Data Privacy for Local Government Course (Australia)

Upholding your residents’ rights to personal and health information privacy

A recent report from the NSW Privacy Commissioner’s report, identified that human error is the leading cause of data breaches, comprising 79% of all notifications. This course emphasises the importance of embedding robust privacy practices within council operations to assist staff in complying with their legal obligations in relation to the collection, storage, use, and disclosure of personal and health information.

Specifically, the course addresses the privacy principles outlined in the Personal Privacy Information Act (PPIPA) and the Health Records Information Act (HRIPA), which are applicable to local government organisations, given their status as a public service agency.

This course uses contextualised scenarios and case notes from recent council investigations to, highlighting the role of operational and human error in undermining privacy. By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and practical strategies to mitigate privacy risks and ensure compliance with NSW privacy laws, preventing breaches that could harm individuals and the council’s reputation.