1. Policy supported
Acceptance and Provision of Gifts Policy TO BE REPLACED 16 August 2022
Version:
1.8
Effective date:
15 March 2013
These procedures must be read in conjunction with the Acceptance and Provision of Gifts Policy TO BE REPLACED 16 August 2022.
Acceptance and Provision of Gifts Policy TO BE REPLACED 16 August 2022
This policy applies to all Department employees.
Employees will not:
Employees will:
Acceptance of gifts by employees can be seen to compromise the performance of their duties if it is not conducted openly and with integrity. Therefore, before accepting a gift, an employee should consider if accepting it would place them in a position of actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest. If so or in doubt, the employee should politely decline the gift. Note that accepting or offering a gift, benefit or hospitality may create a personal interest where one did not previously exist. For further information, see the Department’s Staff Conduct and Discipline policy, Code of Conduct and Standards (staff only).
Employees should note that the definition for reportable gifts differs based on an employee’s responsibilities. Employees engaged with statutory regulation are required to report any gifts, irrespective of value of the gift. Statutory regulatory functions include but are not limited to Teacher Registration Board, the Training Accreditation Council, Non-Government School Registration, School Review, School Moderation and Non-Government School Funding.
Refer to Appendix B Acceptance of Gifts - Decision Guide flow chart and Appendix C Frequently Asked Questions for guidance on acceptance of gifts.
Air Travel funded by an external source may or may not be classified as a reportable gift. For the purpose of this policy, all air travel funded by:
For guidance on conflicts of interest, refer to the Department’s Code of Conduct and Standards (staff only).
Under the State Supply Commission’s Sponsorship in Government Guidelines it is inappropriate for any employee of a public authority to receive a personal benefit from a sponsorship. For further information on sponsorships, refer to the Incoming Sponsorship to Schools Policy or contact Director, Executive and Communications Services.
An employee can retain for personal use any minor gift without formal approval. This does not apply to employees who have responsibility for statutory regulation. In the case of these employees any gift received, irrespective of its monetary value, is a reportable gift
An employee cannot apply for approval to retain a reportable property gift with a value of more than $1 000. The gift should either be:
Regardless of the value, it would not be acceptable for an employee to accept multiple gifts from a single giver over a period of time. This could potentially lead to or be perceived to have an undesirable relationship between the employee and the giver. However, it would be acceptable for a teacher or any school officer to accept multiple gifts from a single student for such occasions as Easter, birthday, graduation and Christmas.
Generally any gift, including prizes, freely given to and accepted by an employee in the performance of their duty is the property of the Department/school. The above dot points stipulate what an employee can or cannot do when offered a gift.
Prizes won by employees in a free lucky draw/raffle/competition while on official business are considered property of the Department/school, and are therefore subject to the procedures contained herein. If the employee had purchased the raffle ticket with their own money they would have ownership of the prize won.
Conferences/presentations funded by commercial organisations
Conferences/presentations funded by commercial organisations are always reportable, but may or may not be classified as gifts depending on which of the two following categories the conference/presentation falls into:
Refer to Appendix C Frequently Asked Questions for further examples of travel funded by a commercial organisation.
Employees will:
Any breach of the gift policy by an employee such as accepting undeclared gifts can lead to disciplinary action being taken against the employee on the ground of misconduct.
Financial Services prepares a summarised gift register of the gifts declared and registered by central and regional offices for reporting to the Director General on a quarterly basis.
If the gift is a reportable property gift forward a copy of the completed Gift Declaration and Registration form to the following officer:
See Appendix A – Acceptance of gifts from external sources – approval authority.
If the value of a gift (including from overseas) is unknown, the value may be based on the local market purchase price or an estimated cost (including GST) of a like or similar item.
If the value of a gift, e.g. a painting, is indeterminable due to its unique nature, the gift would be deemed to have a value in excess of $1 000. Therefore, application cannot be made to retain for personal use if it is a property gift.
Employees will:
The giving of gifts should not be a matter of routine practice. The appropriateness of giving of gifts to non-employees will be a matter of judgement and should only occur within the bounds of protocol, accepted business practice, custom or culture. Similarly, a level of discretion is required when giving gifts to employees as this may be considered as utilising public monies for a private purpose.
Employees should consider if the costs and the reasons for giving gifts are justifiable and can stand up to public scrutiny. For further information, see the Department’s Staff Conduct and Discipline policy, Code of Conduct and Standards (staff only)
Gifts may be given to non-employees such as industry clients, volunteers, board members, visitors or dignitaries on occasions where business practice, custom, protocol or public relations necessitate the presentation of gifts.
On the occasion, such as a conference, where a minor gift is given to external presenters as a token of appreciation, a similar gift may also be given to the presenters who are also employees.
The giving of gifts to employees utilising public funds, on the following occasions, would generally not be appropriate as they are deemed to be of a private nature:
For more details refer to Appendix C Frequently Asked Questions.
Any items (such as flowers) purchased for bereavements or condolences are not considered as a gift for the purpose of this policy and therefore the procedures above do not apply.
Any gift (generally a benefit) that has no lasting value and cannot be dealt with as property for the purpose of recording in the resource list or asset register. Examples include, but are not limited to, event tickets, recreational activities, hospitality, travel and accommodation.
A personal gift or benefit over and above the normal employment entitlements. Examples include, but are not limited to, theatre or sporting event tickets, a bottle of wine, bunch of flowers, works of art, jewellery, ornate display items, laptop computers, equipment, recreational activities, travel, accommodation and services.
Any gift with a value of $100 or less. Except in the case of employees with responsibility for statutory regulation where any gift, irrespective of its monetary value, is a reportable gift.
Any gift (generally a tangible item) that has a lasting value and may be categorised as a resource (for schools) or asset for the purpose of recording in the relevant register. Examples include, but are not limited to, works of art, jewellery, laptop computers and equipment.
A gift received by an employee with a value greater than $100.
Where an employee has responsibility for statutory regulation any gift, irrespective of its monetary value, is a reportable gift.
This refers to market value or purchase price including the Goods and Services Tax (GST). All dollar limits quoted are GST inclusive.
Policy manager:
Director Financial Services
All enquiries to be directed to:
Effective date | Last update date | Procedure version no. | |
---|---|---|---|
30 March 2012 | 1.0 | ||
Policy first published | |||
15 March 2013 | 1.1 | ||
v1.0 split into policy and procedures documents. New procedures and information added as per the findings highlighted in the Auditor General’s Report 14 – November 2012. Endorsed by Corporate Executive 15 February 2013. | |||
15 March 2013 | 30 January 2014 | 1.2 | |
Updated contact details. D14/0041911 | |||
15 March 2013 | 20 November 2015 | 1.3 | |
Minor change to clarify reporting process for Conferences/Presentations Funded by Commercial Organisations that are not classified as gifts. Updated links, contact information and Appendices. D15/0540031 | |||
15 March 2013 | 15 July 2016 | 1.4 | |
Minor amendments under section 3.1, guidance and Appendix A, to be in line with updated Incoming Sponsorship to Schools Policy. D16/0449939 | |||
15 March 2013 | 13 September 2017 | 1.5 | |
Minor amendments - update to Minor and Reportable Gift definitions and additional guidance in section 3.1. D17/0392871 | |||
15 March 2013 | 2 October 2018 | 1.6 | |
Minor changes to update position titles and related policies D18/04322678 | |||
15 March 2013 | 23 April 2020 | 1.7 | |
Minor changes to update links to the sample summarised gift register mentioned in section 3.2. D20/0205721 |
Appendix A: Acceptance of gifts from external sources - approval authority (DOCX file - 17.7kB)
Appendix B: Acceptance of gifts decision guide (PDF file - 44.7kB)
Appendix C: Frequently asked questions (PDF file - 62.3kB)
Appendix D: Conferences/presentations funded by commercial organisations (DOCX file - 17.5kB)
Appendix E: Gift declaration and registration form (DOCX file - 17kB)
Appendix F: Application for the provision of gifts form (DOCX file - 48.3kB)
Appendix G: Provision of gifts - approval schedule (PDF file - 26.2kB)
Appendices
Appendix A: Acceptance of gifts from external sources - approval authority
Appendix B: Acceptance of gifts decision guide
Appendix C: Frequently asked questions
Appendix D: Conferences/presentations funded by commercial organisations
Appendix E: Gift declaration and registration form
Appendix F: Application for the provision of gifts form
Appendix G: Provision of gifts - approval schedule
This procedure:
Acceptance and Provision of Gifts Procedures TO BE REPLACED 16 August 2022 v1.8
Please ensure you also download the policy supported by this procedure.
Supported policy:
Acceptance and Provision of Gifts Policy TO BE REPLACED 16 August 2022
Supporting content:
13 March 2015
12 January 2021