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Last updated: June 2008
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I use the Frequent Flyer points I have earned through work, for my own personal use?
Australian Public Service (APS) employees must be scrupulous in the use of Commonwealth resources, including money, credit cards, goods, services, vehicles, office equipment, official records (including electronic records) and telecommunications and information technology applications. In short, Commonwealth resources should not be used for private gain.
APS employees may join a frequent flyer scheme for official purposes. However, it is government policy that APS employees are not to obtain a personal benefit from points accrued while travelling on official business. This includes upgrading travel unless authorised by the agency to do so.
Using frequent flyer points for private purposes may be a breach of the APS Code of Conduct (the Code) and may result in misconduct action. Similarly, APS employees who redeem points after resigning or retiring from the APS may be prosecuted under the Criminal Code.
The APS Values and the Code in sections 10 and 13 of the Public Service Act 1999 respectively, include that:
- 10(d) The APS has the highest ethical standards
- 13(1) An APS employee must behave honestly and with integrity in the course of APS employment
- 13(4) An APS employee, when acting in the course of APS employment, must comply with all applicable Australian laws
- 13(8) An APS employee must use Commonwealth resources in a proper manner
- 13(10) An APS employee must not make improper use of: (a) inside information or (b) the employee's duties, status, power or authority in order to gain, or seek to gain, a benefit or advantage for the employee or for any other person.
In addition, the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) sets out the responsibilities of APS employees, regarding public money and property. In particular, under the FMA Act, Agency Heads must manage their agency in a way that promotes the efficient, effective and ethical use of Commonwealth resources.
REFERENCES:
Chapter 8 (Using Commonwealth resources) in APS Values and Code of Conduct in Practice – A Guide to Official Conduct for APS Employees and Agency Heads (2006)
