Code of Conduct

All Austrade employees must comply with high standards of conduct and business ethics, as exemplified in the APS Code of Conduct.

The APS Code of Conduct applies to A-based staff through the provisions of the Public Service Act 1999. Overseas Engaged Employees (OEE) are bound by the OEE Code of Conduct which embodies the APS principles of conduct. Austrade A-based staff working overseas also sign the A-Based Staff Overseas Code of Conduct before taking up a post overseas.

Austrade’s Code of Ethical Business Conduct regulates the behaviour of all Austrade employees and provides employees with guidelines for dealing with ethical questions and a basis from which the public may assess Austrade’s integrity. In conducting our business Austrade employees will:

• Deal honestly and in good faith with those within and outside Austrade who are affected by our actions.
• Respect the dignity and privacy of fellow Austrade employees.
• Pursue no business opportunity that requires violation of law or of these principles.
• Undertake only those business activities that we are willing to submit to public scrutiny and debate.
• Disclose any conflict of interest regarding our responsibility to Austrade and remove the conflict where appropriate.
• Treat each other with mutual trust and respect and provide an environment where individuals may question an Austrade practice without suffering any disadvantage. 
• Protect and preserve Austrade’s assets and use them in a cost effective and prudent manner.

In pursuing the Code of Ethical Business Conduct, Austrade employees will:

• Work in the public interest. Employees and staff of Austrade must at all times safeguard the interest of their clients and Australia, provided that they do not conflict with the duties and loyalties owed to the community, its laws and social and political institutions. 
• Work with honesty and integrity. Employees must not breach the public trust or the specific trust of Austrade clients. In dealing with fellow staff members or Austrade’s clients, employees should at all times act in good faith and deal honestly.
• Work with objectivity. Employees must be objective, impartial and free of conflict of interest in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. 
• Work competently. Employees must bring due care and diligence to bear upon the conduct of their duties and responsibilities to both clients and Australia. They must not undertake tasks which they cannot reasonably expect to complete with due care and diligence; when in doubt they must obtain such advice and assistance as will enable them to carry out the work competently. 
• Respect the confidentiality of information we are given. Employees must be prudent in the use of information acquired in the course of their duties. They must not divulge or use, any confidential information other than as required in the course of the employment without prior written approval. Nor shall the information be used in a manner that may be in breach of a law or harmful to Austrade, Australia or other clients. Section 94 of the Australian Trade Commission Act 1985 provides sanctions for any officer disclosing information acquired in the course of his or her official duty, except for the purpose of conducting Austrade business. 
• Be conscious of Austrade’s image. Employees must refrain from knowingly engaging in acts or activities which may discredit Austrade or Australia. 
• Be conscious of the perception to others of accepting gifts and other benefits. Employees must not solicit or accept anything of value from a client or associate which might interfere with the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. The very acceptance of a gift may create the perception that the officer’s integrity has been compromised and this should be avoided. 
• Act in compliance with Austrade policies. Employees must comply with all policies, procedures, guidance and laws set by Austrade or Australia.  
• Strive for continuous improvement. Employees must aim to ensure Austrade services and service delivery methods remain current and relevant to client firms in working towards the Austrade Mission.