Site Changes

On 1 November 2010 the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and a new website established at www.oaic.gov.au.

Note 1: Major changes to the Privacy Act 1988 will come into effect in March 2014. Agencies, businesses and not for profits need to start preparing for these changes. For more information go to our privacy law reform page at www.oaic.gov.au
Note 2: From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date. For new privacy content visit the www.oaic.gov.au website.

Can non-custodial parents whose children attend a private school/college get access to their children`s school reports?

Yes.

In most circumstances, it will be reasonable under the Privacy Act to allow non-custodial parents to have access.

Limits to access

There may be times when access will not be reasonable. A school will need to carefully consider these cases.

Example

There is demonstrable risk to the child, including where a Court protection order is in place. The protection order may deny a parent access to a child, or limit the parent's access to information about the child.

Need more information?

NPP 2.1(a), the use and disclosure of personal information
The National Privacy Principles (NPPs) in the Privacy Act apply to private schools across Australia. They do not apply to State and Territory public schools, which are not regulated by the Privacy Act. Note the Information Privacy Principles apply to public schools in the ACT. Other privacy legislation may also apply to other State or Territory public schools.
10 Steps Guides to protecting personal information