Minimum expected standards of behaviour

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and treated fairly at work. 

Bullying, unlawful discrimination and any form of harassment – including sexual harassment – are not acceptable in any workplace. 

As a government sector employee, you must not: 

• bully, unlawfully discriminate against or harass others
• ignore these behaviours if you see or hear about them.  

You should understand your legal obligations and follow your agency’s policies about bullying, harassment and discrimination. If you manage people, you have extra responsibilities to prevent and respond to these behaviours. Know your obligations and take action. 

Find out more: 

• Preventing, identifying and responding to workplace bullying
• Managing psychosocial hazards at work – SafeWork NSW

Sexual harassment is unlawful and not tolerated. 

It is prohibited under both: 

• Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)
• Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) 

Some forms of sexual harassment may amount to criminal behaviour. Criminal behaviour can include sexual assault, indecent exposure, stalking, or sending obscene messages. Behaviour like this could also be misconduct under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (NSW). 

Sexual harassment is also a work health and safety (WHS) risk. All NSW Government agencies have a positive duty to prevent sexual harassment, as it’s a hazard and risk to employee physical and psychological health.  

All agencies must have a workplace sexual harassment policy under Public Service Commission Direction No 1 of 2023 (PDF 123.25KB) (PDF, 112 KB).  

We all have a responsibility to help create a safe, inclusive and ethical workplace. 

Find out more: 

• Sexual harassment at work and how to report it
• Preventing sexual harassment – SafeWork NSW 
   

NSW public sector officials, including government sector employees, must act impartially and in the public interest – including when being lobbied, or making decisions after being lobbied, by lobbyists. 

You must: 

• follow the Code and the NSW Lobbyists Code of Conduct (Premier’s Memorandum M2019-02)
• act with transparency and appropriate probity
• understand the rules under the Lobbying of Government Officials Act 2011 (NSW). 

​​Public confidence in government depends on how lobbying is conducted. It must be done with probity and transparency.​​     ​​​ 

Find out more: 

• Lobbying rules – NSW Electoral Commission 

Recruitment in the NSW Government sector must be based on merit. This means: 

• all eligible candidates get a fair chance
• people are selected based on their ability to do the job
• the best person is chosen for the role. 
   

If you're involved in recruitment, you must: 

• comply with the requirement in the Ethical Framework to recruit and promote employees based on merit
• follow all relevant legislation and policies
• declare any conflict of interest, and work with the right person in your agency to make sure it’s managed appropriately.   
   

Find out more: 

• Legal requirements in NSW Public Service recruitment
• Corruption risks in recruitment – ICAC

Risk is the effect of uncertainty on your work. The consequences of this uncertainty may be either negative or positive – and affect how well your agency achieves its goals. While risk is part of our everyday work, all employees have a role in managing it. 

You must: 

• identify and report risks to your manager or decision-maker so they can be assessed and managed
• follow your agency’s risk management policy (if any)
• comply with any applicable NSW Treasury policies. 
   

Good risk management helps agencies achieve their goals and protect public resources. 

Find out more: 

• Risk management toolkit – NSW Treasury (PDF 905.45KB)

If you want to take on other paid or unpaid work, you may need approval from your agency head. 

This is because secondary employment can lead to: 

• conflicts of interest
• misuse of confidential information, public resources or delegated authority
• risks to your health and wellbeing. 

You must: 

• follow your agency’s policies and any legislative requirements
• declare any conflict of interest, and work with the right person in your agency to make sure it’s managed appropriately.   
   

Find out more: 

• Managing corruption risks in additional work – ICAC

Appropriate use of public resources 

Public resources include anything your agency owns, pays for, or controls. They also include items you use to do your job. You’re responsible for managing these resources in the best interests of the people of NSW. 

You must not use public resources – such as money, property, equipment or consumables – for anything that hasn’t been properly authorised. 

You must also never use your role, or your access to government resources or information, for your own benefit or to benefit someone else. 

Taking surplus assets – or items that seem unwanted, forgotten or left over – is theft.   

You must: 

• use resources only for authorised purposes
• use resources efficiently, effectively and carefully
• never use your position or government assets for personal gain.

Misusing public resources is a breach of trust and may be corrupt conduct. 

Find out more: 

• Corruption risks in resource use – ICAC 

Procurement of public resources

Procurement means obtaining goods and services. These may be purchased or rented.  

You might procure consumable goods, capital equipment, real property, and materials for infrastructure and construction projects. 

Agencies may also use consultancies and professional services firms to deliver specialist advice or support. 

When you procure goods or services, you must: 

• declare any conflict of interest, and work with the right person in your agency to make sure it’s managed appropriately.
• follow NSW Procurement Board directions and your agency’s policies
• act with fairness and probity
• take reasonable steps to check for modern slavery risks
• achieve value for money.  

Find out more: 

• NSW Government Procurement Policy Framework 
   

Everyone has a role in keeping the workplace safe. Always comply with the Work Health and Safety Act.   

You must: 

• familiarise yourself with the work, health and safety arrangements at your workplace
• take reasonable care of your own health and safety
• not put others at risk
• report WHS risks to your manager or through your agency’s process
• follow your agency’s WHS policy (if any).  

If you manage people, you may have extra responsibilities to protect your team and others in your workplace. 

Find out more: 

• WHS responsibilities – SafeWork NSW
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011