Lao's People Democratic Republic: Vieng and Bouatham are members of the local Fermented Fish Processing Group, where members come together to process fish and sell onwards. They say the group not only improves livelihoods but also has positive social aspects for the women. Photo: Patrick Moran/Oxfam. Oxfam acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Codes of conduct & standards
Accountability and accreditation
Oxfam Australia is affiliated with Oxfam International, by whose constitution and code of conduct we are bound; holds full accreditation status with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); and is an active member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct for Non-Government Organisations
We are a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct and committed to adhering to its high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management.
The code sets out the standards of governance, management, financial control and reporting with which non-government development organisations must comply to maintain membership of ACFID.
These organisations are required to become a signatory to and demonstrate compliance with the code before they are eligible to obtain accreditation with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the Australian Government’s overseas aid program. Compliance is met by submitting an annual report for assessment against established criteria and completing a self-assessment process designed by ACFID.
We are also committed to the ACFID Fundraising Charter, which covers compliance and guideline requirements to ensure that the public trusts fundraisers to raise and distribute funds in an ethical and accountable manner.
More information about the Code is available by emailing ACFID or by phone: (02) 6285 1816. Complaints relating to alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by any signatory agency can be made by any member of the public to the ACFID Code of Conduct Committee.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) accreditation
We are fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Australian Government department responsible for managing Australia’s overseas aid program.
The accreditation process provides DFAT and the Australian public with confidence that where the Australian Government provides grants to Australian NGOs to implement their own aid and development programs, it is funding professional, well-managed, community-based organisations capable of delivering good development outcomes.
Oxfam International Code of Conduct
The Oxfam International Code of Conduct regulates the use of the Oxfam brand, sets criteria for membership of the Oxfam International confederation and outlines affiliates’ responsibilities.
All affiliates must comply with the code to ensure Oxfam presents a consistent brand and message, partakes in good governance and has clear accountability. Affiliates must also respect each other’s powers within their home countries. Violations of the code are investigated and an affiliate which is found to be in gross violation can be expelled from Oxfam International.
Our work is also guided by these additional codes of conduct and standards, which we observe and adhere to:
- International Non Governmental Organisations Accountability Charter
- Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief
- Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response
- People In Aid Code of Good Practice
- Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA) Principles and Standards of Fundraising Practice
- Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) Code of Practice
- Refugee Council of Australia Refugee Charter