Privacy collection statement
Ahpra and the National Boards are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other applicable laws. The ways Ahpra and the National Boards may collect, use and disclose your personal information are set out in this collection statement. Ahpra uses the personal information collected in the recruitment process to, for example, request a nationally coordinated criminal history check or conduct reference checks as set out below.
Why does Ahpra collect your personal information?
The personal information (that is, information that identifies you) and sensitive information (such as criminal history) that Ahpra collects from you:
- is required by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (as in force in each state and territory) (the National Law) to process your application for appointment under that Law;
- will be used to assure itself of your identity and assess your suitability for appointment under the National Law, including to conduct reference checks;
- will be used to manage your application for appointment and manage any subsequent appointment;
- may be published to identify the role you perform and to explain your performance of your role (e.g. in publications made by Ahpra and any relevant National Board);
- will be used for communications purposes with you, so that you are provided with the information you need to carry out your role in relation to the National Law;
- is required to obtain a complete criminal history check, including resolved and unresolved charges, spent convictions and findings of guilt for which no conviction was recorded, and may require Ahpra to disclose these results to relevant National Board(s);
- is required to check if you are included in the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) register of persons prohibited/disqualified by ASIC under the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth); and
- is required to check your details against the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) National Personal Insolvency Index which contains information about proceedings and administrations under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cth).
If you do not provide the required information, it may not be possible to process your application.
Where may your information be disclosed?
To process and assess your application, Ahpra may disclose your personal information to:
- ministers who administer the National Law, government departmental staff, and persons engaged by Ahpra to assist with processing and assessment
- other people such as government agencies and health authorities, to obtain information from them relevant to your application e.g. to confirm your identity, work history and immigration status
- government agencies for general law enforcement purposes
- organisations, in Australia or overseas, that issued your qualifications in order to establish their accuracy, and
- where this is required or permitted by law (e.g. where Ahpra has to publicly report on Board activities).
Nationally coordinated criminal history checks
Nationally coordinated criminal history checks are conducted by the Australian Crime Intelligence Commission (ACIC) with the relevant Australian police agencies.
In order to conduct these checks it is necessary for personal information provided by you to be disclosed to ACIC and the relevant Australian police agency. This may be done through the use of third party service providers (see further information below).
Nationally coordinated criminal history checks rely on the personal information disclosed by you, including identity documentation. The results of your nationally coordinated criminal history check will disclose police information relating to you to Ahpra.
ACIC and the relevant Australian police agencies may also use personal information disclosed by you:
- to update records held about you; or
- for law enforcement purposes, including purposes set out in the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002 (Cth).
Third Parties
Ahpra uses third party service providers to assist in its recruitment processes including in requests for nationally coordinated criminal history checks and reference checks for the purposes of recruitment. This means that your personal information may be collected, stored and processed by third party service providers to Ahpra.
Ahpra also uses third party service providers to host, manage and process data Ahpra holds. This means your personal information may be collected, stored and processed by third party contractors to Ahpra.
In each case, Ahpra puts in place contractual and practical safeguards to appropriately protect personal information. These third parties may be located in Australia or overseas, including in countries such as Japan, Canada and the United States of America.
Informing others of your application
As part of the application process, when you provide AHPRA or a National Board with information about other individuals, such as referees, it is important that you advise them that they may be contacted by Ahpra.
Retaining your information
Ahpra will retain your personal information as required by applicable public records legislation. Ahpra may also use your personal information to contact you in the 12 months after you apply, should other appropriate vacancies arise.
Ahpra’s Privacy Policy
Ahpra is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act. Ahpra’s privacy policy explains how you may:
- access and seek correction of your personal information held by Ahpra (including if you wish to dispute the criminal history information obtained by Ahpra);
- how to complaint to Ahpra about a breach of your privacy; and
- how your complaint will be dealt with.
This Policy can be accessed at: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-AHPRA/Privacy.aspx
If you have privacy concerns regarding your criminal history, you can also contact the recruitment team at recruitment@ahpra.gov.au
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