Council's Code of Conduct

Brisbane City Council's Code of Conduct (The Code) provides guidance to employees about what Council expects of them and what they can expect in return.

A copy of Council's Code of Conduct is available for download:

Conduct standards

The Code also informs the public of the standards they can expect when dealing with Council.

Conduct standards relate to the following four recognised principles of ethical behaviour in the public sector:

  • integrity and impartiality 
  • promoting the public good
  • commitment to the system of government
  • accountability and transparency.

The Code guides Council's employees in applying these ethical principles in situations such as:

  • customer service
  • workplace relationships
  • work practices and performance
  • work environment
  • conflicts of interest
  • relationships with suppliers
  • gifts, benefits and entertainment
  • outside employment
  • resources and assets
  • confidentiality of information
  • public comment and release of corporate information.

The Code includes information about what to do if you feel there's been a Code of Conduct breach.

Business ethics

Council Councillors and employees work to achieve high standards of integrity and accountability when doing business with, and delivering services to the community.

You can help Council maintain its high standards of service and delivery by:

  • respecting the ethical principles that public officials work by, as set out in the Queensland Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld)
  • not pressuring councillors and/or employees to overlook ethical obligations
  • avoiding collusion and unfair practices
  • disclosing likely conflicts of interest 
  • keeping privileged information confidential 
  • providing accurate information
  • helping to deter unethical practices and/or fraud by reporting your concerns.

Benefits and gifts

Councillors and Council employees should not accept gifts or benefits unless it is in accordance with Council policy. Councillors and employees must refuse gifts, benefits or offers of hospitality where there is a perceived, or actual, conflict of interest.

A job well done can be recognised by letter to the Lord Mayor or Chief Executive Officer:

Brisbane City Council 
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001.

Responsible reporting

Unethical conduct or fraud by councillors or Council employees is not acceptable and should be reported to Council's Ethical Standards Branch or the Crime and Corruption Commission. Reports, based on honest beliefs and reasonable grounds, will be investigated promptly, professionally and in confidence.

Council is committed to upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in its management and administrative practices. It encourages the making of disclosures in accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 to reveal public interest information at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

Council personnel or members of the public who are aware of any activity or incident involving wrongdoing that could impact adversely on the operation of Council are encouraged to speak up.

Download the Public Interest Disclosure Procedure (Word - 121.37kb).

More information

For more information contact Council, or phone Ethical Standards on 07 3403 6797.

Last updated:

Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.