Melbourne International Games Week is committed to providing an inclusive environment safe from harassment, discrimination, anti-social or disruptive behaviour.
Our Code of Conduct outlines the expectations we have of everyone who is involved in Games Week including event organisers, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, media and all attendees and participants. It applies whether events happen online or in-person and outlines the expectations we have of everyone who is involved in MIGW including event organisers, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, media and all attendees and participants. It applies whether events happen online or in-person.
All participants, whatever their involvement, are expected to comply with the Code and act in a courteous, respectful manner at all times when dealing with fellow participants.
Please read this Code of Conduct before embarking on your Games Week journey.
Together we'll make sure Melbourne International Games Week offers a safe, inclusive and enjoyable experience for all.
Code of Conduct 2026
Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) is committed to providing an inclusive environment safe from harassment, discrimination, anti-social or disruptive behaviour. MIGW expects all participants to contribute to creating a safe event environment.
This Code of Conduct (Code) is issued by ACMI for and on behalf of the State of Victoria and may be updated or amended from time to time by ACMI. ACMI will publish updates to the Code online at the MIGW website.
Purpose
This Code provides expectations for all those involved in MIGW and details potential consequences of engaging in unacceptable behaviour.
Application of Code
This Code applies to all activities and all people involved in those activities that take place at official MIGW or MIGW-related events (MIGW Events). It also applies via social media channels or event sanctioned networking apps. This Code covers event organisers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, talent, media, and attendees of MIGW (Participants). All Participants are expected to comply with this Code and act in a courteous, respectful manner at all times.
Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable Behaviour includes intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, antisocial, derogatory, or demeaning conduct. Many MIGW Events take place in public spaces; Participants are expected to be respectful to everyone in these locations.
Harassment
Harassment is unwelcome conduct that offends, humiliates, or intimidates another person, or is reasonably likely to do so. Intent is not a determining factor: the absence of an intention to cause offence does not mean harassment has not occurred. Where behaviour has the effect of being offensive, humiliating, or intimidating, and a reasonable person could have anticipated that outcome in the circumstances, it will constitute harassment.
Harassment may occur through a single incident, a series of incidents, or persistent innuendo or threats. It can take many forms - overt or subtle, loud or silent, hostile or veiled - and may occur in private or in public.
Bullying is a form of harassment. It involves repeated, unreasonable behaviour that demeans, intimidates, victimises, threatens, or humiliates an individual or group.
The following examples may constitute harassment and/ or bullying:
* verbal abuse, threats, sarcasm, or other forms of demeaning or intimidating language or communication;
* psychological harassment;
* physical intimidation;
* making, circulating, or displaying jokes containing inappropriate or offensive content;
* intrusive enquiries into another person’s personal life, including their religion, family or private matters;
* openly displaying pictures, posters, graffiti, or written materials which might be offensive to some; and
* communications via phone, email or computer networks which are threatening, abusive or offensive to others.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual behaviour that causes a person to feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated, where a reasonable person could have anticipated that reaction in the circumstances. Sexual harassment includes an unwelcome sexual advance, an unwelcome request for sexual favours and any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or written. Examples include:
* comments about someone’s private life or the way they look;
* sexually suggestive behaviour, such as leering or staring;
* brushing up against someone, touching, fondling or hugging;
* sexually suggestive comments or jokes;
* displaying offensive images or objects;
* repeated requests to go out;
* requests for sex;
* sexually explicit emails, text messages or posts on social media;
* sexual assault; and
* suggestive behaviour.
Some of the above may also amount to a criminal offence.
This Code is not about prohibiting friendships at MIGW or genuine consenting relationships.
Other Unacceptable Behaviour
* Discrimination on any basis including sex, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, disability, or any other protected attribute.
* Behaving in a way that causes offence to other people, like racial vilification, swearing and using obscene language.
* Possession of alcohol other than in a container with an unbroken seal, or consumption of alcohol in areas other than those specifically designated for the consumption of alcohol. MIGW encourages the responsible consumption of alcohol.
* Use, possession, or distribution of an illegal drug, including but not limited to cannabis, heroin, amphetamines, and cocaine.
* Possession of any prohibited weapon, controlled weapon, or dangerous article. Event organisers and venue security may request to inspect any prop(s) in the possession of attendees.
* Taking inappropriate photos or recordings of someone without their knowledge.
* Acting in a way that disturbs the peace or interferes with the comfort of people who may be nearby. This may include persistent disruption of a presentation or event. Behaviour may be unacceptable if event organisers think the behaviour is intended to disturb, even if no one is actually disturbed by it.
* Placing a person in fear of violence towards them, including threatening to harm someone or being physically intimidating.
* Inappropriate depictions of violence or inappropriate use of nudity and/ or sexual images (including on presentation slides).
* Failure to comply with rules, regulations or policies of venues or locations at which official MIGW Events are held.
* Engaging in any unlawful or offensive behaviour.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable Behaviour will not be tolerated. Participants asked to stop any Unacceptable Behaviour are expected to comply immediately.
If a Participant engages in Unacceptable Behaviour, MIGW event organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning or expelling the Participant from the MIGW Event with no warning or refund.
Please note, while MIGW event organisers take all concerns raised seriously, it reserves discretion as to determining when and how to follow up on reported incidents. MIGW event organisers may decline to take any further action and/ or may direct the Participant to other resources for resolution, for example, venue security or Victoria Police.
If you witness or are subject to Unacceptable Behaviour
If you feel safe doing so and believe that it is appropriate in the circumstances, you may politely bring the behaviour to the attention of the person engaging in the Unacceptable Behaviour and request that they stop the Unacceptable Behaviour.
If you do not feel that you can do this, or it does not work, you should notify the organiser of the specific Event which you are attending, venue security and in the case of a criminal offence Victoria Police, as soon as possible. Contact details of event organisers may be found on the MIGW website under each listed Event.
All suspected violations of the law should be reported to Victoria Police. For emergencies, immediately dial 0-0-0. For non-emergencies, dial 131-444.
Suspected violations of this Code should also be reported to ACMI and in the case of criminal conduct, Victoria Police. ACMI representatives are available to assist those experiencing Unacceptable Behaviour during MIGW with contacting venue security or Victoria Police. Contact details for ACMI are below.
Contact details
ACMI
Federation Square,
Melbourne VIC 3000
Level 31 121 Exhibition Street,
Melbourne VIC 3000
Email: migw@acmi.net.au
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