Requesting our data
What data we produce
We produce data to support our administrative responsibilities, policy development activities and interactions with the community. We are responsible for realising and maintaining the value of this data as a national asset for the government and the Australian public.
How to request data
We keep a public data catalogue of social security payment information on the Government Data website(Opens in a new tab/window).
To request data that isn’t publicly available, use the Request Data Portal(Opens in a new tab/window). When you make your request, some personal information will be collected.
Privacy collection notice
Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988(Opens in a new tab/window) (Cth).
This privacy collection notice is designed to ensure you are aware of certain matters in relation to the department’s collection of your personal information, as required by the Privacy Act.
Your request for data held by the department will be managed by directing you to a website hosted by a third party, Aristotle Metadata, where your personal information will be collected.
What personal information we collect
Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.
We collect your name, phone number and contact address via the Data Request Portal(Opens in a new tab/window), hosted by Aristotle Metadata, to manage your request for data, or otherwise as permitted or required by law.
How we collect your information
Your personal information will be collected via your responses to an online form.
Why we collect your personal information
Your personal information is collected to manage your request for data we hold.
If you do not provide your name and contact address, we will not be able to consider your request for data.
Who we disclose your personal information to
We may disclose your personal information to other parties where the disclosure is required or authorised by law.
No information about you will be disclosed overseas.
How we store your personal information
Storage of personal information (and the disposal of information when no longer required) is managed in accordance with the Australian Government records management regime, including the Archives Act 1983(Opens in a new tab/window) (Cth) agency-specific records authorities and general records authorities. This ensures your personal information is held securely by us.
All personal information collected by us is stored on Aristotle Metadata or Services Australia’s cloud storage, on servers located in Australia. Services Australia and the department retains effective control over any personal information held on our cloud, and the information is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles(Opens in a new tab/window).
Any information disclosed to third parties will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act and stored in accordance with agreed security protocols.
Our Privacy Policy
More information about how we handle your personal information is set out in our Privacy Policy. It contains information about:
- how you can access any personal information that we hold
- how to seek correction of that personal information.
It also contains information about how to make a complaint about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, as set out in the Privacy Act.
If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact us at Privacy@dss.gov.au.