EMU Australia
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources
Family-owned Geelong company making sheepskin boots and slippers.
There's no proof EMU Australia pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent EMU Australia? Send a right of reply.
Compare EMU Australia with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeTraced or certified: leather
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
EMU Australia says it makes products in Australia. Product labels show China. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Australia | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Passes the raw-material check for clothes and shoes: traces or certifies its leather.
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
- Traces or certifies most but not all of its leather. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes EMU's Platinum sheepskin boots, slippers and booties are cut and sewn at its own factory in Geelong, Victoria, under Australian award wages, and are registered with the Australian Made campaign; this range made up 68% of its Australian sales in 2024. Its other ranges are made offshore by suppliers it does not name; retailer listings label these 'Made in China'. It says its footwear uses Australian sheepskin, but publishes no supplier list, audit programme or living wage commitment for overseas production.
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- EMU Australia - Australian Made licensee · search the archive · Licensed for Platinum sheepskin boots, slippers, children's boots and baby booties; Australian owned
- EMU Australia on the hunt for artisans after record sales (Ragtrader) · search the archive · Family owned and operated Australian business recruiting local factory workers (2022)
- EMU Australia champions local craftsmanship during Australian Made Week · search the archive · Australian Made range is 68% of domestic business; made at Geelong HQ factory from 100% Australian sheepskin (May 2025)
- EMU Australia Apsley boots - Level Shoes · search the archive · Retailer listing of an EMU suede and merino boot labelled 'Made in: China'
Published by EMU Australia or its owner
- Australian Made - EMU Australia · search the archive · Platinum range made at own Geelong factory since 1994 from Australian sheepskin; some products produced overseas
- EMU Australia sustainability page · search the archive · Footwear made from Australian sheepskin, leather and merino wool; no supply chain or audit disclosure
- EMU Australia FAQs · search the archive · Platinum Collection made at its Australian factory; other products manufactured offshore, countries not named
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is EMU Australia ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/emu-australia, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded footwear
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent EMU Australia.