Standard Privacy Statement for Student Related Forms/Publications/Websites

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Privacy legislation

The University of Melbourne has a statutory obligation to comply with the Information Privacy Act (VIC) 2000 and the Health Records Act (VIC) 2001 in its treatment of personal and health information regarding students.

What we collect and why

The University collects information about a student for a number of purposes. The main purposes are to enable proper administration of an individual's course of study, to assist the University to organise programs for the health and welfare of students and to foster alumni relations and promote University activities. Information is also collected under Commonwealth or State Government legislation for the purposes of reporting annually to these governments and for the administration of, but not limited to, the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) and the Youth Allowance (Austudy and Abstudy). Information may also be collected to facilitate internal planning.

Accuracy, security and storage of information

The University holds personal information on computer and paper based records. It takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the information it holds is accurate and complete and that it is protected from misuse, loss, unauthorised access or disclosure.

Disclosure of information

Information concerning enrolled students is maintained by the Student Administration section in the University's Academic Services Division. The University will not disclose personal information about you without your permission or unless permitted or required by law.

Examples of instances when personal information about you may be disclosed are:

• informing Centrelink of your enrolment details if you are in receipt of payments;
• releasing statistical information to the Department of Education, Science and Training;
• releasing statistical information to the Office of Training and Tertiary Education;
• releasing information to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
• informing the Australian Taxation Office of your taxation liabilities;
• assisting the police with personal information about you if you are alleged to have been involved in a criminal offence;
• releasing your academic details to another tertiary institution or tertiary admission centre if you apply to transfer studies; and
• publishing the names of graduates.

Access to personal information

Access to and correction of your information are handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Data obtained via the Enrolment Questionnaire that is reported to the Commonwealth Government can be viewed (and, if necessary, corrected) at http://sis.unimelb.edu.au.

University Privacy Officer/Privacy policy

The University's Privacy Officer is the University Secretary, Ms Janet White. The Privacy Officer's website, contains the University's Privacy Policy and provides detailed information about the contact details, complaints procedures and other aspects of the University's privacy regime.

Questions

If you have an enquiry about your privacy rights in relation to the collection of information from students, please contact the University's Privacy Officer.