Privacy on this website
How we handle your personal information online.
Our Privacy Policy recognises our role as responsible custodians of personal information and demonstrates our firm commitment to protecting the personal information we hold.
The DVSC is bound by the Privacy Act 1988, including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). The APPs set out the standards, rights and obligations for how personal information is collected, stored, used, disclosed, quality assured and secured. We also have obligations for handling personal information. These are outlined in the Australian Government Agencies Privacy Code.
The DVSC's Privacy Policy contains information about how we collect, use, disclose and store personal information, including sensitive information. It also contains information about how individuals can access and correct their personal information.
Under the Privacy Code, we must conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for all high privacy risk projects. Find out more on our Privacy Impact Assessments Register.
Download a copy of our Privacy Policy here
The information we collect and hold
We collect and hold many different types of personal information. This includes identity, contact, financial, family and employment information. We may also collect sensitive information if you allow us to, or if needed by law. Our full Privacy Policy gives more detail on what we collect and hold.
Why we need to collect your information
We may collect personal information about you when it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, one or more of our functions and activities. We may also collect your personal information when the law allows or requires it.
How we collect personal information
We collect personal information in different ways depending on how you interact with us. We may do this through surveys, submissions, emails, phone calls, letters, forms, notices, or our website. We may also obtain personal information from other Government agencies. In most cases, when we collect personal information we will notify you using a Privacy Collection Notice. Sometimes we may not notify you, this includes if doing so may cause a threat to your safety or if another law requires us not to.
Additionally, the Commissioner has coercive information gathering powers to support their functions. These powers allow the Commissioner to access premises, and to compel a person to produce documents or answer questions. We may collect personal information through the exercise of these powers.
How we use and disclose personal information
We will only share your information where we need to do so, and where it is legally allowable. We may use and share personal information for the main reason we told you in the Privacy Collection Notice. We may use or share for another reason where you would reasonably expect us to do so. We may also use or share your information if the law allows or needs us to use and share it.
Securing your personal information
We make sure the personal information we hold is safe against misuse, loss and harm. We also protect information from access, changes and disclosure that is not allowed.
While the DVSC provides a secure environment, you should be aware there are inherent risks associated with the transmission of information via the internet.
Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme
The Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme under the Privacy Act requires entities to notify individuals whose personal information is involved in a data breach that is likely to result in ‘serious harm’ to any of the individuals. The Commissioner will work with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) on any recommendations or directions from the Information Commissioner should a breach occur.
Access and correction
You have a right to request access to personal information we hold about you, and to request we correct it. We endeavour to respond to these requests within 30 days. There are some circumstances where we may be unable to action your request. If we are unable to do so, we will provide you the reasons in writing and you will have an opportunity to dispute the decision.
If you have concerns about how we collect, hold or use personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with us. If you are dissatisfied with our response or the way we have handled your personal information or a privacy breach, you may lodge a complaint with the OIAC.
Anonymity
Where we do not need personal information to verify your identify, you are able to use a pseudonym or remain anonymous. We will notify you if you are not able to remain anonymous when interacting with us.
Get in touch
Our Privacy Officers are able to help you learn more about how we manage personal information at the DVSC. To contact a Privacy Officer, use our general enquiries form.
