Code of Conduct Policy Template - Australia

Purpose and legal effect of a code of conduct policy

A Code of Conduct Policy sets out the principles, values, and behavioural standards that govern how individuals are expected to interact with colleagues, clients, stakeholders, and the broader community in a professional context. While it is not a contract, the policy forms part of an organisation’s compliance framework and may be enforceable through internal disciplinary processes.

This template has been designed to:

• Promote ethical, respectful, and accountable behaviour aligned with the organisation’s values;
• Define acceptable and unacceptable conduct, including conflicts of interest, misuse of resources, confidentiality, and respectful communication;
• Reinforce obligations under workplace legislation including the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), Work Health and Safety Acts, Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and relevant state anti-discrimination laws;
• Clarify the responsibility of staff to report misconduct, breaches of policy, or unlawful activity;
• Support transparency, fairness, and integrity in the organisation’s operations.

Having a clear Code of Conduct fosters a positive workplace culture, reduces reputational and legal risk, and provides a basis for managing behavioural issues and performance concerns.

Instructions for completion

Customisation and adaptation

This template should be tailored to reflect the specific culture, industry obligations, and operational risks of the organisation. Areas for customisation may include:

• Inclusion of organisation-specific values or professional standards;
• References to internal procedures (e.g. disciplinary policy, grievance handling, or whistleblower protection);
• Role-specific expectations (e.g. for managers, board members, or public-facing employees);
• Industry-specific regulatory or ethical requirements (e.g. for finance, education, or health).

Legal and compliance considerations

The Code of Conduct should be consistent with applicable legal and regulatory obligations, including:

• Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – general protections, workplace rights, and employer obligations;
• Work Health and Safety Acts – psychological safety, bullying, and respectful behaviour;
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) – confidentiality and handling of personal or sensitive data;
• Anti-corruption, whistleblower, and public sector integrity legislation (where applicable).

Legal advice should be obtained (e.g. from Maguire Legal at [email protected]) where:

• The organisation operates in regulated or high-risk sectors;
• The policy interacts with contractual obligations, industrial instruments, or codes of ethics;
• There is ambiguity regarding enforcement, disciplinary thresholds, or rights of appeal.

Supplementary notes

• This policy should be formally adopted by the organisation and distributed to all staff.
• It should be included in induction training and periodically re-acknowledged (e.g. annually).
• A signed acknowledgment form may be retained on file confirming that the employee has read, understood, and agreed to comply.
• The policy should be reviewed periodically to ensure consistency with evolving legal and operational standards.

Copyright and intellectual property notice

This document and its contents are subject to copyright protection under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and all applicable intellectual property legislation. Unauthorised use, duplication, adaptation, or distribution is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of Maguire Legal. Citation of excerpts is permitted only where full attribution is provided.

Legal disclaimer

This document has been prepared by Maguire Legal for general guidance purposes only. It does not constitute, and is not intended to constitute, legal advice. No warranties or representations are made as to its legal effect or suitability for specific circumstances. Users must exercise their own judgment and obtain independent legal advice prior to reliance. Maguire Legal disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising from use of this document in whole or in part.

About Maguire Legal

Maguire Legal is an Australian law firm combining legal advice on all aspects of Australian employment, commercial, corporate and workplace relations law with exceptional business research skills and management development designed to build business capability in Australian enterprises of all types and size.