The Ethical Framework and the Code of Ethics and Conduct for NSW Government Sector Employees

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The Ethical Framework

All NSW government sector employees are required and expected to act ethically, lawfully and in the public interest. This can be achieved by adhering to the government sector core values of Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Service. These core values are underpinned by 18 principles, which will help you put the values into action.

Our core values and principles are collectively prescribed by the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 as the Ethical Framework for the government sector (the Ethical Framework), and are all of equal importance.

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Understanding the Ethical Framework

Explainer video for the NSW Ethical Framework.

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Video transcript

Understanding the Ethical Framework

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All New South Wales government sector employees have an obligation to act ethically and in the public interest the New South Wales government's ethical framework helps us understand how to do this by always complying with the ethical framework we can maintain a merit-based apolitical and professional government sector for both now and into the future the ethical framework consists of four core values Integrity Trust accountability and service each value is equally important the values are supported by principles the principles help you apply the values in your day-to-day work you can demonstrate Integrity by considering people equally without prejudice or favor acting professionally with honesty consistency and impartiality taking responsibility for situations showing leadership and courage placing the public interest over your own you can demonstrate trust by appreciating our differences and learning from others building relationships based on mutual respect upholding the law institutions of government and Democratic principles communicating intentions clearly and inviting teamwork and collaboration providing apolitical and nonpartisan advice you can demonstrate service by providing Services fairly with a focus on customer needs being flexible Innovative and reliable in Service delivery engaging with the not for-profit and business sectors to develop and Implement Service Solutions and focusing on quality while maximizing Service delivery you can demonstrate accountability by recruiting and promoting employees on Merit taking responsibility for decisions and actions providing transparency to enable public scrutiny observing standards for safety and being fiscally responsible and focusing on efficient effective and prudent use of resources we must ensure we are acting with Integrity trust accountability and service when dealing with ministers our customers our colleagues and our community failing to comply with the ethical framework may damage trust in you and your agency and may also be a breach of the code of conduct this can have serious consequences for you and your employment complying with the ethical framework will help preserve a government sector that effectively and impartially serves the government of the day and the people of New South Wales we all have a responsibility to ensure our decisions and actions are consistent with the objectives values and principles of the ethical framework you can find out more going to the public service commission's website or visiting the independent commission against corruption and the New South Wales ombudsman's website.

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Integrity

  • Consider people equally without prejudice or favour.

  • Act professionally with honesty, consistency and impartiality.

  • Take responsibility for situations, showing leadership and courage.

  • Place the public interest over personal interest.

Trust

  • Appreciate difference and welcome learning from others

  • Build relationships based on mutual respect.

  • Uphold the law, institutions of government and democratic principles.

  • Communicate intentions clearly and invite teamwork and collaboration.

  • Provide apolitical and non-partisan advice.

Accountability

  • Recruit and promote employees on merit.

  • Take responsibility for decisions and actions.

  • Provide transparency to enable public scrutiny.

  • Observe standards for safety.

  • Be fiscally responsible and focus on efficient, effective and prudent use of resources.

Service

  • Provide services fairly with a focus on customer needs.

  • Be flexible, innovative and reliable in service delivery.

  • Engage with the not-for-profit and business sectors to develop and implement service solutions.

  • Focus on quality while maximising service delivery.

The Code of Ethics and Conduct for NSW Government Sector Employees

When you work for the NSW government sector you have to reflect the Ethical Framework in action.

The Code helps you do this by setting out the minimum expected standards of behaviour that you must meet. It gives us a framework to guide our decisions and behaviour, no matter our level or our job.

The Code applies wherever you work in the NSW government sector. It has been designed to ensure there is a set of consistent expectations right across the NSW government sector on key ethical issues.

All NSW government sector employees are expected to know and act in accordance with the Ethical Framework, as well as the general principles and requirements set out in the Code. You should also ensure you understand any supplementary code your agency has issued.

If you see behaviour that you believe does not live up to the Ethical Framework or the general principles and requirements in the Code, you should report this in accordance with your agency’s policies for reporting wrongdoing.

View the Code of Ethics and Conduct

Take the time to read through the Code to ensure you are confident in your responsibilities as a NSW government sector employee.

Read it now

If your agency requires help implementing the Code of Ethics and Conduct please contact us.

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