1. Act with integrity, respect and honesty
   1. Demonstrate respect, fairness, honesty in all dealings with service users, colleagues and other professionals.
   2. Display a standard of personal and professional behaviour that warrants the trust and respect of the profession and the community
2. Protect the rights, interests and privacy of service-users
   1. Respect the cultural needs and values of service users
   2. Maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries & relationships with service users
   3. Maintain the privacy and confidentiality of service users and their records
   4. Recognise and clearly communicate the limits of confidentiality
3. Be accountable (to service users, employer, peers, relevant others)
   1. Maintain accurate records for all contact and dealings with, or regarding, service users
   2. Ensure the safe storage of all records, files and correspondence
   3. Contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of systems and organisations
   4. Use technology safely and ethically
4. Act in accordance with the law, relevant regulations, policies and procedures
   1. Comply with all legal, professional and ethical obligations
   2. Comply and cooperate with SWRB / regulatory responsibilities
5. Manage risk appropriately
   1. Prioritise the safety of service-users and their families
   2. Identify and mediate risks to service-users and their families as well as to/from colleagues and/or the organisation
   3. Identify potential conflicts of interest and take appropriate action
6. Work within the limits of own competence and capacity
   1. Recognise changes to physical or mental health capacity that may impact on performance, practice and/or judgement
   2. Identify and modify practice in response to demands that are outside of one’s scope, knowledge or skill base
   3. Consult, seek appropriate support or request supervision promptly as required.
7. Take responsibility for professional development and maintaining competence  
   1. Recognise own limitations and seek to address as appropriate
   2. Maintain currency and relevance of knowledge and skills including through participation in training and CPD opportunities
   3. Actively participate in regular professional supervision provided by a registered social worker

The Social Workers Registration Act 2021 interprets ‘unprofessional conduct’ as –

• (a) a contravention of or failure to comply with –
• (i) this Act; or
• (ii) a condition of registration as a social worker under this Act;
• (iii) a code of conduct or professional standard prepared or endorsed by the Board under this Act; or
• (b) incompetence; or
• (c) disgraceful or improper conduct; or
• (d) conduct of a kind determined by the Board to be unprofessional conduct.

Additionally, Section (3) states

• (a) unprofessional conduct extends to –
• (i) unprofessional conduct committed before the commencement of this Act; and
• (ii) unprofessional conduct committed within or outside South Australia or the Commonwealth; and
• (b) to engaging in conduct includes a reference to failing or refusing to engage in conduct.