Privacy Policy

Introduction

Top

La Trobe Melbourne’s role as an education provider requires the collection, storage and use of personal information relating to its students, staff and other clients. La Trobe Melbourne recognises its obligation with regards to the collection, storage and use of this information.

La Trobe Melbourne’s Privacy Policy has been developed in accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) which apply to private sector organisations.

The overall responsibility for privacy of information for La Trobe Melbourne resides with the Academic Director or Director of Studies. They are the first point of contact for privacy matters including general information, requests to access and/or amend personal information, and for internal review and resolution of complaints.

Collection of Personal Information

Top

Personal information is defined as any information that would allow an individual to be identified. Personal information can be an opinion, which need not be true, or anything from which the person's identity could be reasonably ascertained. Common examples of personal identifiers are name, date of birth, physical characteristics and most commonly, staff or student identification numbers.

La Trobe Melbourne collects personal information through a variety of paper and electronic formats in regards to its staff, students and external clients. All information collected is for the purposes of the operations of La Trobe Melbourne, or where dictated by legislative guidelines.

Individuals can obtain information in regards to the collect of personal information from the College Director and Principal.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Top

Principle 2 of the National Privacy Principles (NPP) outlines the situations in which an organisation can disclose personal information to a third party. As a general rule, La Trobe Melbourne will not use or disclose personal information unless the person about whom the information relates is aware of, or has consented to, the use or disclosure of their information.

Personal information may be disclosed where an individual has consented to the disclosure, and a common example is where students permit the release of information to their agent and/or parents. In addition, information may be disclosed in situations where individuals have been informed of the usual practice of disclosure, such as the transfer of results to La Trobe University.

In rare circumstances information in regards to an individual may be disclosed where:

  • There is a serious and imminent threat to life, health or safety;
  • There is a requirement under law, or authorised by law;
  • There is a requirement under an enforcement body; or
  • Statutory Requirements for Collection and Disclosure of Personal Information.

La Trobe Melbourne is required to collect and disclose information during a student's admission and enrolment to the College in order to meet our obligations under a range of legislative requirements.

Common examples of the disclosure of information include:

  • Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - statistical information about student enrolment, educational background country of birth, or where a student has requested financial assistance
  • Department of Immigration and Citizenship - reporting requirements of matters related to students on student visas under the Migration Act 1958.
  • Centrelink - enrolment information on domestic students accessing Centrelink benefits
  • Worldcare Assist - where international students pay their Overseas Student Health Cover through La Trobe Melbourne
  • Fund Manager of the ESOS Assurance Fund - tuition assurance for international students
  • Australian Council for Private Education and Training - administration of the Australian Student Tuition Assurance Scheme and International Student Tuition Assurance Scheme.

The authority to collect this information is contained in the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, the Education Services for Overseas Students Regulations 2001, the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007, the Higher Education Support Act 2003, Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 and Student Assistance Act 1973, Migration Act 1958. Information collected can be provided, in certain circumstances, to the Australian Government and designated authorities and, if relevant, the Tuition Assurance Scheme and the ESOS Assurance Fund Manager.

Access to Personal Information

Top

Individuals can obtain information about personal information which La Trobe Melbourne may hold about them by contacting the College Director and Principal. Individuals can also contact the College Director and Principal to request amendments to the personal information held by the College about them.

La Trobe Melbourne also provides students with the opportunity to review and amend their personal information through the La Trobe Melbourne student’s Portal.

Requests for access to personal information must be made in writing to the College Director and Principal.

Storage and Security of Personal Information

Top

La Trobe Melbourne ensures that personal information is protected against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure, other misuse.

La Trobe Melbourne takes all reasonable steps to destroy hard copies of personal information that is no longer required, and destruction of personal information is undertaken by secured means.

Grievance and Review Procedures

Top

If an individual believes that their personal information has not been dealt with in accordance with an NPP they may lodge a Non-Academic Grievance.

The grievance should be lodged with the College Director and Principal in the first instance for resolution. All grievances and complaints must be made in writing within the timeframe specified in the Non-Academic Grievance Policy.