Our Commitment
Code of Professional Conduct
Updated 25th September 2025
Professional Speakers Australia Ltd (PSA) is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism in the speaking industry. This Code of Professional Conduct outlines the principles and behaviours that guide everyone connected with PSA, including but not limited to members, guests, suppliers, contractors, or volunteers, paid or unpaid. It reflects our collective responsibility to act with honesty, integrity, and respect, and to promote the values that safeguard the reputation of our profession.
This commitment demonstrates our shared responsibility to preserve fairness, professionalism, and trust within the speaking industry.
Behaviour we expect in the PSA community:
Respect We consider the feelings and rights of others as well as our own.
Courtesy We speak politely and kindly to and of each other, including on social media.
Openness We are welcoming and friendly, supporting people from all backgrounds and identities and creating a comfortable environment for all participants.
Responsibility We speak up with courage and have the tough conversations to enable professional growth of our members and Professional Speakers Australia.
Behaviour we don’t accept or tolerate in any form in the PSA community:
Clause 1 Personal attacks
Clause 2 Harassment – Refer to the Australian Human Rights Commission for specific information on Harassment – https://www.humanrights.gov.au/quick-guide/12040
Clause 3 Discrimination – Refer to the Australian Human Rights Commission for specific information on Discrimination – https://www.humanrights.gov.au/quick-guide/12030
Clause 4 Unsolicited direct sales pitches
Clause 5 Taking credit for someone else’s material
PSA Member Pledge
As a member of PSA:
- I pledge to act with honesty, integrity, and professionalism at all times.
- I pledge to pursue ongoing learning, so I deliver the highest value to my clients.
- I pledge to treat fellow members, and all professional contacts with respect, courtesy, and fairness.
- I pledge myself to comply with PSA’s rules, standards, policies, and this Code of Professional Conduct.
The following Articles apply to everyone connected to PSA including, but not limited to members, guests, suppliers, contractors, and volunteers.
Article 1 An individual shall accurately represent qualifications and experience in both oral and written communications.
Article 2 An individual shall act and speak on a high professional level so as to neither offend nor bring discredit to the speaking profession.
Article 3 An individual shall exert due diligence in understanding a clients’ organisation, approaches and goals in advance of a presentation.
Article 4 An individual is encouraged to share knowledge and experience with others.
Article 5 An individual shall avoid using materials, titles and thematic creations originated by others, either orally or in writing, unless all appropriate permission has been granted or recognition in compliance with the laws of copyright is given to the author.
Article 6 An individual shall treat all others with professional courtesy and dignity.
Article 7 An individual shall provide services only within areas of expertise and take into consideration opportunities to develop or undertake new fields, if unable or lacking expertise, recommend appropriate speakers or agencies or bureaux.
Article 8 An individual shall maintain the trust of clients, and fidelity concerning their business or personal affairs of a client, agents and other speakers who may reveal confidential information.
Article 9 An individual shall at all times behave in a way that avoids bringing discredit to Professional Speakers Australia and report to the PSA Company Secretary via email (companysecretary@professionalspeakers.org.au) any behaviour of others whether PSA members or not, which is observed to bring discredit to Professional Speakers Australia.
Article 10 An individual shall support fair access to the speaking market regardless of economic factors, background, race, creed, colour, sex, age, physical or intellectual disability or the country of national origin of another person.
Article 11 An individual shall only use professional designations (Professional Member, CSP or CSP Sage) while a current financial member of PSA.
Article 12 Breaches of this Code shall be determined in accordance with the rules, policies and procedures of Professional Speakers Australia Ltd. Disciplinary actions shall be instituted in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Association. Any such disciplinary action shall be final and binding upon the member and without recourse to the Company, its officers, members or staff except as otherwise provided by the applicable law.
Notifying PSA
If you notice or experience behaviour that falls beneath these standards refer to the Complaints Procedure. Please refer to the specific clause(s) in this document when lodging your complaint. If you’d like to acknowledge someone for outstanding behaviour that embodies the standards, feel free to contact the PSA Company Secretary by email, companysecretary@professionalspeakers.org.au.
Our Values in Action
Our Values in Action statement sets out our organisation’s behaviour standards for any PSA activities and interactions – regardless of whether you’re a member, guest or supplier.