Principles & Code of Conduct

Principles

1. The SES is an apolitical organisation, performing its functions in an impartial, ethical and professional manner.
2. The SES is a public service in which employment decisions are based on merit. A decision relating to appointment or promotion is based on merit if:
   • an assessment is made of the relative suitability of the candidates for the duties
   • the assessment is based on the relationship between the candidates’ work-related qualities and the qualities genuinely required for performing the duties
   • the assessment focuses on the relative capacity of the candidates to achieve outcomes related to the duties
   • the assessment is the primary consideration in making the decision.
3. The SES provides a workplace that is free from discrimination and recognises, utilises and values the diversity of the community it serves.
4. The SES is accountable for its actions and performance, within the framework of the:
   • Emergency Management Act 2006
   • Department of Police and Emergency Management
   • council (for municipal SES volunteer units)
   • accepted community norms and standards.
5. The SES is responsive to the government in providing honest, comprehensive, accurate and timely advice and in implementing the government’s policies and programs.
6. The SES delivers services fairly and impartially to the community.
7. The SES develops leadership of the highest quality.
8. The SES establishes workplace practices that encourage communication, consultation, cooperation and input from employees and its volunteers on matters that affect their work and workplace.
9. The SES provides a fair, flexible, safe and rewarding workplace.
10. The SES focuses on managing its performance and achieving results.
11. The SES promotes equity in the workplace.
12. The SES provides a reasonable opportunity to members of the community to apply for SES employment and volunteer work.
13. The SES provides a fair system of review of decisions taken in respect of members.

Code of Conduct

1. An SES member must behave honestly and with integrity.
2. An SES member must act with care and diligence in the course of SES work.
3. An SES member, when acting in the course of SES work, must treat everyone with respect and without harassment, victimisation or discrimination.
4. An SES member, when acting in the course of SES work, must comply with all applicable Australian law. ‘Australian law’ means:
   • any Act (including the Emergency Management Act 2006) or any instrument made under an Actor
   • any law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory, including any instrument made under such a law.
5. An SES member must comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given by the Head of Agency, Director SES, or their delegate.
6. An SES member must maintain appropriate confidentiality about dealings of, and information acquired by, the member in the course of that member’s SES work.
7. An SES member must disclose, and take reasonable steps to avoid, any conflict of interest in connection with the member’s SES work.
8. An SES member must use SES resources in a proper manner.
9. An SES member must not knowingly provide false or misleading information in connection with the member’s work.
10. An SES member must not make improper use of information gained in the course of their work the member’s duties, status, power or authority in order to gain, or seek to gain, a gift, benefit or advantage for the member or for any other person.
11. An SES member must declare any gifts received in the course of SES work (SES employees, with the Director SES, and SES volunteers, with their SES Regional Managers).
12. An SES member must behave in a way that upholds the SES Principles.
13. An SES member must at all times behave in a way that does not adversely affect the integrity and good reputation of the SES and State Service.

Note: A ‘member’, unless specified, includes SES employees and volunteers.