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Circular 2026/03: APS Gifts and Benefits Guidance Review

Published

Purpose

  1. The purpose of this Circular is to inform agencies the Australian Public Service Commission has published new Gifts and Benefits Guidance.
  2. The new Guidance supersedes the Commission’s previous Guidance for Agency Heads – Gifts and Benefits,which was first issued in October 2019.
  3. To assist agencies with implementation, the Commission has also published a Model Gifts and Benefits Policy, which meets the minimum requirements set out in the Guidance and suggests better internal integrity practices to support APSemployees, Agency Heads and statutory office holders to meet their legal and ethical obligations.
  4. Additional supporting advice and resources, including illustrative cases studies and decision-making assistance tools, are provided for all APS employees and senior officials to understand the integrity risks of accepting gifts and benefits and make ethical decisions when engaging with stakeholders, ensuring public trust and confidence in the integrity of the APS.
  5. APS agencies must bring their internal gifts and benefits policies, systems and processes in line with the minimum requirements by 31 January 2027.
  6. Agencies will be expected to demonstrate compliance with the Guidance through their public gifts and benefits registers and reporting quarterly to the Commission.

Gifts and Benefits

  1. Gifts and Benefits mean any free or discounted goods or services offered or made available to an APS official in connection with their official role or duties by an external entity or individual.
  2. They include tangible goods, services, hospitality, transport or accommodation, offered in a range of situations where APS employees, Agency Heads and statutory office holders interact with external entities and individuals as part of their official role or duties.
  3. The new Guidance makes clear the primary principle that APS officials must not accept gifts or benefits in circumstances where their professionalism, impartiality, or accountability could be affected or could reasonably be perceived to be affected; or where the integrity and reputation of their agency or the APS could be undermined.
  4. In line with the APS Conflict of Interest Risk Management Framework the new Guidance also includes a stronger emphasis on the importance of effective internal agency policies, systems and processes to identify and prevent integrity risks, ensure awareness and communication to individuals and their supervisors, monitor and assure compliance, and enhance accountability and transparency.

Changes to Gifts and Benefits Guidance

  1. The new Guidance applies to all APS employees, not just Agency Heads – and extends the same expectations to statutory office holders in APS agencies.
  2. The Guidance provides greater clarity about the legal and ethical obligations that all APS officials must comply with as individuals under various legislative frameworks, including clear advice about upholding the APS Values and Code of Conduct, avoiding bribes and preventing of corrupt conduct, and ensuring proper resource management.
  3. New additions to the guidance include:
    • a set of nine minimum requirements for agency risk assessment and control, individual declaration and public reporting, which must be reflected in agency policies
    • advice on the limited circumstances in which acceptance of gifts and benefits in an official context may be permissible
    • recommendations for agency better practice in addition to the minimum requirements, particularly for agencies with regulatory or integrity oversight responsibilities, agencies with close policy and program delivery engagement with people and business, and individuals undertaking higher-integrity risk roles or activities
    • an updated public reporting register template to ensure consistency across the APS.
  4. The mandatory minimum declaration threshold of A$100.00(GST exclusive) for gifts and benefits will continue, but agencies are encouraged to apply a lower declaration threshold and additional policy controls if necessary, according to an assessment of enterprise risk.

What should agencies do next?

  1. Agencies should review their current gifts and benefits handling policies, systems and process to ensure they meet the minimum requirements in the Guidance and are well positioned to commence reporting against the new guidance from April 2027.

Further information

  1. For further information please visit the APSC’s Gifts and Benefits Webpage.
  2. Agencies seeking further advice and support can contact the APSC at gifts@apsc.gov.au.
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Acknowledgement of Country

The APSC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.