Declaration of interests

Published

In accordance with section 13(7) of the Code of Conduct contained in the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act), an APS employee must:

  • take reasonable steps to avoid any conflict of interest (real or apparent) in connection with the employee's APS employment; and
  • disclose details of any material personal interest of the employee in connection with the employee's APS employment.

Agency heads and Senior Executive Service (SES) employees are subject to a specific regime that requires them to submit, at least annually, a written declaration of their own and their immediate family’s financial and other material personal interests.

To whom this declaration must be made will depend on the employee’s role. Generally, SES employees declare their interests to their agency head, and agency heads declare their interests to the Minister. Statutory office holders generally declare their interests to the Minister and in accordance with any requirements in legislation specific to their office.

Declarations need to be revised and resubmitted whenever there is a change in personal circumstances and/or a change in work responsibilities that could involve a new real or apparent conflict of interest.

Agency heads may also require other employees to complete a declaration of interests.

Two templates that agencies may wish to adapt for this purpose are available below:

While there is no standard list of items that must be disclosed, the templates provide examples of the types of interests and relationships that could be considered.

A template privacy collection notice is also available for agencies to adapt:

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