Harvey Norman
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Based on what Harvey Norman publishes, with few independent checks. It doesn't say where its products are made, so we use where its industry usually makes them. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources · How we check
Sydney retail chain selling furniture, appliances and electronics.
We couldn't confirm where Harvey Norman makes most of its products.
Also worth knowing
Most homewares and appliances are made in countries such as China and Vietnam, where pay is usually below a living wage.
Better-graded furniture
Graded higher than Harvey Norman, selling the same kinds of things.
None of the furniture brands we know to make furniture or bedding and towels is Good yet. These are the strongest so far. Le Klint is Good, but we don't know that it makes furniture or bedding and towels.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements, with 2 red flags.Open why it has this gradeClose why it has this grade
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production, probably in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- 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 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere homewares and appliances are usually made, such as China and India, 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
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (timber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: timber
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Probably 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
Where its industry usually makes its goods: China 50%, Vietnam 15%, India 10% and 3 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Harvey Norman makes most of its products, so this shows where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 50% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Poland | 10% | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Indonesia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Malaysia | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
2 things we found and what 4 independent sources say.Open the evidenceClose the evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Doesn't show where its timber comes from. Timber is linked to illegal logging linked to forced labour, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes Graded on the furniture and bedding Harvey Norman Holdings sources itself, not the third-party electronics and appliance brands it resells. Its 2025 modern slavery statement names no supplier countries, factories, audit results or high-risk materials, and says it cannot set policies for its independent Australian franchisees. It sells some Australian-made furniture and bedding but gives no share. No supplier list, timber certification or living wage commitment is published.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Statement filed | Harvey Norman Holdings statement for July 2024 to June 2025 covers Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne but names no supplier countries, factories, audits or high-risk products. View |
| News reporting and NGO investigations | On file | A 2022 Monash University review of ASX-listed companies' modern slavery statements gave Harvey Norman an E or F grade. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion ReportAnother organisation's rating | Not assessed | Baptist World Aid's reports cover fashion and electronics brands, not furniture retailers. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Couldn't confirm | No labour abuse allegations involving Harvey Norman's furniture or bedding suppliers were identified. View |
Sources and actions
5 sources, company details, and how to send evidence or a right of reply.Open the sources and company detailsClose the sources and company details
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- It's disappointing: why retailers should do more to tackle modern slavery (Inside Retail) · search the archive · Monash University review gave Harvey Norman's statement an E or F grade (2022)
- Green Left: Protests target Harvey Norman's chain of forest destruction · search the archive · Aug 2011: The Last Stand protests at four sites accuse Harvey Norman of selling wood products from native forest logging
- Mongabay: Activists protest Australian forest destruction from top of the Sydney Opera House · search the archive · 2011: activists allege Harvey Norman wood products come largely from native forests; Harvey Norman says it supports sustainable harvesting
Published by Harvey Norman or its owner
- Harvey Norman Holdings Modern Slavery Statement 2025 · search the archive · Signed Dec 2025, latest on register; covers Harvey Norman, Domayne, Joyce Mayne marks; no supplier countries, audits or cases; franchisees independent
- Harvey Norman proudly supports Australian Made Week · search the archive · Sells some Australian-made furniture and bedding, including Silvertop Ash and Victorian Ash timber pieces; no share given
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Harvey Norman ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/harvey-norman, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Harvey Norman.
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