12.3.2 Data Matching Program

What does data matching involve?

Data matching involves the comparison of pension records across the agencies, using personal details including the tax file number, to detect instances of overpayments or dual payments where a pensioner has:

• failed to notify the Department of changes, or
• made false or misleading statements with regard to their personal details or income.

Agencies involved in data matching

The data matching exercise involves matching client records held by the following agencies:

• Department of Veterans' Affairs,
• Centrelink, and
• the Australian Taxation Office.

Use of tax file number in data matching

Matching between each agency and the Australian Taxation Office is based on the pensioner's personal details including the tax file number    

Data Matching Agency

The Data Matching Agency was established under the Data-Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Act 1990. It is within Centrelink and acts as an independent body performing all matching activities.

Data matching and privacy implications

Any data matching exercise must be conducted in accordance with the privacy provisions under the Data-Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Act 1990 and the Privacy Act 1988 and all aspects of the program are approved by the Privacy Commission. The Privacy Commission monitors the new data matching program measures to ensure that privacy safeguards are observed.