Key action
If you have a conflict of interest, you must declare it on your organisation’s form.
This will usually be similar to the model declaration and management plan form we offer to organisations.
In certain circumstances, you must also complete the form as a precaution, even if no conflict of interest exists. It provides a record that due consideration has been given to the matter.
This helps to strengthen your organisation’s culture of integrity.
Follow your organisation’s policy
The guidance below is based on the model policy we offer, which most public sector organisations use or adapt. Always check and follow your organisation’s policy.
Complete the declaration form in these circumstances
You must complete the model declaration and management plan form in these circumstances:
Conflict identified
If you identify that you have a conflict of interest (actual, potential or perceived).
For further information that can help you identify a conflict read Step 1: Identify a conflict of interest.
Declarable association
A declarable association is a current or recent association with a person, group or organisation that you are aware or should reasonably suspect of being engaged in serious unlawful activity, now or in the past. The association is declarable if a conflict of interest exists (actual, potential or perceived).
For more information see our guidance on declarable associations. As part of its policy, your organisation may instruct you to follow this guidance.
Your organisation may have a different requirement
Some organisations have a stricter definition or requirements about declarable associations.
For example, some require the association to be declared even if no conflict of interest exists. This is more likely to occur if your organisation is vulnerable in this area due to its functions or operating environment.
Check your organisation’s policy if this situation is relevant to you.
Always follow your organisation’s policy.
Consensual personal relationship
If you’re in a consensual personal relationship with an employee or employees of your organisation you must declare it if:
- a direct hierarchical relationship exists, or
- no direct hierarchical relationship exists but a conflict of interest arises.
Direct hierarchical relationships
A direct hierarchical relationship is where the employees involved are:
- at different levels of seniority in the organisation, and
- in the same direct reporting line.
For more information see our guidance on consensual personal relationships. As part of its policy, your organisation may instruct you to follow this guidance.
Stricter requirements
Some organisations have stricter requirements about consensual personal relationships.
Check your organisation’s policy if this situation is relevant to you.
Always follow your organisation’s policy.
Procurement panel
If you’re on a procurement panel or part of any other procurement, tendering or contract management activity, or you are part of approving any such activities or decisions, you must complete the form if:
- you have a conflict of interest, or
- your organisation’s procurement policy requires you to do so for any other reason. For example, to confirm you do not have a conflict.
This applies to all employees, not just decision makers and financial delegates.
For details see your organisation’s procurement policy.
Recruitment and selection panel
If you’re on a recruitment and selection panel, or part of approving its decisions, you must always complete the form to:
- declare a conflict of interest, or
- confirm you do not have a conflict.
For details see your organisation’s recruitment and selection policy.
Outside employment
Before you engage in outside employment, check your organisation’s Outside Employment policy. You may need approval to engage in other paid employment or to carry on any business, profession or trade. Check with your manager about approval requirements.
In addition, complete this form to:
- declare a conflict of interest, or
- confirm you do not have a conflict.
When engaged in outside employment
If you’re engaged in outside employment and a conflict later arises at any time, you must declare it.
For details see your organisation’s outside employment policy.
Volunteering
Note: if a conflict of interest arises in relation to voluntary work, declare it under the general heading of ‘Conflict of interest has been identified’ on the form.
Political candidates and office bearers
Being an official office bearer in a political party
If you hold an official office in a political party you must always complete the form to:
- declare a conflict of interest, or
- confirm you do not have a conflict.
Standing for state or local election
If you’re standing as a candidate in a state or local government election, discuss with your manager whether a conflict of interest exists.
You must always complete the form to:
- declare a conflict of interest, or
- confirm you do not have a conflict.
For more information, see and follow our Guide for employees during election periods. The guide also has important information about standing for federal election.
Declaration of private interests (DOPI), conflict identified
Certain employees, such as executives and some financial delegates, submit an annual declaration of their private interests (DOPI).
If a conflict of interest is identified on a DOPI (unless your organisation’s policy states otherwise) then:
- it’s declared on your organisation’s usual conflict of interest declaration and management plan form (step 2), and
- the usual process for developing and recording a management plan is followed (step 3).
Some organisations differ from standard DOPI process
Some organisations differ from our standard DOPI process. For example, they record the management plan for a DOPI on the DOPI itself. Check your organisation’s policy if this situation is relevant to you.
Directed by your manager
You must complete the conflict of interest declaration and management plan form if your manager directs you to do so for any other reason.
For example, as a precaution due to the high risk of a conflict of interest inherent in a work task or a private interest.