Product Overview

This professionally drafted Code of Conduct template is designed specifically for Australian workplaces to support strong work health and safety (WHS) performance, ethical behaviour and legal compliance. It clearly sets out expected standards of conduct for employees, contractors and volunteers, and integrates WHS obligations throughout, ensuring your organisation can demonstrate a proactive approach to safety and risk management.

Developed by WHS and HR specialists, this document provides a practical framework to manage behaviour, reduce psychosocial risks, and support a positive safety culture. It is suitable for organisations of all sizes and industries that need clear, consistent and defensible safety documentation.

Key Features

• Comprehensive coverage of behavioural expectations, including respect, integrity and professionalism.
• Strong emphasis on work health and safety duties, hazard reporting, incident management and consultation.
• Detailed sections on bullying, harassment, discrimination and workplace violence, aligned with Australian WHS guidance on psychosocial risks.
• Clear guidance on drugs and alcohol, fitness for work, fatigue and mental health.
• Provisions for conflicts of interest, confidentiality, privacy and use of company resources.
• Structured reporting and investigation processes for misconduct and WHS breaches.
• Checklists and tables to support implementation, communication and recordkeeping.

Benefits

• Supports WHS compliance with Australian legislation by clearly linking behavioural standards to legal duties.
• Reduces safety, legal and reputational risks through clearly defined expectations and consequences.
• Saves time for HR, safety and management teams by providing a ready-to-use, comprehensive code rather than drafting from scratch.
• Helps prevent bullying, harassment and other psychosocial hazards, contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce.
• Provides a defensible framework for performance management and disciplinary action when standards are breached.
• Strengthens your overall safety documentation suite and supports audits, inspections and due diligence processes.

Who is this for?

This Code of Conduct template is ideal for:

• Small to medium businesses seeking to formalise behavioural and WHS expectations.
• Large organisations wanting a consistent, best-practice code across multiple sites.
• HR, People & Culture and WHS managers responsible for policy development and safety documentation.
• Business owners, directors and officers needing evidence of due diligence in relation to WHS compliance.
• Consultants and advisors supporting clients with governance, culture and safety management systems.

Legislation & References

This document is informed by key Australian legislation and guidance, including the Work Health and Safety Acts and Regulations in relevant jurisdictions, Safe Work Australia guidance on psychosocial hazards and workplace behaviour, and good practice in governance and conduct management. While it does not replace legal advice, it provides a robust, practical foundation to help your organisation meet its WHS compliance obligations and demonstrate a clear commitment to safe, respectful and lawful conduct at work.