Inclusive Employment Australia Participant Privacy and Consent

Participant’s personal and sensitive information they have provided to Services Australia/Department of Social Services (DSS) will be used to refer them to an IEA provider.

This includes moving their personal and sensitive information to the Inclusive Employment Australia IT system.

Participant’s information will be shared with their Inclusive Employment Australia provider who will assist them in this program.

Participants need to let Services Australia/DSS know if they do not wish for them to share their information. This may affect their ability to participate in Inclusive Employment Australia. If they have mutual obligation requirements this means they may not receive their income support payment.

Please talk to an IEA service provider or Services Australia if a participant receives an income support payment before they opt out. If they still want to opt out, an IEA provider or Services Australia will be able to help you do this.

It is important to keep participants information with Services Australia/DSS up to date so the information they provide is accurate and complete.

The DSS privacy policy also contains information on:

  • how they store and handle participants’ personal and sensitive information

  • how participants can access or correct their personal information

  • how to complain about handling of a participants personal information.

How will participants agree to share their personal information?

A participants IEA provider will ask them to sign a Privacy Consent Form.

The Privacy Consent Form asks participants if their provider can collect and share relevant information with others to help them find and keep a job.

By signing the Privacy Consent Form, participants agree to allow their provider to contact and share their information with potential employers and community support organisations.

If they don’t agree to share their information, providers will be limited in providing services to help them find and keep the right job.

Participants information is collected by their provider on behalf of DSS.

A Participant’s personal information may be shared with:

  • health care professionals

  • your advocate or nominee

  • other support providers

  • potential employers

  • Government organisations who may provide you with support.

Personal information collected may include:

  • contact details, such as name, where participant lives and a contact phone number and/or email address

  • date of birth

  • advocate’s contact details

  • what help or supports may be needed.

Sensitive information may include:

  • culture

  • preferred language

  • health and medical information

  • criminal record.

This information will assist the IEA provider to understand individual needs to help participants find and keep the right job for them.

IEA providers will usually be able to show participants the information they hold about them. If they have concerns about how their personal information is being managed, please advise them to talk to their provider.

Can participants change their mind about providing personal information?

Yes. Participants can change their mind and withdraw their consent (say ‘no’) at any time. They need to talk to their provider about how to do this. Please note, not providing personal information and withdrawing consent may limit the services your provider can do to help participants find and keep a job.

If participants have mutual obligation requirements this would mean you will stop receiving services and may cause their income support payment to stop.

How is my information protected?

A Participant’s information is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Learn more about the Department of Social Services Privacy Policy

You can also view and download the official privacy information for the Inclusive Employment Australia program by visiting:

Privacy Factsheet – Inclusive Employment Australia

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