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Privacy Breaches and Complaints
We consider all personal, sensitive and health information of parents/carers, students, staff, volunteers, contractors and prospective employees to be private and will only use information collected and recorded to fulfil the educational mission of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Townsville.
In accordance with the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012, Townsville Catholic Education has adopted and is bound by the thirteen (13) Australian Privacy Principles established by the Federal Privacy Commission and set out in the Act.
Access and correction of personal information
Under the Commonwealth Privacy Act and Health Records Act, an individual has the right to obtain access to any personal information which Townsville Catholic Education holds about them, and to advise the organisation of any perceived inaccuracy. There are some exceptions to this right set out in the Act. Students will generally be able to access and update their personal information through their parents/carers, but older students may seek access and correction themselves(refer to the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012). An individual may be required to verify his/her identity and specify what information is required If Townsville Catholic Education cannot provide an individual with access to that information, a written notice explaining the reasons for refusal will be provided.
To make a request to access or update any personal information the organisation holds about an individual or their child/guardian, please contact Townsville Catholic Education in writing.
Consent and rights of access to the personal information of students
Townsville Catholic Education respects every parent's right to make decisions concerning their child's education. Generally, the organisation will refer any requests for consent and notices in relation to the personal information of a student to the student's parents/carers. Townsville Catholic Education will treat consent given by parents/carers as consent given on behalf of the student, and notice to parents/carers will act as notice given to the student. As mentioned above, parents/carers may seek access to personal information held by the organisation about them or their child by contacting the organisation. However, there will be occasions when access is denied. Such occasions would include where release of the information would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, or where the release may result in a breach of the organisation's duty of care to the student. Townsville Catholic Education may, at its discretion, on the request of a student, grant that student access to information held by the organisation about them, or allow a student to give or withhold consent to the use of their personal information, independently of their parents/carers. This would normally be done only when the maturity of the student and/or the student's personal circumstances so warranted (refer to the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012).
Enquiries and complaints
If an individual would like further information about the way the organisation manages the personal information it holds, or wishes to complain that Townsville Catholic Education has breached the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact Townsville Catholic Education Office, who will investigate any complaint and will notify the individual of a decision as soon as is practicable after it has been made.
