Officials Code of Behaviour

The duty of the sports official is to act as an impartial judge of sporting competition and this duty carries with it an obligation for the official to perform with accuracy, consistency, objectivity and the highest sense of integrity.

In order to preserve and encourage confidence in the professionalism and integrity of officiating, officials must first display ethical behaviour.

Official's code of behaviour

  • Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport, promoting fair play over winning at any cost.
  • Encourage and support opportunities for people to learn appropriate behaviours and skills.
  • Support opportunities for participation in all aspects of the sport.
  • Treat each person as an individual.
  • Display control and courtesy to all involved with the sport.
  • Respect the rights and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
  • Respect the decisions of officials, coaches and administrators in the conduct of the sport.
  • Wherever practical, avoid unaccompanied and unobserved one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance will exist) with people under the age of 18 years.
  • Adopt appropriate and responsible behaviour in all interactions.
  • Adopt responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs.
  • Act with integrity and objectivity, and accept responsibility for your decisions and actions.
  • Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a safe environment.
  • Ensure your decisions and actions contribute to a harassment free environment.
  • Do not tolerate harmful or abusive behaviours.
  • Place the safety and welfare of the athletes above all else.
  • Be consistent and impartial when making decisions.
  • Address unsporting behaviour and promote respect for all people.

Code of behaviour agreement form

All officials wishing to become registered with the NOAS are required to sign an individualised official's code of behaviour agreement form. This form requires officials to:

  • agree to abide by the code of behaviour of the relevant national sporting organisation and/or training provider. The Australian Sports Commission has developed an official's code of behaviour. National sporting organisations and training providers must use this code unless they develop their own.
  • acknowledge that the national sporting organisation and/or training provider may take disciplinary action against them, if they breach the code of behaviour (national sporting organisation and training providers are required to implement a complaints handling procedure in accordance with the principles of natural justice, in the event of an allegation)
  • acknowledge that disciplinary action against them may include de-accreditation from the NOAS.

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Australia is one of only two nations to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games.

Quick numbers

700 athlete scholarships are offered annually at the AIS.
263 current and former AIS athletes competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
142 Olympic medals have been won by athletes from the AIS since its establishment.
40 thousand kilometres were swum by Petria Thomas while at the AIS.
1 million people visit the AIS each year.
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