Revised version: 28 September 2026

Member consultation

Forestry Australia is pleased to advise that our Code of Conduct has undergone a review, and we are now seeking member feedback on the proposed updated Code ahead of its intended introduction from 1 January 2027.

The proposed update seeks to modernise and strengthen the Code, making it clearer, more practical and easier for members to understand and apply. It is also intended to reflect the breadth and diversity of Forestry Australia’s membership and ensure it remains relevant as our profession continues to evolve.

The proposed Code provides clear guidance on the standards expected of members in their professional activities and interactions, and what external parties can expect in terms of the conduct of Forestry Australia members.

We invite all members to review the draft Code and provide feedback through a short survey by Monday, 16 November 2026.

Forestry Australia is a not-for-profit, independent, professional association for scientists, professionals and growers who manage, study and care for our forests. The Forestry Australia Code of Conduct (‘the Code’) reflects the organisation’s values and objectives, and its intent is to uphold the integrity and reputation of the science and practice of forestry by its members.

The Code provides clear guidelines about the expectations of the behaviour of all members and provides a guide to external parties as to what they can expect from Forestry Australia members. All members of Forestry Australia are required to adhere to this Code. This applies regardless of where members are practicing – if overseas, local laws and culture must be respected.

The Code is structured to help members adhere to it. There are five Principles, each of which is supported by an explanatory statement to guide a member’s interpretation and implementation. The supporting information for each Principle elaborates the nature and application of the principles. The supporting information does not cover all issues associated with each Principle but provides guidance for members of Forestry Australia on how to apply them to their own conduct. Each Principle has a series of Sub-Principles, supported by a specific in-practice statement that further explains its intent. A self-assessment question provides a guide to test whether you are working to the spirit of the Code.

Principles

Principle 1: Always act with integrity
Ensure that you act with honesty and consistency in all your undertakings and actions in your role.

Principle 2: Always adhere to a high standard of the science and practice of forestry.   
Adhere to high standards of scientific rigour and professional practice in forestry at all times regardless of your role or work situation.

Principle 3: Act in a way that promotes trust in the science and practice of forestry.
Ensure that your actions, communications and use of the science and practice of forestry are consistent, reliable, and clearly communicated.

Principle 4: Take personal responsibility.
Be responsible and accountable for your actions and the activities you undertake in your role.

Principle 5: Treat others with respect.
Always treat people with respect and without discrimination.

A mindset

There are two overarching perspectives that members should apply to test whether their actions promote the science and practice of forestry, build trust and confidence and meet the requirements of this Code. These perspectives are:

  • Internal facing: What would a fellow member of Forestry Australia think of my actions?
  • External facing: Would I be happy to hear or read about my actions in the public or professional media?

Ensure that you act with honesty and consistency in all your undertakings and actions in your role.

# Sub-principle In practice Self-assessment
1.1 Be honest and trustworthy in all that you do. Do not deliberately mislead anyone about your activities, whether by withholding or distorting information, within the bounds of confidentiality obligations. Am I being clear, honest and transparent in all dealings with all parties to meet technical and ethically requirements?
1.2 Be open and transparent in your dealings. Full disclosure is required as to any financial arrangements or relationships (current or sought) in any dealings with other parties. In considering actions and activities in your role, what disclosures should I make to those around me?
1.3 Always put the interests of others to whom you have a responsibility above your own and respect their confidentiality. Do not divulge any information to others unless it is public information, unless the source of information has cleared disclosure and/or there is a legal requirement for disclosure. In dealing with information, do I understand its ownership and confidentiality status?
1.4 All Members must disclose and address potential, perceived and actual conflicts of interest as and when they arise. Make clear to all interested parties all actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, in any task undertaken. Have I disclosed any financial or other perceived, potential or actual conflicts of interest in this working relationship?
1.5 Ensure your work is not the result of plagiarism, misuse of intellectual property or inappropriate use of artificial intelligence. Do not claim others’ work as your own and always make appropriate attributions to other sources, including the use of tools (e.g. such as AI). Can I defend that all work I claim as my own is, in fact, my own?

Have I kept up to date with the implications of the tools you are using such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Adhere to high standards of scientific rigour and professional practice in forestry at all times regardless of your role or work situation.

# Sub-principle In practice Self-assessment
2.1 Always be objective and make use of relevant, clear and appropriate technical knowledge and experience specific to a situation. Communicate with all parties in a way that will allow them to make informed decisions by providing relevant and factually correct information regarding the science and practice of forestry. Am I applying current and relevant knowledge on the science and practice of forestry to this situation?
2.2 Ensure your own practice of forestry is underpinned by robust scientific and technical information. Ensure that the scientific and technical information developed, relied on or promoted is factually correct and robust. Have I fact-checked the scientific and technical information that I have developed, used or promoted, and considered all relevant information available?

Ensure that your actions, communications and use of the science and practice of forestry are consistent, reliable, and clearly communicated.

# Sub-principle In practice Self-assessment
3.1 Maintain and build respect and trust in the science and practice of forestry. Promote what you and Forestry Australia stand for; the highest standards in regard to the science and practice of forestry. What is the best way for me to promote trust in myself, my organisation and the science and practice of forestry?
Do I explain and promote the benefits and the checks and balances that exist in the science and practice of forestry?
3.2 Adhere to the science and practice of forestry; this seeks to balance ecological, social, economic and environmental principles for the advantage of present and future generations. Use your skills and experience in regard to the sciences and practice of forestry to benefit wider society. Do I promote a broader contribution to a sustainable future enabled by the science and practice of forestry?
3.3 Always consider the wider interests of the science and practice of forestry when undertaking your role. Consider whether anything you are doing in your role is going to harm trust in the science and practice of forestry. What could be the adverse impacts of an act or action as a result of my involvement?

Be responsible and accountable for your actions and the activities you undertake in your role.

# Sub-principle In practice Self-assessment
4.1 Be accountable for all your actions by taking full responsibility for your actions and do not blame others. Take responsibility for your actions or omissions whether or not a challenge or complaint has been made and respond in an appropriate and responsible manner with the aim to resolve the matter as far you can. Do I recognise and accept my own personal responsibility for all my actions?
4.2 Have the courage to make a stand if you suspect a risk to safety or malpractice of any sort by any party If you think something is not right, be prepared to question it and raise the matter as appropriate with trusted parties. Within legal bounds, do I seek to raise issues with the appropriate parties to address things that I consider are not right?
4.3 Be aware and understand the bounds of your knowledge, skills and experience in undertaking your role. Always act with skill, care and diligence within the limits of your capabilities relevant to your role, in all actions. Am I aware of my own strengths and weaknesses as they frame my ability to perform my role?
4.4 Maintain and advance your skills and knowledge in the science and practice of forestry. Maintain an interest in your field and across forestry broadly to keep up with advances and changes. Am I actively improving my knowledge and technical skills?

Always treat people with respect an

# Sub-principle In practice Self-assessment
5.1 Always be courteous, polite and considerate to everyone else you come into contact with. All interactions with all parties (e.g. other members, staff, peers, stakeholders, clients or public) should be conducted in a respectful manner. Do I treat all people I interact with courteously and respectfully?

Am I treating others in the way I would want to be treated?
5.2 Never discriminate[1] against anyone for any reason. Never treat an individual or group unfairly or differently from others because of a particular personal characteristic. Am I excluding my personal feelings, views, prejudices or preferences in my decision making?
5.3 Respect the right to hold contrary or alternative views of specific issues. When provided with an alternative view, respect the right to have that view, but not necessarily accept that view. Do I acknowledge the right to hold an alternative viewpoint while seeking to substantiate such views with evidence?

[1] For guidance on what discrimination may look like, please refer: https://humanrights.gov.au/know-your-rights/understanding-human-rights/what-are-human-rights-in-australia/what-does-discrimination-look-like