The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

6.3.1 Privacy Act

Context

The Privacy Act 1988 applies to individual privacy in both the public and private sectors.

Act references

Privacy Act 1988

Child support & the Privacy Act

Services Australia is subject to the Privacy Act, which protects the personal information that government and businesses collect about individuals. The Privacy Act established standards for information collection, storage, security, correction, use, disclosure and access. It also provides safeguards for the collection and use of tax file numbers.

Personal information includes any information or an opinion, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an identified or reasonably identifiable individual.

The Privacy Act must be read in conjunction with other legislation, such as the secrecy provisions in the Child Support and Tax Acts. The secrecy provisions of those Acts are more stringent than the Privacy Act in regards to the disclosure of information.

More information about privacy can be found at the Office of the Australian Information Commission's website or the Services Australia website.

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