Health Information and the Privacy Act 1988 - A Short Guide for the Private Health Sector (January 2002)

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and the A short guide for the private health sector December 2001   This Guide provides a brief introduction to the Commonwealth privacy law covering the private health sector. For private sector health service providers, the amended Privacy Act 1988 takes effect from 21 December 2001. This Guide does not describe the law in...

My Health My Privacy My Choice - a consumer's guide to privacy and health information (November 2002)

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In December 2001, all Australians were given new privacy rights. These rights protect the way your health information is handled by private health service providers and many other private sector organisations. My Privacy, My Choice The Privacy Act 1988 now includes ten National Privacy Principles or NPPs. These principles set the min...

Some Privacy Issues for Doctors (December 2001)

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For the first time in Australia, there is comprehensive privacy law covering the private sector. The Privacy Act 1988 has been amended to cover most private sector organisations, including all health service providers in Australia regardless of size. The new law operates from 21 December 2001. Privacy and Health Care Most people con...

Some Privacy Issues for Pharmacists (December 2001)

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For the first time in Australia, there is comprehensive privacy law covering the private sector. The Privacy Act 1988 has been amended to cover most private sector organisations, including all health service providers in Australia regardless of size. The new law operates from 21 December 2001. Privacy and Health Care Most people con...

H v Health Service Provider [2010] PrivCmrA 9

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Collection of sensitive information

A v Private Health Service Provider [2010] PrivCmrA 2

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Spent conviction information improperly taken into account

L v Health Service Provider [2009] PrivCmrA 15

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Improper listing of a payment default on an individual's consumer credit information file

J v Commonwealth Agency [2009] PrivCmrA 13

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Disclosure of personal information by a Commonwealth agency

F v Medical Specialist [2009] PrivCmrA 8

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Disclosure of sensitive personal information

Own Motion Investigation v Medical Centre [2009] PrivCmrA 6

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Failure to keep personal information secure

A v Medical Practitioner [2009] PrivCmrA 1

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Collection of personal information and access to personal information

W v Pathology Clinic [2008] PrivCmrA 24

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Disclosure of sensitive personal information

S v Health Service Provider [2008] PrivCmrA 19

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Failure to keep personal information secure

P v Private Health Service Provider [2008] PrivCmrA 16

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Failure to destroy personal information which is no longer needed.

K v Health Service Provider [2008] PrivCmrA 11

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Improper disclosure of health information to a newspaper.

D v Health Service Provider [2008] PrivCmrA 4

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Unauthorised access to and security of personal information.

C v Health Service Provider [2008] PrivCmrA 3

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Disclosure of personal information by a health service provider.

V v Medical Practitioner [2007] PrivCmrA 24

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Access to personal medical records used in legal proceedings

M v Health Service Provider [2007] PrivCmrA 15

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Collection of sensitive information

L v Contractor to Australian Government Agency [2007] PrivCmrA 14

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Improper disclosure of medical information

K v Health Service Provider [2007] PrivCmrA 13

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Access to medical records

H v Health Service Provider [2007] PrivCmrA 10

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Inappropriate disclosure of information

B v Surgeon [2007] PrivCmrA 2

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Access to medical records.

V v Health Service Provider [2006] PrivCmrA 21

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Loss of a medical record by a health service provider.

M v Health Service Provider [2006] PrivCmrA 12

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Improper disclosure of personal information by a health service provider.

L v Health Service Provider [2006] PrivCmrA 11

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Access to sensitive personal information.

D v Health Service Provider; E v Health Service Provider; F v Health Service Provider; G v Health Service Provider [2005] PrivCmrA 4

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Application of charges for providing access to personal information.

A v Private Sector Health Service Provider [2004] PrivCmrA 14

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Excessive charge imposed for access to personal information (medical records)

P v Various Entities [2004] PrivCmrA 12

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Improper use of personal information / declined to investigate on the basis that the complaint was lacking in substance

D v Private Health Service Provider [2003] PrivCmrA 2

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Access to personal information collected before 21 December 2001

Public Interest Determination No. 11B

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Privacy Act 1988 - Part VI - Public Interest Determination No. 11B - Amendments to Public Interest Determinations No.s 11 and 11A - Collection and use of contact details of genetic relatives to enable use or disclosure of genetic information – Effective 25 December 2010 - 14 December 2015 inclusive.

Public Interest Determination No. 11

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Privacy Act 1988, Part VI – Public Interest Determination No. 11 – Collection and use of contact details of genetic relatives to enable use or disclosure of genetic information - In relation to National Privacy Principles 2.1 and 10.1 - Effective: 15 December 2010 to 14 December 2015 inclusive…

Public Interest Determination No. 11A

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Privacy Act 1988, Part VI – Public Interest Determination No. 11A – Collection and use of contact details of genetic relatives to enable use or disclosure of genetic information - In relation to National Privacy Principles 2.1 and 10.1 - Effective: 15 December 2010 to 14 December 2015 inclusive…

Public Interest Determination No. 1

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PART VI - PUBLIC INTEREST DETERMINATION NO. 1 (PID 1) In respect of Application No : 1 (dated 5 September 1989) Applicant : Director of Public Prosecutions (the agency) Nature of the Application: Disclosure of personal information to t...

Temporary Public Interest Determination No 2009-1: Collection and use of contact details of genetic relatives to enable disclosure of genetic information

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Determination No 2009-1A giving general effect to Temporary Public Interest Determination No 2009-1

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Guidelines under section 95 of the Privacy Act 1988: privacy and medical research (March 2000)

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Guidelines under section 95A of the Privacy Act 1988 (December 2001)

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Guidelines under section 95AA of the Privacy Act 1988: Use and disclosure of genetic information to a patient’s genetic relatives (December 2009)

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Privacy Guidelines for the Medicare Benefits and Pharmaceutical Benefits Programs (issued March 2008 - effective from 1 July 2008)

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Issued under section 135AA of the National Health Act 1953 Issued on 6 March 2008 to take effect on 1 July 2008 Part A) Australian Government Agencies Guideline 1: Handling of claims information Part B) Medicare Australia Guideline 2: Management of claims information by Medica...

Privacy in the Private Health Sector (November 2001)

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Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner 9 November 2001 Foreword The Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 extends the operation of the Privacy Act 1988 to cover the private health sector throughout Australia. The co-regulatory approach offered by the legislation allo...

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 29 - 2009: Use or disclosure of genetic information in the private health sector

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This information sheet is for health service providers in the private health sector.  It relates to privacy and the use or disclosure of genetic information to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health or safety of a patient’s genetic relatives.

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 25 - 2008: Sharing health information to provide a health service

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Key Messages Privacy and caring for your patient The federal Privacy Act is consistent with good treatment practices and promotes appropriate information flows within the health sector, by building on existing relationships of trust between health professionals and patients. What does the Privacy Act say about how patients information sho...

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 24 - 2008: Disclosure of health information and impaired capacity

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Key Messages The Privacy Act and Impaired Capacity There will often be times where a patient is unable to give consent to the disclosure of their health information to loved ones. Under the federal Privacy Act, doctors and other health service providers may share the information of an incapacitated patient with family, a partner or...

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 23 - 2008: Use and disclosure of health information for management, funding and monitoring of a health service

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Key Messages Privacy and the handling of health information The federal Privacy Act is consistent with good treatment practices and permits appropriate information flows within the private health care sector, including for the management, funding and monitoring of a health service. It achieves this by building on existing relationships of t...

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 22 - 2008: Fees for access to health information under the Privacy Act

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Key Messages The Privacy Act and charging fees for access The federal Privacy Actrequires health service providers in the private sector to give a patient access to their health information if requested, unless a listed exception applies. Under the Privacy Act: providers are not required to charge a fee for giving access;...

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 21 - 2008: Denial of access to health information due to a serious threat to life or health

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Key Messages The Privacy Act and access to health information The federal Privacy Act requires health service providers in the private sector to give a patient access to their health information if the individual requests it. However, access may be denied to the individual if an exception listed in the Privacy Act applies....

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 19 - 2007: The Prescription Shopping Information Service (PSIS) and The Privacy Act

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Key Message In order to comply with Privacy Act obligations, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner advises practitioners that it is generally good privacy practice to seek the patients consent before collecting health information from the Prescription Shopping Information Service (PSIS). However, the Privacy Act also permits...

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 15 - 2002: National Privacy Principle 7 - Identifiers in the Health Sector

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This Information Sheet has been developed in response to a number of enquiries in relation to the adoption, use and disclosure of Commonwealth identifiers (including the Medicare number) in the health sector. These enquiries have arisen with the commencement of the Commonwealth-s new privacy law. This law came into effect on 21 De...

Information Sheet (Private Sector) 9 - 2001: Handling Health Information for Research and Management

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Under the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) sensitive information cannot usually be collected without the persons consent (NPP 10). Health information is one type of sensitive information (as defined in section 6 of the Privacy Act, 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act)). However NPP 10.3 permits organisations to collect health informatio...

Privacy Commissioner to advise DHS on service delivery reform

16 Dec 09 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has announced that her Office will be working with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to help ensure that its service delivery reform incorporates privacy safeguards.

New privacy guidelines for health practitioners on disclosing genetic information

15 Dec 09 JOINT MEDIA RELEASE of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the National Health and Medical Research Council

Major health insurer awarded for privacy training program

12 Nov 09 The health insurance giant, Australian Health Management, was named tonight as the winner of the Large Business category of the Australian Privacy Awards 2009.

Media Release: Medicare Australia wins Grand Award for privacy

27 August 2008 Medicare Australia was named tonight as the winner of the Grand Award in the inaugural Australian Privacy Awards program. "Medicare Australia''s nomination was outstanding, showing how the agency has integrated good privacy practices into all areas of its operations," said Karen Curtis, the Australian Privacy Commissioner....

Media Release: Dental Association rewarded for good privacy

27 August 2008 The Australian Dental Association, NSW Branch, was named tonight as the winner of the Community and NGO Award category in the inaugural Australian Privacy Awards program. "When people go to the dentist, or any health service provider, they expect their personal information to be safeguarded by the dentist and sta...

Media Release: E-health privacy blueprint - robust legislation is needed says Privacy Commissioner

15 August 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for legislation for the proposed national Individual Electronic Health Records (IEHR) system. "The National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) has identified some valuable privacy considerations for the proposed IEHR...

Media Release: New privacy guidance to assist private health service providers

11 March 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today issued new privacy guidance materials for medical practitioners and other health service providers and the public. ''The new guidance materials are the culmination of an extensive consultation process by my Office, and offer health care pr...

Media Release: Revised privacy guidelines for Medicare & PBS claims information

07 March 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has issued a revised set of Guidelines covering the handling of claims information collected under the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits programs. "The Guidelines seek to maintain a high level of privacy protection for Australians claims information, whil...

Media Release: Doctors can continue to collect information from patients about relatives, says Privacy Commissioner

13 December 2007 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has made two ''Public Interest Determinations'' to continue to allow health service providers to collect health information from patients about their family medical history without seeking the family members'' consent. The information can only be collected where relevant to the pat...

Media Release: Access Card Bill makes progress in promoting privacy, says Privacy Commissioner

22/08/2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has acknowledged the progress made with the second public exposure draft of the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007, in advancing privacy protections for the Governments proposed Access Card. "While there are still a number of steps that can be taken to enhance the Access...

Media Release: HCF did not breach Privacy Act for 'Helping Hands' Program, says Privacy Commissioner

27 July 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has found that private health insurance company HCF did not breach the Privacy Act when it disclosed the personal and sensitive information of its clients to McKesson Asia Pacific ("McKesson") as part of its Helping Hands program. "My Office views any suggestion of privacy breaches by organis...

Media Release: Access Card consultations will allow remaining privacy concerns to be aired, says Privacy Commissioner

21st June 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has welcomed the release of the second exposure draft for the Access Card legislation [accesscard.gov.au] and the consultation process. "Extensive consultation regarding the proposed Access Card legislation will allow the Cards privacy safeguards to be thoroughly examined," Ms C...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner releases Information Sheet on Prescription Shopping Information Service

4th May 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has released a new Information Sheet on Privacy and the Prescription Shopping Information Service (PSIS), available at http://www.privacy.gov.au/publications/IS19_07.html. The Information Sheet is intended to provide private sector medical practitioners with an overview of their Privacy Act...

Media Announcement: Submission to Privacy Task Force on Proposal for optional health and emergency information

26 March 2007 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has released a submission made in response to the second discussion paper released by the Minister for Human Services Consumer and Privacy Taskforce. This discussion paper concerns the proposals for Optional Health and Emergency Information to be stored on the Access Card. The submissio...

Media Release: National consistency needed in health privacy law, says Privacy Commissioner

8 March 2007  The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has called for the Privacy Act to ''cover the field in regulating health service providers in the private sector.  "At present, private sector health service providers can have privacy obligations under both State and Federal laws, which can create significant confusion...

Media Announcement: Privacy Commissioner comments on draft Access Card legislation

22/1/07 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has welcomed the exposure draft of the legislation governing the health and social services access card and accompanying system. "The legislation presents an opportunity to prescribe the purpose, functions and practical operation of the access card and has the potential to offer Austra...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes release of the Access Card Task Force Report

8/11/06 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, today welcomed the release by the Minister for Human Services of the Consumer and Privacy Task Force Report into the Health and Social Services Access Card, as well as the generally positive response by the Government to the Task Forces recommendations. "I am pleased to see the emphasis that has b...

Media Announcement: Privacy Commissioner responds to Access Card Taskforce Paper

25/08/2006 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has recommended a range of privacy safeguards be developed for the proposed health and social services access card. These recommendations have been made in her submission to the first Discussion Paper released by the Access Card Consumer and Privacy Taskforce. ''There is a need to ensure t...

Media Announcement: Privacy Commissioner Releases Review Report for Medicare and PBS Privacy Guidelines

1 August 2006The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has today released the report of her Offices Review of the Privacy Guidelines for the Handling of Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) claims information. The Guidelines are issued under section 135AA of the National Health Act 1953, and it is a function of the Privacy Commissioner to m...

Media Announcement: Privacy Commissioner comments on the health and welfare access card system

27 April 2006"I believe that the potential benefits the access card could bring to health and welfare service delivery can be achieved while respecting the privacy rights of individuals," said Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis. "However, for this to occur it is essential that appropriate privacy protections are built in early, particularly into...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner makes health related determinations

9 February 2006 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has made two health related temporary public interest determinations. "The determinations continue arrangements established in February 2005 in response to an application from a doctor in private practice who was concerned that accessing the Information Service provided by Medicare Aust...

Media Statement: Commissioner clarifies media inaccuracies that doctors are selling patient information to drug companies

26 May 2005 "Recent media reports about the Offices investigations into information flows between doctors and the Health Communications Network Limited (HCN) and CAMM Pacific are inaccurate and may have led to confusion among consumers," said Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis. "It is important that people know that I have not approved...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner concludes investigation into CAMM Pacific and Health Communications Network Limited

11 May 2005 "Most people consider that health information about them is quite sensitive. When my Office became aware that the personal information of patients may have been inappropriately disclosed by doctors to CAMM Pacific via Health Communications Network Limiteds (HCN) Medical Director software, I chose to investigate," said Privacy C...

Announcement: Review of the Medicare and PBS Privacy Guidelines issued under section 135AA of the National Health Act 1953

The Federal Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, is asking organisations, agencies and individuals to give their views about the operation of the Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Programs Privacy Guidelines. All interested parties are invited to make submissions to the review. Background The Privacy Guidelines apply to the handling of i...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes Mental Health Coalition's Privacy Kit

6/4/04Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton has welcomed the work of the Mental Health Coalition in developing a kit on privacy in the mental health sector. The kit will assist providers, consumers and carers. "Privacy presents challenges for those involved with mental health services, and yet it is of great importance in the sector,...

Media Release: Privacy Act and photos in nursing homes

27/08/2003 Deputy Federal Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim is concerned to hear media reports claiming that some nursing homes have decided to remove the names and photographs of nursing home residents from their doors. "The federal Privacy Act is about respect, courtesy and common sense," said Mr Pilgrim. "The Act does not prevent n...

Media Release: Protection of Human Genetic Information - Report released

29 May 2003 The Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today welcomed the launch of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) Joint Inquiry Report: Essentially Yours: The Protection of Human Genetic Information in Australia by the Commonwealth Attorney-General and Minister for Health a...

Media Release: Privacy advice for health consumers

November 25 2002 A new health information privacy brochure, released today by the Federal Privacy Commissioner, clarifies Australians privacy rights when it comes to their personal health information. "More than 1000 people have called my office in the last five months to enquire about health information and privacy," said Federal P...

Media Release: Seeking comment on first Privacy Act determination for private sector

24 June 2002 "As I promised in February this year, my Office is working to ensure that taking family medical histories as a part of providing health care is permitted under the Privacy Act 1988" said Mr Crompton, Federal Privacy Commissioner. "To that end, I am inviting public comment on ACHA Healths application for a Public Interest Deter...

Media Release: Privacy Solutions for Doctors

14 February 2002 "I am currently working with private sector health providers and consumer groups to ensure that taking family medical histories as a part of medical treatments is properly authorised under the Privacy Act 1988" said Mr Crompton, Privacy Commissioner, as he announced receipt of an application for a Public Interest D...

Media Release: Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector

3/10/2001 Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today released the finalised Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector. Mr Crompton said, "The Guidelines will help health service providers better fulfil their obligations under the amended Privacy Act (that comes in force on 21 December 2001). The Guidelines clarify the privacy righ...

Media Release: Right of access to health information - a legal first!

14/5/2001 "Every Australian will have a right of access to their health information on 21 December 2001. They will also have the right to correct inaccuracies on their records," said Malcolm Crompton, Privacy Commissioner, today as he released the Draft Health Privacy Guidelines for public comment. "Consumer choice and control over...

Media Release: Gene Technology Inquiry is an opportunity to get privacy right

Media Release 9/8/2000 Gene Technology Inquiry is an opportunity to get privacy right Safeguarding privacy of personal health information will be essential if the community is to gain the benefits from adoption of new gene technologies in the treatment of medical conditions. The Privacy Commissioner Malcolm Crompton, applauded...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner welcomes attention to privacy issues in Health Online

4/11/1999 Federal Privacy Commissioner, Malcolm Crompton, today welcomed the recognition of the importance of personal privacy in proposals for a national plan of action for information management in the health sector. "All of us have a vested interest in better management of our health information," said Commissioner Crompton. "It is wid...

Advice for credit providers and credit reporting agencies when contracting out record management functions

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Application for Public Interest Determination relating to genetic information July 2009

pdf (211.84 KB)

See PDF above

Approval by the Privacy Commissioner of guidelines issued under section 95AA of the Privacy Act 1988

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Draft Public Interest Determination No. 11

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Draft Public Interest Determination No. 11A

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Explanatory Statement - section 135AA Guidelines

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Issued under section 135AA of the National Health Act 1953 Issued on 6 March 2008 to take effect on 1 July 2008 Explanatory statement for the Privacy Guidelines for the Medicare Benefits and Pharmaceutical Benefits Programs 1. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY Authority for making the Guidelines Relevant provisions of the P...

Explanatory statement for PIDs 10 & 10A

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December 2007 Explanatory Statement 1.      PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY 1.1      Public Interest Determinations 10 and 10A This explanatory statement has been drafted for the purpose of fulfilling the Privacy Commissioners obligations under section 26(1) of the Legislative In...

Explanatory Statement – section 95AA Guidelines

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Personal Information Digest - Form

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Privacy Commissioner's notice issuing the s 135AA Guidelines

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Synopsis of Government Response to ALRC Report 108 - Health Services and Research

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135AA Review Report

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Report of the Privacy Commissioners Review of the Privacy Guidelines for the Handling of Medicare and PBS claims information August 2006Skip to content Table of Contents Table of Contents FOREWORD SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 1. OVERVIEW Background to the Review Terms...

Privacy, research and e-health

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Speech by Timothy Pilgrim, Deputy Privacy Commissioner, to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Conference, Canberra, 23 June 2010

Australian Health Privacy Law - Options for Reform

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Speech by Andrew Solomon, Director, Policy, to Health Privacy Futures 2008 Conference, Brisbane, 10 November 2008.

Federal Health Privacy Law and options for Reform

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Speech by Nari Sahukar, Deputy Director (A/g), Policy, to the Medico Legal Congress 2008, Sydney, 27 February 2008.

Privacy and Research - Opportunities for better outcomes

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Speech by Clare Vinecombe, Deputy Director (A/g), Compliance, to the 2007 National Research Ethics Conference, Melbourne, 17-18 October 2007.

Privacy regulation and e-Research

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Speech by Andrew Hayne, Deputy Director, Policy, to the Legal Framework for e-Research Conference Queensland University of Technology, 11-12 July 2007.

Privacy essentials for electronic health records

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Speech by Andrew Hayne, Deputy Director, Policy, Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Delivered to Consumer Health Forum, electronic health records consumer representatives meeting, 4 April 2006.

Ensuring Consumer Privacy While Achieving Continuity of Care

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a presentation by Paul Armstrong, Director, Policy, Office of the Privacy Commissioner to the 2nd National Health Online Summit, Brisbane, 4 March 2003.

Electronic Health Records: Privacy as an essential building block

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a presentation by Paul Armstrong, Director, Policy, Office of the Privacy Commissioner to the AFR 5th Health Congress, Sydney, 28 February 2003.

Privacy and Pathology

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a presentation by Hugh Clapin, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Privacy Commissioner to the Quality Use of Pathology Committee, Sydney, 19 February 2003.

Privacy and Health Insurance

pdf (2.86 MB)

a presentation by Hugh Clapin, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Privacy Commissioner to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman Fourth Annual Seminar

Health Information Privacy

pdf (1.74 MB)

a speech delivered by Hugh Clapin, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, to the Health Information Management Association of Australia (HIMAA), NSW Branch, 18 October 2002.

Privacy, technology and the healthcare sector

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delivered by Malcolm Crompton, Privacy Commissioner, to The Australian Financial Review Fourth Annual Health Congress, Sydney, 28 February 2002

Safety and Quality

pdf (599.87 KB)

delivered by Hugh Clapin, Policy Advisor to the Safety and Quality Council, Hobart, 13 February 2002

Health & Privacy - Issues for Divisions of General Practice

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a speech delivered by Hugh Clapin, Senior Policy Adviser, to the National Divisions of General Practice Forum 2001, Sydney, 24 November 2001

Health & Privacy - Issues for Divisions of General Practice - Paul Armstrong

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a speech delivered by Paul Armstrong, Director Policy, Office of Privacy Commissioner to the Victorian Divisions of General Practice, Melbourne on 2 November 2001

Health and Privacy, Issues for Private Hospitals

pdf (648.42 KB)

a speech delivered by Paul Armstrong, Director, Policy to the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) 21st National Congress, Sydney, 23 October 2001

Privacy, Health Information and Employee Records: Implications of New Commonwealth Privacy Laws

pdf (251.55 KB)

a speech delivered by Paul Armstrong, Director, Policy, to the PACRIM Conference, Cairns 9 October 2001

Implementing Privacy Legislation in the Health Care Sector--Challenges & Perspectives

pdf (253.06 KB)

a talk delivered by Malcolm Crompton, Privacy Commissioner to a University of Sydney Faculty of Law, Health Law Seminar, 26 June 2001

Talking points for Privacy Commissioner at National Health Online Summit Adelaide, 3 August 2000

National Health Online Summit Adelaide, 3 August 2000

National Pharmaceutical Services Association

pdf (378.84 KB)

Presentation to the National Pharmaceutical Services Association, Terrigal, 21 July 1999

Inquiry into donor conception in Australia; Submission to Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee (September 2010)

pdf (484.08 KB)

Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs; Healthcare Identifiers Bill 2010 and Healthcare Identifiers (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010 (March 2010)

pdf (473.18 KB)

Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs in relation to the Healthcare Identifiers Bill 2010 and Healthcare Identifiers (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010 (March 2010)

Exposure Draft of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Bill B); Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee (July 2009)

pdf (302.93 KB)

Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee on the Inquiry into the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Doctors and other Health Workers (July 2009)

National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the Health Professions (NRAS): Proposed arrangements for information sharing and privacy; Submission to the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (December 2008)

pdf (639.63 KB)

December 2008 Executive Summary 1. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (the Office) supports the development of a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for the health professions (NRAS) that protects and respects practitioners privacy through sound information-handling practices, while maintaining high quality and safety...

Northern Territory Emergency Response Review; Submission to the Review Board (September 2008)

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Our reference: P07/119rl Mr Peter Yu Chairman NTER Review Board Secretariat GPO Box 7576 Canberra Business Centre, ACT 2610 Dear Mr Yu REVIEW OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY EMERGENCY RE...

Consultation on the Privacy Blueprint for the Individual Electronic Health Record; Submission to the National E-Health Transition Authority (August 2008)

pdf (323.67 KB)

August 2008 Executive summary 1. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (the Office) supports the development of an individual electronic health record (IEHR) system to enhance the delivery of healthcare through improved sharing of selected health information. In the Offices view, the assurance that privacy is protected will be a ke...

Consultation on the Draft Principles for Australia's Health System; Submission to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission (May 2008)

pdf (162.22 KB)

May 2008 Summary a) The reform agenda for the health system is being developed at the same time as the Australian Law Reform Commission is finalising its inquiry into privacy laws in Australia. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner notes that each agenda shares the common concern of examining the importance of national consistency. This...

Consultation Paper for the Draft National Patient Charter of Rights; Submission to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (March 2008)

pdf (2.12 MB)

Our reference: P07/132-1 Dr Nicola Dunbar National Patient Charter of Rights Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care GPO Box 5480 SYDNEY NSW 2001 Dear Dr Dunbar SUBMISSION ON THE CONSULTATION PAPER FOR THE DRAFT NATIONAL PATIENT CHARTER OF RIGHTS The Office o...

Consultation on the second exposure draft of the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007; Submission to the Australian Government Office of the Access Card (August 2007)

pdf (389.81 KB)

Submission to the Australian Government Office of the Access Card August 2007 Summary Office of the Privacy Commissioner Background Previous engagement Structure of this submission Privacy and the access card system Public engagement and scrutiny Progress since the...

Inquiry into the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Bill 2007 & Related Bills: Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (August 2007)

pdf (52.43 KB)

Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs August 2007

Consultation on the Privacy Blueprint - Unique Health Identifiers (Version 1.0); Submission to the National E-Health Transition Authority (March 2007)

pdf (273.47 KB)

Submission to the National E-Health Transition Authority March 2007 About the...

Inquiry into the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007; Submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee (February 2007)

pdf (173.38 KB)

Submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee February 2007 Office of the Privacy Commissioner Background General comments Detailed comments on the Bill Part 1 - Introduction Part 2 - Registration Information on the register Discretionary funct...

Consultation on the Exposure Draft of the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007; Submission to the Office of the Access Card (January 2007)

pdf (90.65 KB)

Consultation on the Australian Government Health and Social Services Access Card - Discussion Paper Number 1; Submission to the Department of Human Services: Access Card Consumer and Privacy Taskforce (August 2006)

pdf (216.12 KB)

August 2006 Table of Contents Summary Office of the Privacy Commissioner Background Structure of this submission Preliminary Comments by the Office Incorporating fundamental privacy principles into policy settings Necessity for a comprehensive privacy...

Submission: ALRC/AHEC Genetics Inquiry (February 2003)

pdf (154.26 KB)

Submission on Joint Inquiry into the Protection of Human Genetic Information to the Australian Law Reform Commission/Australian Health Ethics Committee February 2003

Submission: ALRC/AHEC Joint Inquiry: Protection of Human Genetic Information (March 2002)

pdf (311.9 KB)

Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission/Australian Health Ethics Committee - Joint Inquiry into the Protection of Human Genetic Information (March 2002)

Submission: Genetic Privacy and Non-Discrimination Bill 1998 (May 1998)

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Submission: Telemedicine - Supplementary (October 1997)

pdf (30.91 KB)

Submission: Telemedicine (September 1996)

pdf (204.52 KB)

Submission: Health Insurance Amendment Bill (No 2) 1996

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