Your Woolworths supplier audit,
level by level
How Woolworths Supplier Excellence (WSE) works, what the auditor samples at each level, and how to prepare. For the person who owns food safety at your site.
A Woolworths supplier audit is run under Woolworths Supplier Excellence (WSE), which replaced WQA. It’s by invitation, for own brand and fresh food suppliers. You’re audited on three levels: a GFSI certification or the Woolworths Base Standard, then codes of practice, then your product specifications. Woolworths sets how often you’re audited based on performance and risk.
Three levels, three kinds of proof
If you’re GFSI-certified, Level 1 is familiar ground. Levels 2 and 3 are where Woolworths’ own expectations live.
Food safety system
A GFSI-recognised certification (such as SQF, BRCGS or FSSC 22000) or the Woolworths Base Standard. The Base Standard isn’t public, so ask your Technical Specialist if it fits your site.
Codes of practice
The Woolworths codes of practice and industry standards that apply to your category. A meat site and a bakery will be held to different codes.
Product specifications
Your agreed specifications and any supplier-specific requirements. The auditor checks that what you make matches what Woolworths signed off.
Sources: LRQA on WSE, SGS on WSE, Intertek SAI Global on WSE. Woolworths issues the requirement documents to invited suppliers.
Is WSE your audit?
You can’t sign up for WSE. A Woolworths business team nominates you as part of your supply agreement.
Usually in WSE
- Woolworths own brand food manufacturers
- Fresh food suppliers, including meat, poultry, seafood and dairy
- Pet food and animal feed
- Ready-to-eat food served in-store, such as sushi
- Agents and brokers tied to own brand supply
Usually a different route
- Fresh produce growers and packers: HARPS on top of a base scheme such as Freshcare
- Branded products you sell under your own label: ask your buyer what certification they accept
- No nomination yet: focus on a GFSI scheme, which covers Level 1 when the invitation comes
Scope from Intertek SAI Global. HARPS covers Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Costco and Metcash (Fresh Produce Safety Centre).
What the WSE auditor checks, and the evidence to have ready
Organised by level, so you can see where each record earns its place.
| Level | What the auditor looks for | Evidence to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| L1 · HACCP and CCPs | Hazards controlled, limits met, deviations handled | HACCP plan; CCP records for sampled dates; deviations linked to corrective actions |
| L1 · Prerequisite programs | Cleaning, pest control, maintenance and hygiene running as written | Cleaning sign-offs and verification; pest reports; maintenance and calibration logs |
| L1 · Supplier approval | Raw materials and packaging from approved, certified suppliers | Approved supplier list; current certificates; expiry tracking |
| L2 · Category codes | You meet the Woolworths codes of practice for your category | A map of each code requirement to the record that proves it |
| L2 · Allergens and labelling | Allergens controlled and declared correctly | Allergen matrix; changeover validation; label approval records |
| L3 · Specification compliance | Finished product matches the agreed specification | Current signed specifications; release checks; product testing results |
| L3 · Traceability | You can trace a Woolworths product quickly, both ways | Timed trace test on a Woolworths line; batch and lot records; recall plan |
| All levels · Close-out | Past findings fixed and verified | CAPA register with root cause, owner, due date and evidence |
A planning guide. Your category’s code of practice and your certifier’s checklist are the final word.
Woolworths Responsible Sourcing, in plain terms
Own brand and fresh suppliers also sit in the Responsible Sourcing Program. What you need depends on the risk segment Woolworths gives your site.
| Your site’s segment | What you do | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum risk | A self-assessment questionnaire every year, through Sedex, Fair Farms or NZGAP | Letting the yearly questionnaire lapse |
| Moderate, priority or specialised | A third-party social audit on a set cycle, from an accepted scheme such as amfori BSCI, SMETA, SA8000 or Fair Farms | Reports must reach Woolworths at least 10 days before the old one expires |
| After any audit | Results are rated Green, Amber, Purple or Red | Purple needs a corrective action plan to keep trading. Red can mean suspension. |
You’ll also need the Woolworths Speak Up poster displayed at your sites, and labour hire providers have their own addendum. Source: Woolworths Group Responsible Sourcing Program Supplier Guidelines (Trade), Version 5, August 2025.
From nomination to your first WSE audit
A planning guide. The real clock starts when Woolworths nominates you.
Meet your Technical Specialist
Ask which WSE requirements, codes of practice and specifications apply, and whether your GFSI certificate covers Level 1.
Pick a certification body
Choose a WSE-approved certifier. Ask if they can align the WSE audit with your GFSI audit dates.
Map Levels 2 and 3
For each code of practice and specification, name the record that proves it. Gaps usually show up here.
Fix and test
Close open corrective actions, refresh supplier certificates, and run a timed trace test on a Woolworths product.
Mock audit and sourcing check
Run an internal audit against all three levels. Confirm your Responsible Sourcing questionnaire or audit is current.
Earn a lighter cycle
Audit frequency follows your performance and risk. Clean close-outs and steady records work in your favour.
Show the WSE auditor any record in under a minute
Three levels means three places a record can hide. EthicalHub keeps them in one.
Woolworths requirements next to your scheme
Retailer audit program tracking covers Woolworths alongside SQF, BRCGS or FSSC 22000 clauses. You see which record supports which requirement.
Level 1 records that run daily
HACCP and CCP monitoring with deviation alerts, and all 18 prerequisite programs as ready templates.
Traceability for the trace test
Batch and lot records and recall readiness, so a Woolworths trace is a search, not a scramble.
Close-outs that lower your risk
Corrective actions with root cause, owner, due date and evidence. Then export the audit pack, organised by requirement, in about a minute.
See how EthicalHub works, or the audit pack export. Consultants can review and sign off corrective actions across all client sites.
Free: 59-point Retailer Audit Readiness Checklist (PDF + Excel)
Use it for your Level 1 gap-check before you map the Woolworths codes.
Woolworths supplier audits: common questions
What is Woolworths Supplier Excellence (WSE)?
How do I get a Woolworths WSE audit?
Do I need SQF or BRCGS to supply Woolworths?
How often are WSE audits?
Does Woolworths require an ethical or social audit?
I supply fresh produce to Woolworths. Is WSE my audit?
Every WSE level, covered.
Keep the records for all three levels in one place, and hand over your audit pack in a click.