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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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 private schools disclose non-educational related personal information about students to their parents?

Yes. Generally, non-educational material can be given to a parent where the student would reasonably expect this to happen.

Under the Privacy Act, schools need to consider:

the age of the student
the nature of the information
the student’s expectations about what information might be disclosed.

Policy documents

Clear policy documents available to parents and students could include what non-educational disclosures the school might make. Example: counselling records.

Sensitive information

Where sensitive information is involved, schools will need to consider:

the age and best interests of the student
the need for parents to be informed
the school's duty of care to the student.

Threat to life or health

A school can disclose information to a parent where it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious or imminent threat to a student's or someone elses's life, health or safety.

Need more information?

10 Steps Guides to protecting personal information
Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles, see sections:
- NPP 2 - Use and Disclosure
- NPP 5 - Openness policy documents
- NPP 10 - Sensitive information
The National Privacy Principles