We collect, use, store and disclose personal information to help us perform our functions and manage our staff. We publish a privacy policy which sets out how we comply with our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) and provides information on how individuals may access and correct personal information held about them.
Our privacy policy
This is the complete Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment privacy policy at October 2021.
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Summary of privacy policy
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, October 2021
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Online version
Scope
The purpose of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s (department) privacy policy is to:
- clearly communicate the personal information handling practices of the department;
- enhance the transparency of the department’s operations, and
- give individuals a better and more complete understanding of the sort of personal information the department holds, and the way the department handles that information
This summary provides you with a succinct overview of how the department handles your personal information.
More information can be found in the department’s Complete privacy policy [PDF 261KB].
The kinds of personal information collected and held by the department
The department will generally collect your personal information directly from you, unless it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so. There may be times when the department may collect personal information from your authorised agent or a third party
The kinds of information the department collects and holds can include:
| Information Type | Description |
|---|---|
|
Personal information |
|
|
Sensitive information |
|
The purposes for which the department collects, holds, uses and discloses your personal information
The purpose for the department collecting your personal information is important as it limits how the department can use and disclose your personal information. Unless an exception applies, the department will:
- only use or disclose your personal information for the purpose it was collected, and
- notify you of this purpose at the time of collection, or as soon as practicable after collection.
The department will only use or disclose your personal information for another purpose where it is able to do so in accordance with the Privacy Act.
How to access and seek correction of your personal information
If you are an external client or stakeholder you should contact the relevant business area within the department, in writing, for access to or correction of your personal information. If you do not know which area of the department holds your personal information you can use the ‘contact us’ link on the department’s website.
Current and former department employees who wish to gain access to, or correct their personal information need to contact the People Services Branch (People Help) in the first instance. People Help can be contacted via email at PeopleSupport.
How you can complain about the handling of your personal information and how the complaint will be managed
You can complain in writing about how the department has handled your personal information.
In the first instance, any privacy concerns or complaints should be reported to the department by:
Email: Privacy
Mail: Privacy, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, GPO BOX 858, Canberra, ACT, 2601.
If you are not satisfied with the department’s handling of your complaint, you also have the option of contacting the Privacy Commissioner within the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The Privacy Commissioner can be contacted on:
Phone: 1300 363 992
Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
Mail: OAIC, GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001.
About this policy
The purpose of this privacy policy is to:
- clearly communicate the personal information handling practices of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (department)
- enhance the transparency of the department’s operations, and
- give individuals a better and more complete understanding of the sort of personal information the department holds, and the way we handle that information.
If you would like to request the privacy policy be made available in an alternate format or language, such as for the vision impaired, or for those from non-English speaking backgrounds, please also contact the department. Reasonable steps will be taken to provide alternate access.
This privacy policy is reviewed and updated annually.
Privacy Impact Assessment Register
This register includes our Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) in accordance with the Privacy (Australian Government Agencies — Governance) APP Code 2017.
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 20 August 2021 | Compliance Intelligence Investigation Management System (CIIMS) - COMTrac |
| 13 August 2021 | Traveller, Aircraft and Mail System (TAMS) |
| 2 June 2021 | Proposed information-sharing amendments |
| 13 May 2021 | Workload Management System - update |
| 9 February 2021 | Work Health and Safety Information System (WHS IS) |
| 15 December 2020 | Waste Exports Ban Project |
| 7 October 2020 | Human Health Digitisation Project |
| 20 April 2020 | ABARES Server Remediation Project |
| 3 April 2020 | Biosecurity risk management project |
| 18 February 2020 | Workload Management System |
| 29 July 2019 | Compliance, Risk and Integrated Governance System |
| 20 May 2019 | Bulk mail and survey functions |
| 6 May 2019 | NEXDOC/Enhanced Exports Traceability |
| 1 Apr 2019 | FMIS/Technology One |
| 27 Feb 2019 | External Workforce Project |
| 25 Sep 2018 | Levy Payer Register |
| 11 Jul 2018 | Internal Staff Policy |
Contact us
Contact our Privacy Officer if you have questions about privacy.
Email: privacy@awe.gov.au
Mail:
Privacy Officer
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
GPO Box 858
Canberra
ACT 2601