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Privacy

1  Privacy statement

The Australia Council is subject to the Privacy Act 1988 (‘the Act’) that requires that we comply with the Information Privacy Principles set out in the Act. 

The Act as amended governs the collection, storage, access, use and disclosure of personal information.

The Act applies irrespective of whether the information is solicited or volunteered.

The personal information handling practices of the Australia Council are detailed in the annual Personal Information Digest. This sets out the kind of personal information collected or held by the Australia Council, what it is used for, to whom it is disclosed and how access to the information can be arranged.

2  Policy statement

The Act sets out the Australia Council’s responsibility relating to any personal information held about you as an individual who uses the Australia Council’s services.

The Australia Council complies with its responsibilities under the Act and provides this policy for use by its employees and others. It is to be given to people external to the organisation at their request.

3 Definitions under the Act

Personal information is information or an opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent or can reasonably be ascertained.

An individual is a living natural person and not a ‘legal person’ such as a company.  

4  Collection and use of personal information

4.1    Personal information we currently collect
On application and proposal forms:
  • Name
  • Address
  • Birth date
  • Demographic details such as ethnic background and disability

On registration forms for the register of peers and board nomination:

  • All of the above + areas of expertise

On funding agreements:

  • Bank details

4.2  Purposes and/or reasons for collection of personal information

The Australia Council does not collect personal information unless it is:

  • being collected for lawful purposes
  • necessary for and directly related to our functions
  • collected in a lawful and fair way.

When the Australia Council does collect personal information it informs the individual of the:

  • purpose for which the information is being collected, and
  • authority for its collection, and
  • names of agencies and/or persons to whom it would usually be disclosed.
When the Australia Council does collect personal information it also ensures that it is :
  • relevant to the purpose for which it is being collected
  • up to date and complete, and
  • that its collection does not intrude unreasonably on the individual’s personal affairs.

The Australia Council ensures that personal information is protected by maintaining security safeguards against loss and against unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure as well as against other misuse. 

The Australia Council only uses personal information for the purpose(s) for which it was collected unless the:

  • individual has consented, or
  • use is directly related to the purpose of collection, or
  • use is necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the individual or another person, or
  • use is authorised by or under law, or
  • use is reasonably necessary for enforcement of the criminal law or protection of public revenue.
4.3  Disclosure of personal information

The Australia Council does not disclose personal information to anyone unless the:

  • individual has consented, or
  • individual is reasonably likely to have been aware that it would usually be disclosed to such persons, or
  • disclosure is necessary to prevent a serious and imminent threat to the individual or another person, or
  • disclosure is authorised by or under law, or
  • disclosure is reasonably necessary for enforcement of the criminal law or protection of public revenue.

5  How to make a request to change details or complain about potential breaches

If you wish to make a request to change your personal information, or wish to make a complaint regarding the way in which the Australia Council handles your personal information, please contact the person you have been dealing with, or that person's supervisor.  If you do not know who to speak to, you should contact the privacy officer.

If you wish to make a complaint about the handling of your personal information, your complaint should include a description of the events that have led to that concern, in particular, is it related to the:

  • collection of personal information (IPPs 1-3)
  • security or storage of personal information (IPP 4)
  • refusal to permit access or find out about your own personal information (IPPs 5-6)
  • refusal to change or delete personal information (IPPs 7)
  • accuracy or relevance of personal information (IPPs 8-9)
  • use of personal information (IPP 10)
  • disclosure of personal information (IPP-11)

General enquiries about the Australia Council’s compliance with the IPPs can be made to the Australia Council’s executive director, corporate resources.

General information about the Privacy Act and IPPs can be found on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s website.

Privacy hotline: 1300 363 992 (local call charge)

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