kaboodle
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Bunnings' brand of flat-pack kitchen and laundry cabinets.
There's no proof kaboodle pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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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 rights82% of its products are made in countries such as China and India, 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 (timber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeTraced or certified: timber
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
kaboodle says it makes products in Australia. Its parent group's figures name China. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 75% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Australia | Not given | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | 5% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | 3% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | 3% | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Passes the raw-material check for homewares and appliances: traces or certifies its timber.
- Modern slavery statement
- Traces or certifies most but not all of its timber. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Most kaboodle products are imported flat-pack; custom sizes are cut, edged and wrapped at its Somerton, Victoria plant (50+ staff). Owner AHE says 84% of its direct spend in FY24 was on products from two China factories owned by the Managing Director's extended family, and in FY25 it was still working to bring in independent audits of them. All its timber suppliers are FSC or PEFC certified, but non-timber suppliers are not audited and there is no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | AHE Group's FY25 statement covers DIY Resolutions (kaboodle); its two key partner factories in China are owned by the Managing Director's extended family, and independent audits of them were still being introduced. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion or Electronics reports, which do not cover kitchen cabinet makers. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No labour allegations against kaboodle or AHE Group appear in Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reporting. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- kaboodle - Bunnings Warehouse · search the archive · kaboodle sold in Bunnings stores
Published by kaboodle or its owner
- AHE Group Modern Slavery Statement FY25 · search the archive · About 300 staff; two key China factories owned by MD's family, audits being introduced; 100% of timber suppliers certified
- AHE Group Modern Slavery Statement FY24 · search the archive · 84% of FY24 direct spend on products from two China factories; 45% of direct spend on certified products
- Our local story - kaboodle · search the archive · Somerton VIC plant cuts, edges and wraps globally sourced board and doors; 50+ staff; part of AHE
- Frequently asked questions - kaboodle · search the archive · Mix of imported products sold at Bunnings; owned by Australian-owned AHE; moisture-resistant board cabinets
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Employees
- About 300
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is kaboodle ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/kaboodle, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent kaboodle.