Defence collects, uses and discloses information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
Defence Privacy, on behalf of Defence may collect, use and/or disclose personal information, including sensitive information, for the purposes of managing privacy-related matters.
Specifically, Defence Privacy may at times, collect, use and/or disclose personal information from work areas within Defence and/or third parties for the purpose of:
- appropriate inquiry into privacy matters
- appropriate inquiry, management and resolution of privacy complaints
- responding to matters affecting national security, including individual security clearances
- reporting notifiable data breaches to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
The areas within Defence and/or third parties where personal information may be collected, used, or disclosed include:
- relevant Defence work areas, including supervisors, managers and/or commanders
- complainants and witnesses
- Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
- Defence investigative authorities
- civilian police force
- Defence legal and insurance providers
- other organisations required or authorised under the Privacy Act 1988.
Without the collection of all relevant personal information, Defence Privacy may not be able to provide advice with regard to specific privacy matters.
Personal information collected by Defence Privacy is secured appropriately and all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the information is protected against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification, disclosure, or other misuse.
Defence Privacy is committed to protecting the personal information of all Defence personnel, and the community within which Defence operates.
For further information, refer to the Defence Privacy Policy. This includes ways to have personal information corrected and the circumstances in which this information may be disclosed overseas.