Code of conduct: your questions answered

Following the recent introduction of a new Standards of Ethical Behaviour and Code of Conduct for church workers across the LCA, the Safe Church team has prepared a list of frequently asked questions to assist congregations and ministry leaders.

As announced earlier, the revised document strengthens the church’s Safe Church framework and sets out clear expectations for behaviour in ministry contexts. (Read the original announcement: New code of conduct for church workers.)

As part of their Safe Church obligations, all LCA church workers (including pastors), employees and volunteers are required to sign a copy of the revised Standards of Ethical Behaviour and Code of Conduct and return it via email to the Safe Church Service Desk at safechurch@lca.org.au

The following questions and answers address some of the most common queries about the new code of conduct.

Why has the code of conduct been introduced?

The code of conduct implements the recommendations of the 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse:

1. Institutions (including religious organisations) should have a clear code of conduct that:

• outlines behaviours towards children that the institution considers unacceptable, including concerning conduct, misconduct or criminal conduct
• includes a specific requirement to report any concerns, breaches or suspected breaches of the code to a person responsible for handling complaints in the institution or to an external authority when required by law and/or the institution’s complaint handling policy
• outlines the protections available to individuals who make complaints or reports in good faith to any institution engaging in child-related work

2. Codes of conduct in religious institutions should explicitly and equally apply to people in religious ministry and to laypeople.

The updated Standards of Ethical Behaviour also conform to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations regarding codes of conduct. It applies to all agencies of the church and LCANZ-related entities.

The document provides you with clarity regarding the behaviours that are expected of you, as well as regarding behaviours that are unacceptable. It is intended that the document will be helpful to you, as you will not be left on your own to figure out what is unacceptable or concerning behaviour.

The introduction of our new code of conduct has brought the LCA into line with what other church bodies consider best practice. For example, Catholic and Anglican dioceses in Australia apply detailed codes of conduct. A code of conduct is an important component in a church’s Safe Church framework.

Has the new code of conduct replaced any other church document?

The new Standards of Ethical Behaviour and Code of Conduct replace the original Standards of Ethical Behaviour (released in 2015) and the Code of Practice for Working Safely With All Participants.

Who needs to sign the code of conduct?

Anyone who is required to complete Level 1 of the Safe Church training is also required to sign the code of conduct. This includes all pastors, individuals on church councils, elders, lay readers and worship leaders, as well as anyone who engages with children or vulnerable persons as part of their ministry. For full details, refer to www.lca.org.au/safechurchtraining

LCANZ-related entities that already have their own code of conduct, such as schools, early learning centres and aged care centres, are exempt from this requirement.

How does the Safe Church Service Desk know which individuals are required to sign the code of conduct?

The Safe Church Service Desk does rely on local leaders to keep it updated regarding who is currently carrying out key roles. Therefore, please update the Safe Church team regularly in this regard.

What is the deadline for signing the code of conduct?

There is no prescribed deadline as such at this point. It is acknowledged that obtaining everyone’s signatures may be challenging initially and could potentially take some time.

What are the legal ramifications of signing the code of conduct? Can I be sued?

We are not able to provide you with legal advice.

However, we can confidently say:

• When you sign the document, this does not extinguish your legal rights, but it does confirm that you have read the document and that you agree to abide by the church’s behavioural expectations while serving in your church role.
• The behaviours, which are prescribed in the document, may go beyond what the law strictly requires of you.
• By signing the document, you acknowledge that if your behaviours do not align with those prescribed, the church is able to take action accordingly.

Is it necessary for someone to witness my signature when I sign the code of conduct?

No – we are no longer asking that your signature is witnessed.

When I send my signature, can I just send the last page?

It is better to send a scan of the whole document, rather than just the signature page.

What consultation was there before the General Church Board approved the code of conduct?

There were extensive consultations with pastors and laypeople over a period of two years before the document was eventually approved. The College of Bishops provided a discussion paper, together with a draft version of the document, to all of the church’s pastors in the context of the 2024 General Pastors Conference. There were further consultations with pastors in 2025, and the feedback received resulted in substantive amendments to the document. The College of Bishops endorsed the document before its final approval by the General Church Board in December 2025.

If you have any further questions about the church’s new code of conduct, contact the Safe Church Service Desk:
Phone: 1800 418 588 (Australia), +61 8 8267 7300 (New Zealand)
Email: safechurch@lca.org.au