Public service ethics
The Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 outlines the ethics principles fundamental to good public administration. It requires public service agencies and public sector entities to develop and implement a code of conduct based on these ethics principles:
- integrity and impartiality
- promoting the public good
- commitment to the system of government
- accountability and transparency.
The Public Sector Ethics Act distinguishes between public service agencies and public sector entities. These terms have different meanings to the terms under the Public Sector Act 2022 (the Public Sector Act).
The Public Service Code of Conduct applies to public service agencies which includes:
- departments
- an entity mentioned in schedule 1 of the Public Sector Act (noting that this list changes from time to time as new public service entities are established, changed or abolished)
- TAFE Queensland
- administrative offices of a court or tribunal
- entities prescribed as public service agencies under the Public Sector Ethics Regulation 2023.
See the Public Service Code of Conduct.
Public service agencies can develop and implement their own policies and procedures with additional standards of conduct.
Public sector entities must develop and implement a Code of Conduct.
The meaning of public sector entity under the Public Sector Ethics Act covers a broader range of government bodies than those captured by the term under the Public Sector Act. This includes:
- parliamentary service
- local governments
- universities established under a Queensland Act
- entities established under an Act or under a State or local government authorisation for a public, State or local government purpose
- entities prescribed under the Public Sector Ethics Regulation 2023.
Your Code of Conduct:
- must relate to your entity
- must be applicable to all public officials in your entity
- can be applicable to contractors and their employees, volunteers, and students on work experience with your entity.
- must be approved by the relevant authority responsible for the entity as prescribed in the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (e.g. chief executive officer of a local government or for a university, the vice-chancellor of the university).
Where a public sector entity seeks to use the Public Service Code of Conduct as their Code of Conduct, the entity must be prescribed as a public service agency under the Public Sector Ethics Regulation 2023.
A public sector entity seeking to be prescribed as a public service agency should contact the Public Sector Commission via email at commission.psc@psc.qld.gov.au requesting the Public Sector Commission consider an amendment to the Public Sector Ethics Regulation 2023.
The Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 does not apply to:
- a government-owned corporation
- a corporation owned by a local government, or a subsidiary of a corporation owned by a local government
- the following entities under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (parents and citizens associations, non-State schools and advisory committees).
Public service agencies and public sector entities have annual reporting obligations under the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994. This includes information about the implementation of the Code of Conduct and any standards of practice, and details of education and training provided to employees during the reporting period.
Talk to your HR or ethical standards team for more.