This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Privacy Impact Assessment'.



PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610 
 
 
28 August 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
Our reference:  LEX 46184 
Mr Justin Warren  
Right to Know  
 
 
Only by email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx  
 
 
Dear Mr Warren  
Decision on your Freedom of Information request 
I refer to your request, dated 29 July 2019 and received by the Department of Human 
Services (department) on the same day, for access under the Freedom of Information 
Act 1982 
(FOI Act) to the following:  
I request a copy of all documents that make up the Privacy Impact Assessment 
produced for the Department of Human Services New Compliance Data Sources 
Matching of Centrelink and Medicare Data program, as required by the Australian 
Government Agencies Privacy Code: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-for-
government-agencies/australian-government-agencies-privacy-code/ 
https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers/privacy-codes-register/australian-
government-agencies-privacy-code/ 
 
I request only final versions of documents, including any attachments, appendices, 
etc. 
 
I request that the documents be provided in electronic form, such as PDF. 
 
I request that any charges associated with this request be waived in the public 
interest. 
 
Summary of decision 
I have decided to refuse your request for access under section 24A of the FOI Act, on the 
basis that all reasonable steps have been taken to locate the documents you have requested 
and I am satisfied that they do not exist.  
 
Please see Attachment A for the reasons behind my decision. 
 
You can ask for a review of our decision 
If you disagree with any part of the decision you can ask for a review. There are two ways 
you can do this. You can ask for an internal review from within the department, or an external 
review by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. You do not have to pay for 
reviews of decisions. See Attachment B for more information about how to arrange a 
review.  
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Further assistance 
If you have any questions please email xxx.xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx. 
Program protocol published  
 
If you have not done so already, you may wish to refer to the department’s Program Protocol 
titled, ‘Department of Human Services New Compliance Data Sources Matching of 
Centrelink and Medicare Data’ dated July 2019.  
 
The July 2019 Program Protocol is available online 
(https://www.humanservices.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-matching-of-centrelink-and-
medicare-data-protocol.pdf)
 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
Kaitlin 
Authorised FOI Decision Maker 
Freedom of Information Team 
Employment Law and Freedom of Information Branch | Legal Services Division  
Department of Human Services 
PAGE 2 OF 6 
 
Department of Human Services 



PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610 
 
Attachment A 
 
REASONS FOR DECISION 
What you requested 
On 29 July 2019, you requested the following documents:  
I request a copy of all documents that make up the Privacy Impact Assessment 
produced for the Department of Human Services New Compliance Data Sources 
Matching of Centrelink and Medicare Data program, as required by the Australian 
Government Agencies Privacy Code: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-for-
government-agencies/australian-government-agencies-privacy-code/ 
https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers/privacy-codes-register/australian-
government-agencies-privacy-code/ 
 
I request only final versions of documents, including any attachments, appendices, 
etc. 
 
I request that the documents be provided in electronic form, such as PDF. 
 
I request that any charges associated with this request be waived in the public 
interest. 
 
What I took into account 
In reaching my decision I took into account: 
•  your request dated 29 July 2019;  
•  consultations with departmental officers about: 
o  the documents you have requested; and 
o  the department's operating environment and functions; 
•  guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under section 93A of 
the FOI Act (Guidelines); and 
•  the FOI Act.  
Reasons for my decision 
I am authorised to make decisions under section 23(1) of the FOI Act. 
Section 24A of the FOI Act  
 
Section 24A of the FOI Act provides that: 
 
(1)  An agency or Minister may refuse a request for access to a document if:  
(a)  all reasonable steps have been taken to find the document; and  
(b)  the agency or Minister is satisfied that the document:  
(i) is in the agency's or Minister's possession but cannot be found; or  
(ii) does not exist.  
 
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The Programme Advice and Privacy Branch conducted searches of the records they keep in 
relation to Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) conducted by the department. The branch 
did not identify any documents matching the description in your request. I undertook further 
consultations with the branch and was informed that, to date, a PIA has not been completed 
in relation to the New Compliance Data Sources Matching of Centrelink and Medicare Data 
program (the New Data Sources Program). 
 
The Freedom of Information Team also consulted with the Taskforce Integrity and Fraud 
Investigations Branch regarding your request, on the basis that the New Data Sources 
Program  relates to their functions. The branch confirmed that, to date, a PIA has not been 
completed, noting that the New Data Sources Program has not commenced. 
 
On the basis of these searches, I am satisfied that in accordance with section 24A of the 
FOI Act, all reasonable steps have been taken to find the requested documents and the 
documents do not exist.  
 
As noted above, the department has published a Program Protocol titled, ‘Department of 
Human Services New Compliance Data Sources Matching of Centrelink and Medicare Data’ 
dated July 2019. This document may be a useful resource for you. 
PAGE 4 OF 6 
 
Department of Human Services 



PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610 
 
Attachment B 
 
 

INFORMATION ON RIGHTS OF REVIEW 
 
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982 
 
Asking for a full explanation of a freedom of information (FOI) decision 

Before you ask for a formal review of a FOI decision, you can contact us to discuss your 
request. We will explain the decision to you. This gives you a chance to correct 
misunderstandings.  
Asking for a formal review of an FOI decision 
If you still believe a decision is incorrect, the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act
gives you the right to apply for a review of the decision. Under sections 54 and 54L of the 
FOI Act, you can apply for a review of an FOI decision by: 
1.  an Internal Review Officer in the Department of Human Services (department); 
and/or 
2.  the Australian Information Commissioner. 
Note 1: There are no fees for these reviews. 
Applying for an internal review by an Internal Review Officer 
If you apply for internal review, a different decision maker to the departmental delegate who 
made the original decision will carry out the review. The Internal Review Officer will consider 
all aspects of the original decision and decide whether it should change. An application for 
internal review must be: 
•  made in writing 
•  made within 30 days of receiving this letter 
•  sent to the address at the top of the first page of this letter. 
Note 2: You do not need to fill in a form. However, it is a good idea to set out any relevant 
submissions you would like the Internal Review Officer to further consider, and your reasons 
for disagreeing with the decision.  
Applying for external review by the Australian Information Commissioner 
If you do not agree with the original decision or the internal review decision, you can ask the 
Australian Information Commissioner to review the decision.  
If you do not receive a decision from an Internal Review Officer in the department within 30 
days of applying, you can ask the Australian Information Commissioner for a review of the 
original FOI decision.  
You will have 60 days to apply in writing for a review by the Australian Information 
Commissioner.  
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You can lodge your application
Online: 
www.oaic.gov.au   
Post:    
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
 
GPO Box 5218 
SYDNEY NSW 2001  
Email:   
xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx 
 
Note 3: The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner generally prefers FOI 
applicants to seek internal review before applying for external review by the Australian 
Information Commissioner. 
Important: 
•  If you are applying online, the application form the 'Merits Review Form' is available 
at www.oaic.gov.au.  
•  If you have one, you should include with your application a copy of the Department of 
Human Services' decision on your FOI request  
•  Include your contact details 
•  Set out your reasons for objecting to the department's decision. 
Complaints to the Australian Information Commissioner and Commonwealth 
Ombudsman  

Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may complain to the Australian Information Commissioner concerning action taken by 
an agency in the exercise of powers or the performance of functions under the FOI Act, 
There is no fee for making a complaint. A complaint to the Australian Information 
Commissioner must be made in writing. The Australian Information Commissioner's contact 
details are: 
 
Telephone:      1300 363 992 
Website:          www.oaic.gov.au  
 
Commonwealth Ombudsman 
 
You may also complain to the Commonwealth Ombudsman concerning action taken by an 
agency in the exercise of powers or the performance of functions under the FOI Act. There is 
no fee for making a complaint. A complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman may be 
made in person, by telephone or in writing. The Commonwealth Ombudsman's contact 
details are: 
 
Phone:             1300 362 072 
Website:          www.ombudsman.gov.au 
 
The Commonwealth Ombudsman generally prefers applicants to seek review before 
complaining about a decision. 
 
PAGE 6 OF 6 
 
Department of Human Services 

Document Outline