Conflict of Interest policy template
A comprehensive policy guiding employees on identifying, disclosing and managing conflicts between personal interests and work duties. Essential for maintaining trust, integrity and ethical business decisions.
Conflict of interest policy
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What is a conflict of interest?
A conflict of interest occurs when an employee's personal interests could influence, or appear to influence, their professional judgement or decisions. Even the appearance of a conflict can damage trust and reputation.
Conflicts aren't always obvious or intentional. An employee might not realise that their financial investment in a supplier, or a family relationship with a candidate they're interviewing, creates a conflict that needs to be disclosed.
The goal isn't to eliminate all conflicts — that's often impossible — but to identify them, disclose them transparently, and manage them appropriately so they don't compromise integrity or decision-making. HR software can help you maintain a register of declared interests and track disclosure acknowledgements.
Common types of conflicts
Situations that may create a conflict of interest
Financial interests
Owning shares in suppliers, competitors, or businesses you deal with professionally.
Outside employment
Working for or consulting to other businesses that compete with or supply your employer.
Personal relationships
Having family members or close friends in roles you supervise, hire or make decisions about.
Board positions
Serving on boards of organisations that interact with your employer.
Hiring decisions
Being involved in recruitment of someone you have a personal relationship with.
Gifts & benefits
Receiving gifts that could influence, or appear to influence, your business decisions.
What's included in this template
A comprehensive framework for managing conflicts of interest
Purpose & principles
Why managing conflicts of interest matters for integrity and trust.
Definitions
What constitutes actual, potential and perceived conflicts.
Types of conflicts
Common scenarios including financial, personal and employment conflicts.
Disclosure requirements
When and how to declare potential conflicts.
Assessment process
How disclosed conflicts are evaluated and managed.
Management strategies
Options for managing conflicts including restriction, reassignment or monitoring.
Register of interests
How conflicts are documented and reviewed.
Consequences of non-disclosure
Outcomes for failing to declare conflicts.
Review & acknowledgement
Policy maintenance and employee sign-off.
Why conflict of interest management matters
Proactively managing conflicts of interest protects your business in several ways:
- Maintains trust
Stakeholders trust decisions made without hidden influences or biases
- Protects reputation
Avoiding even the appearance of impropriety protects your brand
- Reduces legal risk
Documented conflict management demonstrates good governance
- Supports fair decisions
Removes conflicts from decision-making ensures merit-based outcomes
Who should use this template?
This template is valuable for businesses across all industries
Legal disclaimer
This template is designed to reflect Australian workplace standards and Fair Work principles at the time of publication. It is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor this template to suit your business, industry, modern award, enterprise agreement and specific workplace circumstances. For complex situations or disputes, seek independent legal or HR advice.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with Australian employment and workplace standards.
Ready to manage conflicts transparently?
Download our Conflict of Interest policy template and build a culture of integrity and transparency in your workplace.
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View templateDisclaimer
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.