6.3.7: Restricted access to certain information

Context

All child support customers are provided with a level of privacy and secrecy in relation to their personal information. However, in certain circumstances CSA will provide an additional level of protection to customer information.

Legislative references

Section 150 Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989

Section 16 Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988

Privacy Act 1988

Explanation

Allocation of RACS status

CSA's usual procedures are sufficient to protect the personal information of most of its customers. In some cases, however, an additional level of protection is warranted. CSA has arrangements to limit access to information about a customer where the unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, that customer's information could:

• cause personal harm;
• have a negative effect on customers who, by virtue of their profile in the community:
• generate a high level of interest in their personal affairs;
• have a significant negative effect on community confidence in CSA;
• have a negative effect on CSA's business outcomes.

CSA will consider all relevant information when deciding if it is appropriate to classify customer information as restricted (RACS). This would include whether a customer has specifically asked for special protection, and any special protection that other government agencies have provided for that customer's information.

Administration and customer access

The classification of customer information as RACS means that information on file is placed under higher security. Information held is reclassified limiting the number of CSA officers who can access the information.

CSA appoints a limited number of staff to administer RACS information. This then means that customers classified as RACS may experience some short delays in having CSA respond to telephone and written enquiries.

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Version 1.4

Issued 23 January 2008

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