Privacy

The Privacy Act 1988 (the Privacy Act) provides for the protection of personal information in relation to its collection, storage, access, use and disclosure.

The department is bound, in administering Experience+ Training, by the provisions of the Privacy Act. Section 14 of the Privacy Act contains the Information Privacy Principles which prescribe the rules for handling personal information.

Departmental personnel involved in administering Experience+ Training and recipients of Experience+ Training funding must abide by the Information Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act when handling personal information collected for the purpose of Experience+ Training.

The information provided in your application will be used for the purpose of administering the Experience+ Training and may also be considered as part of any future funding application or business dealings you may have with the department. The department will not disclose any personal or business information to any individual or organisation unless required by law or with your consent.

Privacy complaints and advice

Complaints about breaches of privacy should be referred to:

• Mail:
  The Privacy Contact Officer
  Administrative Law Branch
  Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
  C148CW2
  GPO Box 9880
  Canberra ACT 2601
• Or: privacy@deewr.gov.au

Privacy complaints can be made directly to the Federal Privacy Commissioner by calling 1300 363 922. However in the first instance, the Federal Privacy Commissioner prefers that the department is given the opportunity to investigate or respond to the complaint.

Recipients of Experience+ Training funding should seek their own independent legal advice regarding queries about the application of the Privacy Act to their activities.
 

Freedom of information

All documents in the possession of the department including those in relation to Experience+ Training are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (‘the FOI Act’). Decisions regarding requests for access under the FOI Act will be made by an authorised decision maker in accordance with the requirements of the FOI Act.

The FOI Act creates a general right of access to documents in the possession of the department and this right of access is limited only by the exceptions and exemptions necessary for the protection of essential public interests and the privacy and business affairs of persons in respect of whom the information relates.

To the extent required by the FOI Act, where documents captured by a request contain personal information or relate to the business, commercial or financial affairs of third parties, the decision-maker will consult with individuals affected prior to making any decision on access to such documents.

All FOI requests are to be referred to:

• Mail:
  The FOI Coordinator
  Administrative Law Branch
  Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
  C148CW2
  GPO Box 9880
  Canberra ACT 2601
• Or: foi@deewr.gov.au

For information on how to make an FOI request, please visit the Freedom of Information webpage.
 

Discrimination legislation

The department is subject to Acts which prohibit discriminatory practices, and recipients of Experience+ Training may also be subject to these Acts:

• Racial Discrimination Act 1975
  
• Sex Discrimination Act 1984
  
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992
  
• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.
  

Organisations should familiarise themselves with these Acts and seek their own legal advice to ensure compliance.