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Code of Conduct
Australian Securities 
and Investments Commission
July 2019

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Message from the Chair
Our Vision is for a fair, strong and efficient financial system for all 
Australians. It is at the heart of everything we do at ASIC.
Achieving our Vision depends on the integrity of our people. It is 
important for ASIC’s stakeholders, the people we regulate and the 
public to have confidence in what we do.
The purpose of ASIC’s Code of Conduct is to guide our behaviours, 
choices and how we undertake our duties. The Code sets clear 
expectations about the standard of professionalism expected of 
everyone who works at ASIC and how we interact with each other and 
our external stakeholders.
Importantly, the Code is the foundation of our inclusive and 
diverse workplace where our col eagues, our stakeholders and our 
communities are treated with fairness and respect.
James Shipton 
Chair
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  2

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Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Contents
Message from the Chair
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Reporting suspected breaches of 
ASIC expects you to:
ASIC expects you to:
this Code
Purpose
1.  Be accountable
8.  Perform work with competence, 
Investigations
Scope
2.  At all times comply with the law 
care and diligence
Consequences
Familiarisation
and ASIC’s policies
9.  Act in ASIC’s best interests
3.  Protect and properly use 
10. Perform your role safely
Guidance on using this Code 
Information and records
11. Treat people with care 
of Conduct
4.  Report wrongdoing
and respect
5.  Treat people respectfully
12. Act with integrity
Vision, Mission and Values
6.  Be honest and act with integrity
13. Notify poor behaviour at work
ASIC’s Vision
7.  Refrain from public comment
ASIC’s Mission
Managing conflicts
ASIC expects you to:

ASIC’s Values
14. Disclose conflicts of interest
Accountability
15. Use Information and 
Professionalism
resources properly
Teamwork
16. Act responsibly with respect to 
gifts or hospitality
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  3

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Purpose
In performing ASIC’s functions, we interact with a variety of people each day including the public, 
our regulated population, government, and col eagues. This Code of Conduct sets out ASIC’s 
expectations of how to live ASIC’s Values through your day‑to‑day interactions with others. In particular, 
it sets out the standards of behaviour that ASIC expects from you and your col eagues.
Scope
Familiarisation
This Code should guide you 
in making the right choices 
This Code applies to all ASIC 
You must familiarise yourself with 
when performing your role 
employees, ASIC’s Commission 
this Code of Conduct and follow its 
or in making a decision that 
members, contractors, consultants, 
requirements. If you are unsure about 
may affect ASIC. This Code 
secondees and volunteers regardless 
how any part of the Code of Conduct 
will help us create a safe and 
of where the work is performed.
applies to you do not hesitate to 
inclusive working culture to 
seek guidance from your manager or 
achieve ASIC’s Vision of a fair, 
People and Development.
strong and efficient financial 
system for all Australians.
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  4

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Guidance on using this Code of Conduct
In considering your work at ASIC you will need to make many decisions. ASIC expects you to use this 
Code of Conduct and ASIC’s Values to guide your choices. There will be times when you need to 
exercise discretion and judgement to determine the right course of conduct. Set out below are the 
questions that you may want to ask yourself if you are unsure if a decision you are making complies with 
ASIC’s Code of Conduct or its Values.
Is it consistent with our policies?
NO
I should seek assistance or 
Does it comply with legislation?
re-think this decision so that 
I can get to YES
When faced with a choice, 
ask the fol owing:
Is it in ASIC’s best interests?
YES
Is it aligned to ASIC’s Vision, Mission and Values?
It looks like a good choice, I 
will go ahead and do it
Would it be OK if someone did this to me?
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  5

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC’s Code of Conduct sets out the behaviours ASIC expects of you 
in achieving ASIC’s Vision, working towards our Mission and living our 
Values. Together, ASIC’s Values and Code of Conduct shape how ASIC 
expects you to behave in your day‑to‑day interactions with others.
ASIC’s Vision
ASIC’s Mission
ASIC’s Vision is for a fair, strong 
Our Regulatory Mission
Our Registry Mission
and efficient financial system for 
To realise our Vision we will use all 
To realise our Vision we will provide 
all Australians.
our regulatory tools to:
efficient and accessible business 
registers that make it easier to 
 › Change behaviours to drive good 
do business.
consumer and investor outcomes.
 › Act against misconduct to 
maintain trust and integrity in the 
financial system.
 › Promote strong and 
innovative development of 
the financial system.
 › Help Australians to be in control 
of their financial lives.
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  6

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
ASIC’s Values
ASIC’s Values give its people a common understanding of what 
ASIC does and why. ASIC’s Values, set out below, underpin 
the way ASIC expects you to work, the way you make decisions 
and how you interact with others.
Accountability
Professionalism
Teamwork
I will be accountable by:
I will be professional by:
I will be a team player by:
 › Delivering great results.
 › Always being honest and fair in 
 › Building good, working 
 › Finding better ways to do things.
my dealings with others.
relationships across ASIC.
 › Showing personal drive 
 › Valuing and treating everyone 
 › Always considering the views 
and resilience, even when it 
with respect.
of colleagues, stakeholders 
is challenging.
 › Working in the best interests 
and customers.
of ASIC.
 › Letting people know when they 
have done a good job.
NOTE
Visit the ASIC website for 
more information

ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  7

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
ASIC and external stakeholders
In your day‑to‑day work, you interact with stakeholders including the public, our regulated population, 
other government agencies and international stakeholders. Each time that you interact with someone, 
you are representing ASIC. ASIC’s expectations of staff specified in the factors below, represent ASIC’s 
commitment to a professional standard of behaviour towards external stakeholders.
ASIC expects you to:
1.  Be accountable
2.  At all times comply with the law 
3.  Protect and properly use 
4.  Report wrongdoing
and ASIC’s policies
Information and records
Focus on achieving what is 
ASIC’s ability to achieve 
ASIC is trusted with sensitive, 
Acting in ASIC’s best  
best for the Australian public 
its mission depends on the 
personal, security classified 
interests is vital to protect 
and a fair, strong and efficient 
integrity of its people 
or confidential information 
its integrity 
financial system
(Information)
(a)  You are accountable for what 
(a)  You must at all times comply with 
(a)  You must never 
(a)  You must immediately report 
you do by efficiently providing 
applicable laws.
misuse Information.
any wrongdoing, including real 
accurate information so that our 
or suspected incidents of fraud, 
(b) You must comply with 
(b) You must manage and dispose 
colleagues and stakeholders can 
corruption, security breaches, 
ASIC’s policies.
of records in accordance with 
make informed decisions.
breaches of confidentiality, or a 
Australian laws, the Protective 
breach of this Code of Conduct.
Security Policy Framework and 
ASIC’s policies.
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  8

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
ASIC expects you to:
5.  Treat people respectfully
6.  Be honest and act with integrity
7.  Refrain from public comment
We gain better outcomes 
Honesty and integrity 
ASIC has a considered 
through respectful behaviour 
are the foundations of 
communications approach to 
 
professionalism 
information it releases publicly 
to support trust and confidence
(a)  You must at all times treat 
(a)  You must act with integrity when 
(a)  You must refrain from expressing 
ASIC’s stakeholders respectfully, 
dealing with stakeholders.
personal views about ASIC’s 
and courteously.
business or stakeholders which 
(b) You must never act in a way that 
may be attributed to ASIC, impact 
could bring ASIC into disrepute.
ASIC or influence your ability to 
(c)  You must behave honestly, 
do your role.
and impartially when dealing 
(b) You must only release ASIC’s 
with stakeholders.
Information in accordance with 
relevant policies.
The fol owing ASIC policies also 
 › Fraud Control Policy
 › Information Records 
provide guidance on the 
 › Public Interest Disclosure Policy
and Knowledge Content 
parts of the Code of Conduct 
Management Policy
set out above:
 › External Communication Policy
 › The Chair’s Resource 
 › Social Media Policy
Management Instructions
 › Scan and Destroy Policy
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  9

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Our colleagues
ASIC is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse culture in which all our people can strive to do their best 
work. Our values shape the way we treat each other. The Code shows you how ASIC expects you to live the Values 
through your behaviour and to create that respectful and diverse culture. In your interactions with col eagues ASIC 
expects you to uphold the behaviours you would apply to external stakeholders and in addition:
ASIC expects you to:
8.  Perform work with competence, care 
9.  Act in ASIC’s best interests
10. Perform your role safely
and diligence
ASIC achieves its Vision if we continuously 
ASIC’s best interests should be a primary 
ASIC is committed to a safe workplace 
seek to improve the quality of our work
driver when undertaking your role
(a)  You must take responsibility for your work and 
(a)  You must comply with lawful and 
(a)  You act to ensure your own safety and the 
perform your role to the best of your ability.
reasonable directions given to you by a 
safety of others.
person with authority.
(b) You must demonstrate professionalism and a 
(b) You must follow directions regarding work 
level of competence that would be reasonably 
(b) When performing work, you must put ASIC’s 
health and safety and report hazards.
expected of a person with your qualifications 
best interests, and its work, above your own 
(c)  You must perform your role free from the effects 
and experience.
personal interests.
of alcohol and you must not use illicit drugs.
(c)  You work collaboratively to achieve the 
best outcomes.
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  10

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
ASIC expects you to:
11. Treat people with care and respect
12. Act with integrity
13. Notify poor behaviour at work
Being respectful of people and their 
Acting with integrity is essential to 
We support each other in creating a 
differences is vital to ensure an inclusive 
achieving ASIC’s Vision 
positive workplace culture 
working environment
(a)  You invite and accept feedback from others and 
(a)  You must act in accordance with ASIC’s Values.
(a)  You must notify ASIC if you witness a person 
provide feedback constructively.
bullying, harassing, or discriminating against 
(b) You must behave honestly in connection with 
another person or acting in a way that is 
(b) You must at all times treat others with courtesy, 
your employment including providing ASIC with 
contrary to ASIC’s Values.
respect and dignity.
accurate and honest information.
(b) Managers are expected to take appropriate 
(c)  You must never bully, harass or unlawfully 
(c)  You must collaborate and share information 
action to address poor behaviour at work.
discriminate against others.
with colleagues which is necessary for them to 
perform their role.
The fol owing ASIC policies also 
 › Discrimination and 
 › Work Health and Safety Policy
provide guidance on the 
Harassment Policy
 › Grievance 
parts of the Code of Conduct 
 › Bul ying Policy
Handling Procedures
set out above:
 › Sexual Harassment Policy
 › Diversity and Inclusion Policy
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  11

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Managing conflicts
When working at ASIC you may have access to information which may give you the 
opportunity to use your position to gain an improper personal advantage. To ensure ASIC’s 
and your own integrity, it is essential that our people keep an arms‑length distance from 
situations which may give rise to an improper personal advantage.
ASIC expects you to:
14. Disclose conflicts of interest
15. Use Information and resources properly
ASIC’s integrity, the integrity of its staff and 
Appropriate use of Information and resources 
our reputation depend on avoiding real, 
is important for ASIC’s integrity 
potential or perceived conflicts of interest
(a)  You must disclose and avoid situations in which 
(a)  You must use ASIC’s resources and 
there is a real or potential conflict between your 
Information in a proper manner consistent with 
personal interests and your duties towards ASIC.
ASIC’s policies.
(b) You must disclose any outside employment.
(b) You must not use ASIC Information, including 
inside information, for an improper purpose, 
or to obtain an improper personal benefit or 
potential benefit for yourself or others.
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  12

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
ASIC expects you to:
16. Act responsibly with respect to gifts or hospitality
Maintaining an arms-length distance from external stakeholders helps to 
ensure that we avoid improper influence in our work or the perception that 
we are conducting our business improperly
(a)  You must not accept or provide gifts or hospitality which may give rise to a 
potential or actual conflict with your duties.
(b) You must understand your obligations when dealing with gifts or hospitality.
The fol owing ASIC policies also 
 › Policy on Avoiding Conflicts 
provide guidance on the 
of Interest and Improper Use 
parts of the Code of Conduct 
of Information
set out above:
 › Trading Policy
 › Travel Policy
 › Acceptable ICT Use Protocol
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  13

Overview
Purpose
Vision, Mission and Values
ASIC and external stakeholders
Our colleagues
Managing conflicts
Reporting and consequences
Reporting suspected breaches of this Code
It is up to all of us to ensure that we live ASIC’s Values and uphold this Code of Conduct. If you have 
witnessed a suspected breach of this Code, may have breached the Code yourself or if you have 
been impacted by a breach of the Code, you should immediately report the matter to your manager, 
your Senior Executive Leader or People and Development. ASIC wants you to speak up about 
potential breaches of this Code of Conduct even if it does not directly affect you. ASIC treats all 
notifications sensitively.
Investigations
Consequences
Breaches of the Code of Conduct should be reported 
ASIC will consider any reports of 
If ASIC finds that you have 
in writing to P&D, your Senior Executive Leader or 
suspected breaches of this Code and 
breached the Code, you may be 
Executive Director. If you consider the parties above to 
will take appropriate action such as 
subject to disciplinary action up 
be conflicted, please report a breach to the Manager 
an investigation, dispute resolution 
to and including termination of 
Professional Standards.
or another process. Any investigation 
your employment.
will be conducted in accordance with 
People who report breaches of the Code of Conduct may 
ASIC’s Code of Conduct Procedures. 
be offered protection by the fol owing laws:
If an investigation is conducted, ASIC 
 › Fair Work Act 2009
will provide all staff members with 
procedural fairness.
 › The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (see Public 
Interest Disclosure Policy)
See ASIC’s Code of Conduct Procedures for more details 
on the investigation process.
ASIC  |  Code of Conduct 
July 2019  |  14

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