Requesting DSS Data
The Department of Social Services (DSS) produces data to support its administrative responsibilities, policy development activities and interactions with the community. DSS is responsible for realising and maintaining the value of this data as a national asset for the Government and the Australian public.
We keep a public data catalogue of Social Security payment information on the Government Data website.
You can request data that isn’t publicly available by using the Request DSS Data Portal.
Privacy Collection Notice
Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (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 1988 (Cth).
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 is ‘personal information’?
Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.
What we collect
We collect your name, phone number and contact address via the Request DSS Data Portal, 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 held by the department.
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.
Storage of 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, agency-specific records authorities and general records authorities. This ensures your personal information is held securely by the Department.*
All personal information collected by the Department 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.
Any information disclosed to third parties will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act and stored in accordance with agreed security protocols.
More information
More information about how we handle your personal information is set out in our Privacy Policy. Our Privacy Policy contains more information about how you can access any personal information that we hold, and 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.
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