INFORMATION & HEALTH PRIVACY PUBLIC POLICY

General Privacy Principles

The Victorian Information Privacy Act 2000 sets standards for the way Victorian government organisations, statutory bodies and local councils collect and handle your personal information. Ten information privacy principles are the practical core of the Information Privacy Act. With limited exceptions, all Victorian government organisations, including local councils, must comply with these principles or have an approved code of practice. Non-government organisations that work for government under contract may also be covered, depending on the contract. The Information Privacy Act came into full effect on 1 September 2002.

'Personal information' means recorded information or opinion, whether true or not, about an identifiable individual. Personal information can be almost any information linked to an individual, including name, address, sex, age, financial details, marital status, education, criminal record or employment history.

The Information Privacy Principles give Victorians privacy rights.

See also pages 3-8 of Information & Health Privacy Public Policy (PDF - 55KB).

Information Collected on City of Ballarat Website

Personal information may be recorded when accessing the City of Ballarat's website in the following circumstances:

• in the event of an investigation when a law enforcement agency may exercise a warrant to inspect the Internet Service Provider's or City of Ballarat's website logs
• if you choose to subscribe to receive information from the City of Ballarat on the topics of your choice

No attempt will be made to identify your personal details except in the circumstances outlined above.

See also pages 8-10 of Information & Health Privacy Public Policy (PDF - 55KB).

Enquiries and Complaint Handling

Our Information Privacy Office is where all enquiries/complaints about Personal Privacy can be referred. The Privacy Office is responsible for maintaining Council's Policy on its management of personal information and ensures that the Policy document is made available to anyone who asks for it. Council encourages individuals to send written complaints direct to Council about a breach, or perceived breach, of privacy.

See also pages 10-13 of Information & Health Privacy Public Policy (PDF - 55KB).