Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Document Revision History
• Document Archive
• Chapter 1: About This Manual
  • 1.1 What is in this Manual?
  • 1.2 Does this Manual apply to me?
  • 1.3 Amendments to this Manual
  • 1.4 Summary of this Manual
• Chapter 2: Corporate Governance in DFAT and the Australian Public Service
  • 2.1 Ethics, Integrity and Professional Standards Section
  • 2.2 Discussing Ethical Issues at Post
  • 2.3 Audit and Risk Committee
  • 2.4 The Australian Public Service Commission
• Chapter 3: Values and Codes of Conduct
  • 3.1 Public Service Act 1999 and Public Service Regulations 1999
  • 3.2 APS Values and Employment Principles
  • 3.3 APS Code of Conduct
  • 3.4 LES Code of Conduct
  • 3.5 DFAT Code of Conduct for Overseas Service
  • 3.6 Other Australian Government Codes of Conduct
• Chapter 4: Conduct, Ethics and Fraud Training
  • 4.1 Conduct, Ethics and Fraud Training in Canberra
  • 4.2 Conduct, Ethics and Fraud Training at Posts and State/Territory Offices
  • 4.3 Conduct and Ethics Training Tools
• Chapter 5: Conflicts of Interests
  • 5.1 What is a Conflict of Interest?
  • 5.2 Avoiding, Disclosing and Managing Conflicts of Interest
  • 5.3 Outside Employment and Voluntary Work
  • 5.4 Employment after Leaving the Department
  • 5.5 Dealing with Lobbyists
  • 5.6 Conflict of Interest Case Studies and Possible Remedies
• Chapter 6: Gifts, Benefits, Hospitality, Sponsored Travel and Sponsorship
  • 6.1 Gifts and Benefits
  • 6.2 Hospitality
  • 6.3 Sponsored Travel
  • 6.4 Corporate Sponsorship
• Chapter 7: Appropriate Use and Collection of Official Information and Resources
  • 7.1 Appropriate Use and Collection of and Access to Official and Personal Information
  • 7.2 Appropriate Use of Official Resources
• Chapter 8: Upholding the Reputation of the Department and Australia
  • 8.1 Responsibility to Uphold the Reputation of the Department and Australia
  • 8.2 Providing References
  • 8.3 Appropriate Use of Diplomatic and Consular Privileges and Immunities
  • 8.4 Making Public Comments
  • 8.5 Acceptable Personal Use of Social Media
  • 8.6 Working with Offices of Portfolio Ministers
• Chapter 9: What is Misconduct?
  • 9.1 Misconduct
  • 9.2 Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination
  • 9.3 Fraud
  • 9.4 Bribery
• Chapter 10: Child Protection
  • 10.1 What is child abuse/exploitation/child harm?
  • 10.2 What policies and guidelines does DFAT have in place in relation to the protection of children?
  • 10.3 How do I identify child abuse/ exploitation?
  • 10.4 Officers seeking guidance or advice in relation to child protection issues may wish to contact:
• Chapter 11: Reporting Alleged Misconduct and Criminal Offences
  • 11.1 Reporting Alleged Misconduct in DFAT
  • 11.2 Public Interest Disclosures in DFAT
  • 11.3 How to Report Alleged Misconduct by Employees of Other APS Agencies
  • 11.4 Responsibility to Report Alleged Criminal Offences by Third Parties
• Chapter 12: Managing Alleged Misconduct in DFAT
  • 12.1 Mandatory Procedures for Determining Whether an APS Employee Has Breached the APS Code of Conduct and For Determining Any Sanction to be Imposed for a Breach of the APS Code of Conduct
  • 12.2 General guidance to APS employees on the Formal Misconduct process
  • 12.3 General guidance on managing Alleged Misconduct by Locally Engaged Staff (les)
  • 12.4 General guidance on managing Alleged Misconduct by Independent Contractors
• Forms and Schedules

Introduction

We must all have a strong commitment to our professional conduct, with each of us sharing a responsibility to support and promote a culture that ensures an ethical and safe workplace. The Conduct and Ethics Manual is an important tool to help us meet this important objective and I commend it to you.

We cannot tolerate unethical or inappropriate behavior and I expect all of us to call it out wherever we see it. This includes behaviour that contravenes the APS Code of Conduct, Values and Employment Principles and DFAT's Anti-bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, Values Statement, Code of Conduct for Overseas Service and Locally Engaged Staff (LES) Codes of Conduct at overseas posts.

All Australian Public Servants (APS), LES and contractors play an important role in advancing Australia's security and prosperity in a more contested and competitive world.

It is the clear expectation of the Government, the Australian community, as well as my own, that we all maintain the highest standards of professionalism, probity, accountability and ethical practice in the course of our work.

DFAT takes very seriously allegations of misconduct, including bullying, harassment and discrimination. Such allegations will be investigated effectively and fairly, and sanctions imposed when breaches have occurred.

The Manual is the principal source of departmental guidance and policy on conduct and ethics issues for all categories of DFAT employees. It is reviewed regularly to ensure its provisions remain current and relevant, and I welcome ongoing comment on how it may be improved.

In addition to the Manual, the department’s Employee Conduct and Ethics Section is a valuable source of advice available to all staff.

Frances Adamson

Secretary

17 October 2019

Document Revision History

Document Archive

The original version of this Manual and all superseded versions of this Manual are archived in EES.

The Administrative Circulars replaced by the original version of this Manual were:

• P0308 Public Service Act 1999 — New Departmental Procedures for Determining Breaches of the APS Code of Conduct
• P0352 Making a Whistleblowing Disclosure and Protection for Whistle-blowers
• P0397 Acceptance of Gifts or Other Benefits: Sponsored Travel
• P0400 Reporting Fraud or Misconduct
• P0458 Procedures for Dealing with Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality
• P0526 Outside Employment for APS Employees and Locally Engaged Staff
• P0591 Revised Code of Conduct for Overseas Service
• P0704 Conduct and Ethics: Use of Department-Licensed Computer Software for Work Purposes at Home
• P0826 Conduct and Ethics: Revised Policy Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest
• P0830 Code of Conduct: Movement of APS Staff between Agencies
• P0861 Use of Internet Social Networking Tools by Departmental Staff
• P0950 Lobbying Code of Conduct and Post-Separation Employment
• N625/09 APSC Ethics Advisory Service and DFAT Conduct and Ethics Unit.
• Other documents replaced by the original version of this Manual were:
• Human Resources Manual Volume 1 Chapter 13
• Locally Engaged Staff Management: A Better Practice Guide Chapter 14.

Next page: Chapter One