank, unless prior written approval of Knight Frank has been obtained. If a Supplier becomes aware of an actual or potential conflict of interest, it must immediately disclose the matter in writing to Knight Frank for review and guidance.
4. Labour and Modern Slavery
Knight Frank is fundamentally committed to ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its supply chains, operations or in any part of its business. As a professional services supplier, Knight Frank works to provide its clients with the highest level of service attainable. Knight Franks holds itself to the utmost standards of professional conduct and will accept nothing less from its Suppliers.
Suppliers are responsible for respecting and promoting human rights in their operations, products, and/or services. Suppliers must follow the applicable laws in the countries in which they operate as well as the laws of Australia and must cooperate with Knight Frank in assessing and addressing supply chain risks.
“Modern Slavery” refers to situations where individuals are exploited by others and includes the crimes of human trafficking, slavery and slavery like practices such as servitude, forced labour, forced or servile marriage, the sale and exploitation of children, the deceptive recruitment of labour services and debt bondage.
Knight Frank undertakes modern slavery and human rights due diligence across its operations and supply chain using a risk based approach. As part of this approach, Knight Frank uses Fair Supply as its modern slavery and supply chain due diligence platform to support supplier screening, risk identification, monitoring and reporting.
Suppliers are expected to cooperate with Knight Frank’s modern slavery due diligence processes, including by providing information reasonably requested through Fair Supply or any successor platform used by Knight Frank for these purposes, and by promptly notifying Knight Frank of any identified or suspected modern slavery risks.
Knight Frank expects its Suppliers to assess and address the risks of Modern Slavery practices within their operations and supply chains and identify and report any instances where such practices are found.
In relation to employment conditions, in addition to all other applicable legal obligations, Suppliers must adhere to following specific requirements:
4.1 Child labour
Suppliers must not engage in or condone the unlawful employment or exploitation of children within the workplace.
Suppliers must be committed to combating exploitation of children within their supply chains, by prohibiting any use of child labour in any supplier or other third-party arrangements.
Suppliers are required cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities in addressing any instances of child labour that comes to their attention.
4.2 Employment Relationship
Suppliers must respect the free choice of all persons and prohibit forced or compulsory labour for any employees.
Suppliers must maintain legally recognised employment relationships with their workers, in accordance with applicable national laws and established best practices.
Suppliers must not conduct business with, tolerate, or associate with organisations or entities that condone or are engaged in the practice of coercing or imposing work with little or no freedom of choice.
Suppliers must not avoid providing employees with their legal or contractual rights.
4.3 Working and Wages
Suppliers must comply with all applicable state, Commonwealth, and relevant international laws concerning employee wages, entitlements, and working hours, including those set out in the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and associated industrial awards.
Suppliers are expected to uphold ethical employment practices by maintaining high labour standards, treating their employees with dignity and respect and providing fair and equitable compensation.
4.4 Discrimination
Suppliers must ensure that no discrimination is practised in its business and should have a written policy of equality for all in the workplace, prohibiting discrimination based on race, caste, religion, nationality, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, union membership or political affiliation.
4.5 Safe and Secure Workplace
Suppliers must ensure a safe and secure working environment for all employees, customers, and visitors.
Any form of physical violence or threats, corporal punishment, psychological coercion, verbal abuse or sexual harassment must be strictly prohibited within their operations.
4.6 Freedom of Association
Suppliers must uphold the rights of employees and comply with all applicable laws relating to freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
5. Diversity
Knight Frank actively promotes and values a diverse workforce embracing individuals of different genders, ages, religions, races, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, educational levels and abilities. Knight Frank expects our Suppliers to uphold these same principles, ensuring their employees are protected from discrimination and fostering diversity within their workplace. Suppliers should also adapt to evolving demographics and work patterns to maintain an inclusive environment.
6. Labour Hire
Suppliers engaged in providing labour hire services, must possess the necessary licences to provide labour to Knight Frank and its clients, in compliance with relevant state and commonwealth laws and must advise Knight Frank if they cease to hold any such licences.
7. Environment
Knight Frank is dedicated to continuously improving its operations to minimise environmental harm and prevent pollution. Suppliers are expected to reduce their environmental impact during business activities and to support and encourage others to do so. Knight Frank expects its Suppliers to comply with all relevant environmental laws, standards and industry specific codes. Suppliers must obtain, maintain and keep current all necessary environmental permits and registrations while conducting business with Knight Frank and provide copies to Knight Frank when requested to do so.
8. Health and Safety
Knight Frank expects its Suppliers to uphold its commitment to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and others who may be impacted by their operations. This includes implementing comprehensive health and safety policies and procedures. For Suppliers delivering on site services, such as contractors, compliance with the Knight Frank Contractor Health and Safety Guidelines is also mandatory while working on premises managed by Knight Frank. These guidelines will be provided by Knight Frank separately.
9. Confidentiality
Knight Frank has a responsibility to protect the confidential information of all parties it engages with, including clients, employees and suppliers. Suppliers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to confidential or proprietary information and must take appropriate measures to safeguard any such information received from or shared by Knight Frank. Confidential information must only be used for authorised purposes and disclosed solely to individuals who are authorised to receive it. Suppliers must consult with Knight Frank before using any confidential information for any purpose.
10. Data Protection and Privacy
Suppliers may occasionally have access to personal information relating to Knight Frank employees, clients or other individuals. It is essential that this information is handled with care and protected at all times, regardless of how it is collected, recorded, stored, processed, disclosed, transferred or shared (whether in physical per or electronic format). Suppliers must comply with all relevant privacy and information security laws when managing personal information.
Suppliers must also maintain appropriate data governance practices to ensure information is collected, used, stored, shared and retained responsibly and only for authorised purposes in accordance with privacy laws.
11. Whistleblowing
Knight Frank is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability and ethical conduct, particularly in relation to anti-bribery and anti-corruption. Knight Frank expects its employees all business partners, including Suppliers, to speak up and report any serious concerns related to unethical conduct, breaches of this Code, anti bribery and corruption, modern slavery, data misuse or other serious misconduct.
Information regarding how to raise any concerns can be found in Knight Frank’s Whistleblowing Policy which can be found here.
12. Reporting Concerns
Knight Frank expects all Suppliers to promptly report any suspected or known breaches of this Code. Suppliers are encouraged to raise any concerns about questionable business practices or potential compliance issues. Knight Frank is committed to a culture of openness and will not tolerate any form of retribution taken against individuals who, in good faith, seek guidance or report suspected misconduct or violates of the Code.
13. Code Compliance
While Suppliers are expected to monitor their own compliance with this Code, Knight Frank reserves the right to verify adherence across its supply chain. This may involve self-assessments, audits conducted by Knight Frank or third parties.
Upon written request, Suppliers must allow Knight Frank representatives to evaluate their compliance with the Code.
These assessments may include, but not limited to:
• completion and review of online questionnaires and surveys
• on-site inspection of the Supplier’s facilities
• examination of relevant documentation and records
• audits conducted by Knight Frank or independent third-party consultants.
Knight Frank is committed to supporting its Suppliers and encourages open, honest dialogue. If a Supplier identifies challenges in fully meeting the requirements of the Code, Knight Frank will work collaboratively to explore practical solutions.
14. Compliance with Laws
In addition to any specific items outlined in this Code, Suppliers are expected to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and industry standards in the jurisdiction where they operate.
15. Review
Knight Frank will periodically review this Code and may update it, as necessary.
This Code was updated in April 2026.
For any questions or concerns about this Code, or to report any suspected or known breaches of this Code, please contact Head of Legal, Risk and Compliance.