External

Summary of IPP 2

Under IPP 2, if an agency asks a person for personal information about himself or herself, it must tell the person:

  • why the agency is collecting the information;

  • whether the agency has legal authority to collect the information; and

  • who the agency usually gives that sort of information to.

To make sure that a person is generally aware of the IPP 2 details, Comcare needs to ensure that:

  • the details are given to the person, unless we have good reason to believe that the person already knows them;

  • the details are given in a way that the person can understand.

If an IPP 2 notice has been provided in respect of a claim, it may reasonably be assumed that the person is generally aware of the IPP 2 details in relation to a review of their claim. If you are in doubt however, it is better to provide the details to the person, if this is reasonable.  All forms used to collect personal information should contain an IPP 2 notice.

Staff who design forms for the collection of personal information need to be aware of the requirement to include an IPP 2 notice.

Whenever forms are reviewed, the IPP 2 notice should also be reviewed to make sure that the notices are still adequate and accurate.

An example of an IPP 2 notice

There is no set wording for an IPP 2 notice however, an example appears below.

Example:  A simple IPP 2 notice will include the following information:

      Comcare is collecting the information on this form to

      [statement of purpose].  This is [authorised/required] by

      [provision/name of Act].

      Comcare usually gives some or all of this information to

      [names of recipients].

The word “authorised'' in the second line of this wording is used where the law permits Comcare to collect the personal information. The word “required” is only appropriate  where Comcare has no choice in whether or not it collects the information.

A detailed IPP 2 notice is included on the front of the Comcare claim form.

A simple IPP 2 notice is included in the Home Based Work Application form, available on Key to Quality.

Collection of Information orally

Where information is collected orally, such as in the course of an interview, and any statement in compliance with IPP 2 is an oral statement, a file note should be made that the individual was briefed in accordance with the requirements of IPP 2.