After sitting on many government recruitment panels, I can confidently say that Act with Integrity under the NSW Capability Framework is the question that trips candidates up the most.
It is not because people lack integrity.
It is because they misunderstand what the panel is actually assessing.
When asked a question about Act with Integrity, many candidates:
- Give vague answers about being a “hard worker”
- Talk about teamwork instead of ethical decision-making
- Describe a situation but never explain the policy involved
- Avoid explaining what they personally did
- Fail to address the dilemma in the question
Panels are not looking for a story about being nice or reliable, or just following a process.
They are looking for evidence that you:
- Make ethical decisions even when it is uncomfortable
- Speak up or take appropriate action when something is not right
- Prioritise integrity over convenience
If the question asks about a dilemma, you must clearly explain:
- What the dilemma was
- What policy or standard applied
- What decision you made
- Why you made that decision
- What the outcome was
When candidates do not clearly address these points, the answer feels incomplete, even if the intention was good.
This is why so many capable applicants miss out on interviews. They have the experience, but they are not presenting it in a way that aligns with the Act with Integrity NSW Capability Framework.
In this guide, we will break down:
What Is the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework?
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework provides a shared language for assessing knowledge, skills and behaviours across government roles.
It includes 16 core capabilities grouped into four categories:
- Personal Attributes
- Relationships
- Results
- Business Enablers
For those managing teams, there are additional People Management capabilities.
Each job description identifies focus capabilities. These are the capabilities that will be actively assessed during recruitment.
What Does “Act with Integrity” Mean in the NSW Capability Framework?
Under the Act with Integrity NSW Capability Framework, candidates are expected to demonstrate that they:
- Behave in an honest, ethical and professional way
- Follow legislation, policies, guidelines and codes of conduct
- Speak out against misconduct or inappropriate behaviour
At foundational levels (such as Clerk Grade 1/2 and 3/4), the focus is on showing that you understand and consistently follow rules, policies and ethical standards.
Recruiters are looking for evidence that you:
- Make principled decisions
- Prioritise fairness over convenience
- Maintain professionalism under pressure
- Protect the organisation’s integrity
How “Act with Integrity” Is Assessed in Interviews
When assessing Act with Integrity NSW Capability Framework requirements, panels typically ask behavioural questions such as:
- “Tell me about a time when you had to follow a policy you did not agree with.”
- “Describe a situation where you faced an ethical dilemma.”
- “Have you ever witnessed inappropriate behaviour at work? What did you do?”
Your response should clearly reflect the behavioural indicators listed in the framework.
The best way to structure your response is using the STAR method:
- Situation
- Task
- Action
- Result
Example: Act with Integrity NSW Capability Framework (Sample Answer)
Question:
“Tell me about a time when you faced a dilemma between doing what was right versus what was convenient. How did you ensure you acted ethically?”
Situation
While working at Kmart, a friend who was also a colleague asked me to apply a staff discount to an item that was not eligible under store policy.
Task
I had to decide whether to follow official policy or give in to my friend’s request for convenience.
Action
- I checked the store’s staff discount guidelines to confirm the policy.
- I explained clearly and respectfully that the item was not eligible for a discount.
- I declined to apply the discount and informed my supervisor to ensure transparency.
Result
- I maintained integrity and upheld company policy.
- I reinforced professional boundaries with my colleague.
- I protected both myself and the organisation from potential misconduct.
Why This Example Works
This response aligns directly with the Act with Integrity NSW Capability Framework behavioural indicators:
- Behave in an honest, ethical and professional way
- Follow policies, legislation and codes of conduct
- Speak out against inappropriate behaviour
Notice how the example demonstrates policy adherence, ethical decision-making and accountability.
How to Strengthen Your Application
If “Act with Integrity” is listed as a focus capability in your role description:
- Identify the behavioural indicators at your grade level.
- Choose a real example that clearly demonstrates ethical decision-making.
- Use the exact language of the NSW Capability Framework where appropriate.
- Keep your response structured and outcome-focused.
When your example clearly mirrors the language of the Act with Integrity NSW Capability Framework, assessors can easily match your experience to the required standard.
Ready to Demonstrate Act with Integrity the Right Way?
Understanding the Act with Integrity NSW Capability Framework is one thing. Writing strong, aligned examples that actually secure an interview is another.
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