Governance policies and guidelines

Code of Ethics and Conduct

The EPA Code of Ethics and Conduct is applicable to all EPA staff including ongoing, temporary or casual employees, contractors and volunteers. The EPA code is based on the code of ethics and conduct for NSW government sector employees produced by the NSW Public Service Commission.

All EPA staff will conduct their activities in accordance with Government policies and the highest standards of ethical conduct. Our staff are bound by their statutory obligations under the NSW Government Sector Employment Act 2013, which dictates core values for the government sector and the principles that guide their implementation. The Ethical Framework in Part 2 of the Government Sector Employment Act ‘recognises the role of the government sector in preserving the public interest, defending public value, and adding professional quality and value to the commitments of the Government of the day’.

Download the EPA Code of Ethics and Conduct (PDF 1MB).

Gifts and Benefits Policy

The EPA Gifts and Benefits Policy states how the EPA deals with offers of gifts and benefits. The objectives of this policy are to provide clear and detailed guidance to EPA staff about what is a gift or a benefit and what their obligations are when offered a gift or a benefit, and to ensure staff act within their statutory obligations of the NSW Government Sector Employment Act 2013.

Download: The EPA Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy (PDF 285KB)

Sponsorship Policy

The EPA does not use sponsorship as a primary tool in conducting its core business. However, under some limited circumstances sponsorship may be used to promote and achieve the EPA’s community, environment and business objectives. Partnering with a sponsor allows external participants to contribute towards the EPA’s initiatives.

The EPA Sponsorship Policy (PDF 163KB) outlines the EPA’s policy on providing and receiving sponsorship. You should read this document to determine whether your proposal would be one that could be sponsored by the EPA.

To evaluate sponsorship proposals, the EPA only accepts applications on the EPA Sponsorship Application form (PDF 1.4 MB). This form has been designed to capture all the information required for the EPA to make an assessment as to whether the EPA will provide sponsorship to a third party. Complete this form and send the application to the appropriate EPA Branch (addresses are provided at the end of the form).

Grants Policy

This Grants Policy (PDF 584KB) applies to all Grant Programs funded by the EPA.

The EPA uses Grant Programs to promote and achieve its community, environment and conservation objectives. The partnership between the EPA and a grant recipient allows external participants to contribute and participate in environment and conservation initiatives with the NSW Government.

This policy outlines the EPA’s considerations when establishing and funding Grant Programs.

Privacy Management Plan

The Privacy Management Plan (PDF 911KB) defines personal information and provides details about the privacy principles that the EPA follows when dealing with personal information.

Compliance management framework

The EPA Compliance Management Framework (PDF 94KB) (the Framework) outlines the policies and procedures to be used by the EPA to ensure it complies with its obligations. These are to monitor, assess and report on internal compliance, rectify the causes of non-compliance and evaluate and improve the Framework.

The Framework helps EPA staff to:

show mature compliance conduct that is consistent with the EPA’s values
comply with a large and fluctuating range of obligations found in legislation, NSW Government policy, cluster policy, EPA policy, contractual terms and conditions that bind the EPA, and standard operating procedures
apply relevant controls to prevent non-compliance
act regularly to monitor and detect instances of non-compliance
manage the risks resulting from non-compliance
promptly report serious instances of non-compliance to Branch Directors and the Executive
take corrective action in response to instances of non-compliance

The Framework applies to all EPA staff including ongoing, temporary or casual employees, labour hire (contractors who are working as though they were EPA staff) and seconded staff. It does not apply to contractors who are not representing the EPA but are providing professional services to the EPA. The Framework does not apply to the Board of the EPA.

Fraud and Corruption Control Policy

The objectives of the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy are to:

promote ethical, professional conduct and risk-aware decision making by EPA staff
protect the reputation of the EPA as an honest and credible regulator
prevent, detect and respond appropriately to allegations and incidents of fraud or corruption
assign responsibility for implementing fraud and corruption control arrangements
protect public finances and public assets

Download Fraud and Corruption Control Policy (PDF 195KB)

Inclusion and Diversity Strategy

The EPA aims to ensure that all of our staff can feel safe, encouraged and supported in their work and recognises the need to address a wide range of diversity and inclusion factors to achieve this.

The EPA’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee has been the driving force behind the development of our Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2019-21 (PDF 792KB), building on the priorities set out in the Strategic Plan 2017-21.

The strategy will help the EPA achieve its 2021 vision to become an employer of choice, attracting and retaining the most talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and abilities.

All agencies in New South Wales are required to have a Public Interest Disclosures (PID) Policy under section 42 of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act)

Respectful and Inclusive Behaviours Policy

The Respectful and Inclusive Behaviours Policy (PDF 0.7MB) details the EPA's zero tolerance towards workplace bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, victimisation, vilification, and unlawful discrimination. It encourages employees to report these matters promptly so that appropriate action can be taken. It also lays out how investigations into complaints of disrespectful behaviour will be conducted with confidentiality and respect.

Public Interest Disclosures Policy

All agencies in New South Wales are required to have a Public Interest Disclosures (PID) Policy under section 42 of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (PID Act).

The purpose of the Public Interest Disclosures Policy (PDF 0.7MB) is also to set out the EPA’s responsibilities to ensure such reporting of disclosures that are or may be PIDs are handled in accordance with the PID Act (or, if not a PID , in line with other EPA policies and procedures) and to outline the protections available under the PID Act to makers of PIDS.

The integrity of the EPA relies upon our staff, volunteers, contractors and subcontractors speaking up when they become aware of wrongdoing.
The EPA PID Policy has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the PID Act.

This policy sets out:

how we will support and protect you if you come forward with a report of serious wrongdoing
how we will deal with the report and our other responsibilities under the PID Act
who to contact if you want to make a report
how to make a report
the protections which are available to you under the PID Act.

Work Health and Safety Policy

The EPA is committed to proactively supporting and managing work health and safety.

To achieve this the EPA will:

equip our people with the systems, training, and resources to assist in delivering the best outcomes
embrace a learning mindset, to improve how we operate by utilising the vast experience from across the agency
champion collaboration and consultation both within the EPA and with external stakeholders
maintain a WHS management system that clearly defines our WHS objectives, and how we measure our performance
ensure we manage risks appropriately, continuously improve systems, and consult effectively, to meet or exceed our legal, moral, and ethical obligations