Code of Conduct for Executives

The Code of Conduct and Ethics for Public Sector Executives was published by the Department of Premier and Cabinet in December 1997. It was developed in conjunction with the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Ombudsman.

All Chief and Senior Executive Service Officers are required to comply with this Code as a condition of their contract of employment, in addition to meeting the requirements of their own agency's Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct and Ethics for Public Sector Executives sets out the values and behaviours expected and the obligations of executives, and is underpinned by the following ethical principles:

• Integrity
• Impartiality
• Responsiveness to the public interest
• Accountability
• Honesty.

Lead Agency and Further Help

The lead agency is the Public Sector Workforce Office, Department of Premier and Cabinet. Your agency may have a person responsible or a policy in relation to the above. Refer to them first.

• SES Guidelines: a Manual for Senior Executive Service Administrators and Officers (4th edition, 2005) provides comprehensive advice on the legislative and policy framework for the employment of Officers in the Chief Executive Service and the Senior Executive Service of the New South Wales public sector, and is available from the Senior Executive Service page of the Premier's Department website – Public Sector Workforce Office, Department of Premier and Cabinet.