Privacy policy

1. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research Ltd (NCVER) is a registered company, limited by guarantee and owned by Australian ministers responsible for vocational education and training (VET). NCVER complies with the Privacy Act 1988 and the National Privacy Principles (NPPs), which form part of that Act, in its management of Personal Information (see footer) and sensitive information related to race, religion, political affiliation or to any health information it may collect. NCVER follows these national principles in its collection, use, maintenance, disclosure and storage of such information.
   
2. NCVER collects Personal Information from individuals if it is necessary for one or more of its functions or activities (Primary Purpose).
   
3. NCVER uses Personal Information only for the Primary Purpose, unless:
   
   3.1. consent has been given to use the information for another purpose; or
   
   3.2. there is a secondary purpose that is reasonably expected to be related to the Primary Purpose.
   
4. NCVER takes all reasonable steps to ensure that Personal Information it holds is accurate, complete and up-to-date.
   
5. NCVER takes all reasonable steps to protect Personal Information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
   
6. NCVER does not sell its mailing lists to third parties or disclose Personal Information to third parties, except for the sole purpose of performing an activity on behalf of NCVER or to a third party that has a related business activity to that of NCVER. In such cases, NCVER will use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the recipient handles the disclosed Personal Information in accordance with the NPPs.
   
7. NCVER sometimes uses contractors to undertake research or surveys on its behalf and NCVER requires these contractors to handle any Personal Information used in accordance with the NPPs.
   
8. NCVER applies the following rules in relation to consent:
   
   8.1. Sometimes NCVER will ask individuals to consent to a disclosure/use of Personal Information for a particular purpose in writing or on its website.
   
   8.2. At other times, an individual's consent will be taken to be given where they indicate that they wish to obtain information about NCVER's goods/services or they do not object to another intended use/disclosure of their Personal Information that NCVER has told them about.
   
   8.3. NCVER does not disclose Personal Information to others, except in the following cases:
   
   8.3.1. to NCVER's related companies;
   
   8.3.2. to organisations that provide services to NCVER;
   
   8.3.3. with an individual's consent or where it is necessary to provide them with services;
   
   8.3.4. where required by law; and
   
   8.3.5. to organisations that have requested NCVER to provide services to industries or who cooperate with NCVER in offering products/services.
   
9. NCVER undertakes analysis of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) data and has a set of agreed protocols to ensure confidentiality of data and that Personal Information is dealt with in accordance with the Privacy Act.
   
10. NCVER does not adopt, use or disclose any Commonwealth Government identifier other than the Australian Business Number (ABN), to identify a record of Personal Information relating to an individual.
    
11. Where practicable, NCVER will maintain the anonymity of an individual in a database of Personal Information, unless the identity of the individual is necessary to perform a lawful activity.
    
12. The contact information that NCVER collects is kept in a database, protected by passwords, maintained by trained staff, and checked regularly for accuracy.
    
13. Personal Information is collected through user registration to help NCVER improve the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) website and the website services provided to its users. This process is voluntary and gives individuals full access to NCVER and LSAY publications and products.
    
14. NCVER will record an individual's email address only if they send us a message or provide it as part of the user registration process. This Personal Information will only be used for the purposes for which they have provided it, and will not be added to a mailing list unless it has been provided for that purpose.
    
15. NCVER organises public events for the dissemination of VET information. Participants enrolling for such events may also receive further information related to NCVER activities, future events and products and their Personal Information may be included in a list for circulation to attendees at the event. Individuals may opt out of any further mailings of information upon request.
    
16. Any individual has the right to access Personal Information about them held by NCVER (subject to the exceptions prescribed by the NPPs). Any request for such information will be answered in writing within 14 days. The request should be addressed to Privacy Officer, NCVER, PO Box 8288 Station Arcade, SA 5000, Australia.
    
17. For information about NCVER's management of Personal Information or to get a copy of the most current Privacy Policy, including complaints, contact the Privacy Officer, NCVER, PO Box 8288 Station Arcade, SA 5000, Australia. Ph: +61 8 8230 8400.

*Personal Information collected at NCVER includes name, title, position, contact details and (perhaps) a photograph.