Background
This Policy outlines the way in which the Association of Independent Schools of NSW Ltd (AISNSW) manages personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act. This policy does not apply in respect of employee records of AISNSW staff.
The kind of information we collect
AISNSW collects both personal information and non-personal information. Personal information has the meaning given to it in the Privacy Act, and includes information or an opinion, whether true or not, about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.
The general type of personal information AISNSW may collect and hold includes personal information about:
- staff and governors at schools;
- students enrolled at member schools and their parents/guardians;
- students taking part in Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses;
- people who attend and/or present at our training programs and conferences;
- job applicants, staff, consultants and other contractors;
- other people who come into contact with AISNSW or AISNSW BGA; and
- personal information held on behalf of AISNSW BGA and Australian Independent Schools Fund (AISF).
In general, the personal information AISNSW collects and holds includes the name of the individual, their email address and the school with which they are associated at the time of contact. It may include contact details, educational qualifications and other matters which are relevant for the purpose for which they were collected. It can also include sensitive information such as individual's membership of a professional association or trade union, criminal record, health and dietary information, racial or ethnic origin and religious affiliations.
Teacher Accreditation
AISNSW provides teachers accreditation services through the Teacher Accreditation team. For this purpose, AISNSW collects information about teachers wishing to be accredited and who are accredited through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and/or AISNSW. The type of information collected is the information which AISNSW requires to accredit teachers at the levels of Experienced Teacher or Professional Excellence and/or support teachers to achieve Proficient Teacher accreditation through NESA. It could include sensitive information about criminal records.
AISNSW Registered Training Organisation
AISNSW Registered Training Organisation (RTO) acts as a registered training organisation for member schools that provide VET courses. All RTOs are required by law to provide certain personal information about students undertaking VET courses to the National Centre for Vocational Research Ltd (NCVER). Schools for whom AISNSW RTO acts provide personal information of VET students to NESA which collects it on behalf of AISNSW RTO and then provide it to NCVER. AISNSW RTO staff have access to this information but do not use or disclose it.
How we collect and hold your personal information
AISNSW will generally collect personal information:
- from individuals directly when they provide their details to AISNSW;
- from individuals indirectly through emails, meetings, attendance at seminars, telephone and online conversations, interaction with online course materials as well as other communications and their use of AISNSW services;
- from schools when it is necessary for AISNSW to have this information to provide advice and other services, including teacher accreditation services or investigation services.
AISNSW staff are required to protect the confidentiality of personal information and the privacy of individuals.
AISNSW also takes reasonable steps to protect personal information held by AISNSW from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.
When AISNSW no longer needs personal information for an authorised purpose, the organisation will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it in alignment with AISNSW data retention processes.
Why we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information
AISNSW collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information as reasonably necessary and permitted under law:
- to conduct AISNSW affairs;
- to provide advice and assistance to schools;
- to conduct investigations about matters relating to schools, staff or students;
- to conduct surveys on behalf of member schools;
- to provide specialist services including teacher accreditation and as an RTO;
- to promote independent schooling;
- to provide specialist programs for teachers, operational staff and governors;
- in relation to personal information of students for the purpose of funding applications and other program activities which assist students; and
- to comply with legal obligations.
To whom we disclose personal information
AISNSW may disclose personal information, including sensitive information to:
- schools seeking the service;
- government departments and education authorities;
- courts, tribunals and regulatory authorities; and
- people who assist AISNSW in providing services.
Disclosure of information overseas
AISNSW may, in limited circumstances, disclose personal information to overseas recipients, such as when AISNSW engages companies or individuals who assist us in providing services or who perform functions on our behalf (such as third-party service providers or specialist consultants).
Access to your personal information
Individuals may seek access to and correct personal information by submitting a request to the AISNSW Privacy Officer via email. In responding to a request AISNSW will require verification of identity and specificity about the information sought. AISNSW may refuse to provide personal information if AISNSW believes the request to be inappropriate and such refusal is authorised under the Australian Privacy Principles.
Making privacy complaints
If individuals or representatives of schools have any questions about privacy related matters or wish to complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles or the handling of information, they may contact the AISNSW Privacy Officer and lodge a complaint in writing. Any complaint will be investigated by the Privacy Officer. The complainant will be notified of the decision in relation to the complaint as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days.
If AISNSW is unable to satisfactorily resolve the concerns about the handling of personal information, the complainant can contact:
Office of the Australian Information Commission
GPO Box 5288
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Email: enquiries@oaic.gov.au
Revision of policy
This policy may be reviewed and revised from time to time to take into account changes in AISNSW practices and changes in legislative requirements
