Sleeping Duck
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 4 sources
Melbourne online mattress company.
There's no proof Sleeping Duck 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 rightsMost 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 (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From press and retailer reports; Sleeping Duck doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | 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 |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
Research notes Sleeping Duck mattresses are assembled in China, using foam made in Sydney and springs and upholstery materials made in China, according to a 2025 review; the brand's own site does not say where they are made and the factories are not named. Its foam carries Global Green Tag (and GECA) environmental certification, but it publishes no supplier list, social audit results, modern slavery statement or living wage commitment. Where its pillows, bedding and bed bases are made is not disclosed.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid does not rate mattress or bedding companies; Sleeping Duck is not in its reports. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not listed | No Sleeping Duck statement appears on the Australian Modern Slavery Register (searched Nov 2026); it is likely under the A$100 million reporting threshold. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No labour abuse reports involving Sleeping Duck or its suppliers were identified. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Sleeping Duck Mach II review (Tom's Guide) · search the archive · Updated Aug 2025: foam made in Sydney; springs and upholstery made in China, where the mattress is assembled; GECA and Green Tag foam
- Sleeping Duck moves manufacturing to Blackburn (Lancashire Business View, 2015) · search the archive · Australian online mattress company; UK mattresses made by ICON Design in Blackburn from 2015
- Sleeping Duck bundle (Bedbuyer) · search the archive · Sold online with free delivery Australia-wide; foams GECA certified
Published by Sleeping Duck or its owner
- Mattress (Sleeping Duck) · search the archive · Selling online to Australians with next-day delivery and a Melbourne showroom; Global Green Tag foam; no country of manufacture given
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Sleeping Duck ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/sleeping-duck, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
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No bedding and textiles brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Sleeping Duck.