Do you need to make critical decisions in your work while maintaining integrity and impartiality?

Is this course right for you?

Are you a decision-maker in the Commonwealth or ACT public sector, committed to acting with integrity and impartiality? Would your work benefit from a stronger understanding of how to make ethical, transparent, and accountable decisions?

Ethical decisions in the public sector must align with the core values of integrity, accountability, respect, and commitment to service. For both Commonwealth and ACT public servants, ethical conduct is essential for maintaining public trust and confidence in government institutions. If you are committed to acting in the public interest, upholding transparency, promoting trust, and enhancing your ethical decision-making capabilities, this course is for you.

How does this support your public sector career?

This program is aligned with IPAA’s commitment to strengthening the capability of public sector professionals. By the end of this course, you’ll be better equipped to:

• recognise and respond to ethical challenges in your daily work
• promote a culture of integrity and transparency in your team and agency
• demonstrate ethical leadership and public accountability.

Delivery

This course is delivered over two half days using Microsoft Teams.

What you will learn

This course will provide you with a practical understanding of how to make ethical and accountable decisions, aligned with the values and obligations of the Commonwealth and ACT public sectors. You will explore key frameworks, legislation, and values such as the APS Values and Employment Principles, Public Service Code of Conduct, and relevant ethical guidance (e.g. OECD Principles for Managing Ethics in the Public Sector).

You’ll also apply Cooper’s Ethical Decision-Making Model to realistic scenarios and workplace dilemmas. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and group activities, you will:

• understand what ethical and accountable decision-making means in the public sector context
• recognise ethical and integrity expectations as set out in legislation, codes of conduct, and public service
  values
• apply public sector ethical frameworks—including the APS Values and ACTPS Respect, Equity and Diversity
  Framework—to real-world decisions
• explore how ethics intersect with responsibility, power, and transparency in government decision-making
• identify ethical issues and assess complex workplace decisions from multiple perspectives
• use a structured, step-by-step process to analyse and resolve ethical dilemmas.

If you would like to learn more about this course or our other offerings, please contact the IPAA ACT team on 02 6154 9800 or capability@act.ipaa.org.au

Courses that do not reach the minimum required participants 14 days before the commencement date will be cancelled with a full refund.

If you work for the federal or ACT public service, or in the broader public-for-purpose sector, you’re most likely already a member of IPAA ACT. Check our membership list if you’re not sure.