Skip to content

Privacy Policy

Policy overview

1 Purpose

To ensure the University complies with the requirements of the Information Privacy Act 2009 (the Act).

2 Scope

This policy applies to University Members.

3 Policy Statement

The University values and respects an individual's right to privacy and will meet the legal obligations under the Act which imposes privacy protection obligations to:

  • comply with the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) as provided in the Schedule 3 of the Act;
  • transfer Personal Information outside of Australia only in compliance with section 33 of the Act;
  • take reasonable steps to have Contracted Service Providers adhere to the privacy principles where required by section 35 of the Act;
  • deal with Privacy Complaints by individuals in a timely and responsive manner;
  • comply with any Compliance Notice issued by the Information Commissioner; and
  • comply with the conditions of any public interest approval issued by the Information Commissioner.

This policy aligns with:

  • Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021: Standard 7.3 Information Management

4 Principles

  1. The functions of the University necessitate the collection, creation and use of Personal Information.
  2. The University adopts the definition of Personal Information contained in the Act.
  3. The University is committed to protecting personal privacy, recognising that individuals have a reasonable expectation the University will protect and manage the Personal Information it collects and holds about them.
  4. The University will interpret and apply the Act to ensure it provides for the fair collection and handling of Personal Information and a right of access to, and amendment of, Personal Information in the University's possession or under its control unless, on balance, it is contrary to the public interest to give access to or allow the information to be amended.
  5. Subject to the provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009, the University will embrace the principles of openness and transparency regarding the information it holds.
  6. The Administrative Access Scheme operated by the University is the preferred method for providing access to Personal Information.
  7. The first point of contact for all privacy matters including complaints, application and amendment requests, and requests for internal review is the:

    Privacy Officer
    University of Southern Queensland
    Toowoomba Queensland 4350

5 References

Guidelines - Privacy Principles, Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC).

6 Schedules

This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.

7 Policy Information

Accountable Officer

Privacy Officer

Responsible Officer

Privacy Officer

Policy Type

Executive Policy

Policy Suite

Subordinate Schedules

Approved Date

25/6/2015

Effective Date

30/6/2015

Review Date

30/6/2020

Relevant Legislation

Information Privacy Act 2009

Information Privacy Regulation 2009

Right to Information Act 2009

Right to Information Regulation 2009

Public Records Act 2002

Policy Exceptions

Policy Exceptions Register

Related Policies

Administrative Access Scheme Policy

Code of Conduct Policy

Handling Personal Student Information Policy and Procedure

Media Engagement Policy

Right to Information Policy

Related Procedures

Administrative Access Scheme Procedure

Media Engagement Procedure

Privacy Procedure (under development)

Right to Information Procedure

Related forms, publications and websites

Administrative Access Scheme

Privacy Plan

Privacy Statement

Definitions

Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary

Personal Information

Is information or an opinion, including information or an opinion forming part of a database, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion....moreIs information or an opinion, including information or an opinion forming part of a database, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

University

The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland.

Definitions that relate to this policy only

Compliance Notice

As per section 158, Information Privacy Act 2009.

(Bound) Contracted Service Provider

Defined in Schedule 5, Dictionary of the Information Privacy Act 2009.

Information Commissioner

The information commissioner under the Right to Information Act 2009

Information Privacy Principles (IPPs)

As per Chapter 2, Information Privacy Act 2009.

Privacy Complaint

Defined in section 164, Information Privacy Act 2009.

Keywords

Privacy, Personal Information

Record No

13/404PL

Complying with the law and observing Policy and Procedure is a condition of working and/or studying at the University.

* This file is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) which requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Acrobat Reader may be obtained from Adobe. Users who are unable to access information in PDF should email policy@usq.edu.au to obtain this information in an alternative format.