The purpose of this policy is to outline the how AbSec Learning and Development Centre (AbSec LDC) assures confidentiality, privacy, objectivity, and impartiality is maintained in the provision of training services.
Under the Privacy Act 1988 and Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 (s6 (1), personal and sensitive information is defined as follows:
AbSec LDC is an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) by the Australian Skills Quality Authority. This registration is issued under the authority of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011. This legislation requires AbSec LDC to collect personal and sensitive information from its learners. This requirement is specified in the Data Provision Requirements 2012 which is one of five legislative instruments that AbSec LDC must comply with as a condition of its registration.
The date provision requirements require AbSec Learning and Development Centre to collect data from learners in accordance with the Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS). This is a complex information standard that defines information about who the learner is, where the training is delivered and what they are studying. The Standards for RTO require AbSec LDC to retain and store this information for up to 30 years and to report training activity to government agencies in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements.
Together these requirements form a statutory obligation to collect, store and report information of any learner participating in nationally accredited training. The publications referred to in this section can be accessed from the ASQA website.
AbSec LDC collects personal information, either directly or indirectly, that is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to its delivery of the services it offers. Some of the information collected may be regarded as ‘sensitive’ as defined by the Privacy Act.
Contact information such as name, organisation, position, address, telephone, and email are collected for marketing, support services, mandatory reporting and for communicating with stakeholders as part of our day-to-day operation.
In addition to information collected training activity, AbSec Learning and Development Centre will also collect, store and report information relating to satisfaction surveys, complaint handling and on our client employers.
Names, addresses, phone numbers, emergency contact details, bank account details and other employment related information is collected from employees for the purpose of managing human resources. The management of staff personal information complies with this policy.
Learner personal and sensitive information as well as training activity information is prescribed by the AVETMIS Standard. This information is collected directly from our learners using enrolment forms which may be paper based or electronic and other administrative forms.
including but not limited to complaint forms, recognition application, request for refund, transfer application, etc. Much of this information is entered into our learner management software called “RTO Data”. Hard copy records are retained within our learner files.
Survey responses are collected using our Employer and Learner Satisfaction Surveys which are issued both in hard copy and electronic format. These survey results are returned to the main office and entered into our survey analysis software “Satisfaction Data”. Survey forms once entered into Satisfaction Data are either destroyed if hard copy or permanently deleted if in electronic form.
Enquiry information from prospective learners including personal contact information is collected directly from individuals who make data requests either by telephone or email in person or via our website.
AbSec LDC personal information is collected from individuals on employment commencement.
Personal information collected by AbSec LDC that may be regarded as ‘sensitive’ under the Privacy Act includes:
AbSec LDC respects an individual’s right not to receive marketing material, and provides an option within communications and on its website for individuals to unsubscribe from receiving marketing material. AbSec LDC conducts its marketing communications and dissemination of service information in accordance with
It is not, however, AbSec LDC practice to ‘cold call’ for the purpose of marketing its products and services.
Google Analytics is a web service provided by Google Inc. Cookies are used to generate data on website activity and usage. The cookies, which include Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, are transmitted to and stored in Google servers in the United States where they are used to compile web-use reports. Google may transfer this information to third parties, where required by law, or for information processing on its behalf. Google will not associate IP addresses with any other data held by Google. It is possible to disable cookies by web-browser setting and to opt-out of Google Analytics doing so, however, may affect web-site functionality.
The AbSec LDC web servers automatically log information such as server address, date and time of visit and web pages accessed. No personal information is recorded. These logs are used for website management and improvement.
If AbSec LDC should receive unsolicited personal information, it will be treated and managed according to the Australian Privacy Principles.
AbSec LDC aims to notify individuals of the collection of their personal information before, or at the time of collection, or as quickly as possible thereafter. Notifications are usually in writing, but may be verbal for telephone help-desk services, or research conducted by telephone interview.
AbSec LDC does not disclose personal information other than for the purpose for which it was collected, or an individual has consented to a secondary purpose, or an individual would reasonably expect this (such as receiving communications about upcoming events), or if required by law.
AbSec LDC may share personal information with the Commonwealth government in accordance with Commonwealth contractual obligations. In these circumstances AbSec LDC will take reasonable steps to inform and seek consent from the individuals concerned and take all reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient handles the personal information according to the APPs.
AbSec LDC does not sell its mailing lists to third-parties for marketing purposes.
AbSec LDC does not disclose personal information to overseas recipients. While people around the world can access material published on our website, no statistical or research publications contain identifiable personal information.
AbSec LDC endeavours to ensure the personal information it collects and uses or discloses is accurate, up to date, complete and relevant. AbSec LDC routinely updates the information held in its customer relationship management system. This includes confirming with learners who are returning for a new enrolment if their personal contact details have changed.
Individuals may, subject to the exceptions prescribed by the Australian Privacy Principles, request access to and correction of their personal information where this is collected directly from individuals by AbSec LDC.
AbSec LDC does not charge for giving access to or for correcting personal information. Requests for access to or correction of personal information should be made in accordance with the learner access to records policy.
Personal information is held in electronic and paper format:
AbSec LDC retains personal information for 30 years. When personal information is no longer necessary for AbSec LDC business functions, and it is lawful to do so, AbSec LDC destroy the information.
AbSec LDC takes active steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference and loss, and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Complaints or concerns about AbSec LDC management of personal information should be directed in writing to AbSec LDC Chief Executive Officer. AbSec LDC will respond in writing within 10 business days. Complaints received by AbSec LDC will be managed in accordance with the Complaints and Appeals and Appeals Policy.