Code of conduct policy template
A free, ready-to-edit code of conduct policy template for Australian workplaces. Define the ethical and professional standards expected of every team member, protect your culture and set clear consequences for breaches — no signup required.
Code of conduct policy
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By downloading, you agree to our template disclaimer
This code of conduct policy template reflects Australian workplace standards and Fair Work principles at the time of publication and is provided as a general guide to adapt for your business. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Why your workplace needs a code of conduct
A code of conduct sets out the ethical and professional standards expected of everyone at your organisation. It bridges your core values with day-to-day behaviour, so employees know what ‘doing the right thing’ looks like before a problem ever arises.
Without a clear code, conduct issues are handled inconsistently — which exposes you to disputes, unfair dismissal claims and damage to your culture. A documented policy gives managers a fair, consistent basis for employee discipline and shows you’ve set reasonable expectations. It works alongside your harassment & bullying policy and conflict of interest policy to form the backbone of a respectful workplace.
A good code applies to everyone — full-time, part-time, casual, contractors and directors. Using HR software helps you distribute the policy, capture acknowledgements at onboarding and keep an audit trail of who has agreed to it.
What a code of conduct should cover
The core areas every Australian code of conduct should address
Core values & professionalism
Integrity, honesty and respect — plus expectations for attendance, punctuality and appearance.
Anti-harassment & diversity
A safe, inclusive workplace free from harassment, bullying and discrimination.
Conflicts of interest
Disclosing personal or financial interests and rules on gifts and favours.
Confidentiality & data privacy
Protecting sensitive information about the business, its clients and its people.
Company assets & technology
Responsible, business-purpose use of funds, equipment, devices and networks.
Reporting & disciplinary action
How to report a breach, protection from retaliation and the consequences of violations.
What's included in this template
A comprehensive framework covering every aspect of workplace conduct
Purpose & scope
What the code is for and who it applies to — employees, contractors, interns and directors.
Core values
The values that underpin expected behaviour, from integrity to accountability.
Professional conduct
Standards for attendance, punctuality, appearance and respectful collaboration.
Anti-harassment & equal opportunity
Commitment to a workplace free from harassment, bullying and discrimination.
Conflicts of interest
Disclosure requirements and rules around gifts, bribes and favours.
Confidentiality
How to protect financial records, employee data, trade secrets and strategy.
Company assets & technology
Responsible use of company resources, devices, internet and proprietary information.
Reporting violations
Who to contact, how reports are handled and protection from retaliation.
Disciplinary actions
The range of outcomes from verbal warnings through to termination.
Acknowledgement
Employee sign-off confirming they have read, understood and agreed to the code.
Writing and enforcing your code of conduct
How to make the policy fair, clear and defensible
Tailor it to your business
Adapt the template to your industry, size and any modern award or enterprise agreement. A healthcare, retail or construction workplace will each need different examples — and you may want a section for remote or hybrid work.
Enforce it consistently
A code is only effective if it’s applied the same way for everyone. Pair it with a fair misconduct process and document each step so disciplinary decisions are consistent and defensible.
How a breach is handled
Report
An employee raises a concern with their manager, HR or an anonymous channel.
Investigate
The matter is reviewed fairly and confidentially, with both sides heard.
Respond
Outcomes range from a verbal or written warning to dismissal for serious breaches.
Protect
Good-faith reporters are protected from retaliation throughout the process.
Minor infractions may lead to a verbal or written warning, while serious breaches — theft, violence or severe harassment — can warrant immediate dismissal.
Communicate the code during onboarding and whenever it’s updated, and have every employee acknowledge it in writing. For the supporting process, see our guides on how to implement a new policy and how to conduct a workplace investigation.
Who should use this template?
Every employer benefits from a clear, documented code of conduct
Especially valuable for growing teams where informal expectations no longer scale.
Compliance resources
Official guidance to help you align your code of conduct with Australian standards.
Manage your policies the easy way
RosterElf helps Australian businesses store policies, capture employee acknowledgements at onboarding and keep an audit trail — all in one place.
Related guides
Learn more about implementing and enforcing your code
Related templates
Build out your conduct framework with these related documents
Harassment & bullying policy
Set clear standards against harassment, bullying and discrimination.
View templateConflict of interest policy
Define how staff disclose and manage personal or financial conflicts.
View templatePolicy acknowledgement form
Capture written sign-off that employees have read your policies.
View templateBehaviour management policy
Set expectations for workplace behaviour and how managers address conduct issues.
View templateWorkplace behaviour standards policy
Define the standards of behaviour expected from everyone at work.
View templateCode of conduct policy FAQ
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Start with your organisation’s purpose and core values, then define the standards of behaviour expected of everyone — professionalism, anti-harassment, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and use of company assets. Explain how to report a breach and what disciplinary action may follow, and finish with an acknowledgement section. This template gives you that full structure; you simply tailor the examples to your business.
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A complete code of conduct should include the purpose and scope, core values, professional-conduct expectations (attendance, punctuality, appearance), an anti-harassment and equal-opportunity commitment, conflict-of-interest rules, confidentiality and data-privacy obligations, acceptable use of company assets and technology, a reporting process with protection from retaliation, disciplinary consequences, and an employee acknowledgement.
Before you download
General information only — not legal advice
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.