Stewardship

Why stewardship matters 

As NSW Government sector employees, we are custodians of our system of government. We manage public funds, deliver services, and maintain trust in our institutions. A stewardship mindset helps us act in ways that protect and strengthen the sector over time. 

Our decisions and actions affect the people of NSW now and for generations to come. Adopting a stewardship mindset helps preserve public trust in our institutions and ensures we leave them better than we found them. 

What stewardship means 

In the NSW Government sector, stewardship is the careful and responsible management of resources and responsibilities entrusted to us, for the benefit of the people of NSW. 

A stewardship mindset is: 

• evidence-based – informed by data and experience
• forward-looking – considering long-term impacts beyond election cycles
• ethical – aligned with integrity, fairness and the public good
• collaborative – recognising that good stewardship is a shared responsibility. 

​​​​None of us can do this alone. The integrity of the NSW Government sector is connected to individual as well as collective effort.​​ 

Stewardship in practice 

Stewardship should be part of everyday decision-making. This includes: 

• maintaining trust – living the core NSW Government sector values of integrity, trust, service and accountability
• taking care – managing and maintaining information responsibly, with effective governance and risk management processes
• thinking long term – considering future generations and long-term impacts in all decisions in a way that looks beyond election cycles
• preserving knowledge – keeping clear records to explain decisions
• managing resources responsibly – using financial, human and natural resources effectively, efficiently and ethically
• providing frank and fearless advice – giving honest, evidence-based advice, including on the long-term effects of proposed policies. 

How to apply stewardship 

Stewardship is about accountability – taking ownership of our decisions both in the moment and over time. It should be embedded in our day-to-day decision-making processes. 

We demonstrate stewardship when we: 

• analyse past actions and learn from them
• consider the impacts of our decisions on different groups
• reflect on and address unintended consequences
• support systems and cultures that promote long-term thinking
• keep records that explain the reasons for our decisions. 

Stewardship is a skill we can develop. It requires deliberate actions, a willingness to learn, and a workplace culture that encourages openness and psychological safety.