Top scorers with an A+ grade included Outland Denim,the brand loved by Meghan,Duchess of Sussex during her royal tour of Australia last year,Etiko,Freeset T-shirts,Icebreaker,Kowtow,Liminal Apparel and Mighty Good Undies.
But several brands received an F for either failing to respond to the survey or provide publicly available information on the reporting criteria. They included Bec and Bridge,Bloch,Camilla and Marc,Hot Springs (owners of Rebecca Vallance and P.E. Nation) and Trelise Cooper.
While this doesn't mean the brands aren't adopting ethical practices,Baptist World Aid chief executive John Hickey said consumers and social trends were demanding more companies shift from a"commercial in confidence mindset to moving to sharing and learning how to treat workers in the supply chain better".
Accordingly,the response rate for the survey has risen three-fold since 2013.
A spokeswoman for P.E. Nation said the brand had chosen not to respond to the survey while it"is on a journey developing ethical and social compliance programmes and to become a more sustainable business",including launching its first range made from recycled materials.
"The grade given ... is not indicative of our commitment and the practices that we are undertaking ...[or] the journey we have begun,"the spokeswoman said.