Privacy policy
This privacy policy provides a framework outlining how the Defence and Veterans Legal Service manages your personal information and health information (referred to collectively as 'personal information'). We do this in accordance with relevant privacy legislation.
Some information will also be protected by other legal obligations, including legal professional privilege and confidentiality provisions under relevant legislation.
Why we collect your personal information
We collect personal information to:
- provide legal services
- plan and report on our services
- answer enquiries and resolve complaints, or
- recruit and manage staff, where applicable.
If we collect your personal information for another purpose, we will tell you about this at the time we collect the information.
How we collect your personal information
The personal information you provide to us is voluntary.
We mainly collect your personal information directly from you. This may occur when you:
- access our legal services
- contact us to ask for information or update your details
- make a complaint
- ask to access information held by us, or
- apply for a job.
We may also collect your personal information from your lawyer and from other third parties with your consent.
The types of personal information we collect
The main types of personal information we may collect includes:
- name, address and contact details
- information about personal and health circumstances
- information about legal matters
- complaints and enquiries
- staffing and recruitment information, and
- security footage and incident reports.
We keep your personal information safe
We store your personal information securely to protect it against loss and unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure and any other misuse.
We destroy your personal information in accordance with our legal obligations.
Access to your personal information
You have the right to access your personal information that we hold without delay or expense.
Accuracy and alteration of your personal information
You can request alterations to your personal information if your details change. We will make necessary amendments to ensure that your personal information is accurate, up to date, complete and not misleading.
How we use your personal information
We use your personal information for the purpose for which it was collected, or:
- for another directly related purpose
- for another purpose where you have given consent
- if it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to life or health.
How we may contact you
We may use your personal information to contact you by letter, email, and/or phone. You can tell us which of these you prefer.
If you give us your mobile phone number, we might use it to send you text messages (SMS).
When we disclose personal information
We may disclose your personal information to third parties to:
- provide legal services
- resolve complaints, or for another purpose where you have given consent, or that you were previously made aware of
- if we are asked to share your personal information with other government agencies for research in the public interest (your personal information will be de-identified)
- if it is required for law enforcement purposes
- if it is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to life or health
- to otherwise comply with our legal obligations.
Data breaches
We will investigate any data breaches or possible breaches to determine the nature of the breach, assess any risks of harm, and take preventative actions. We will report any serious data breaches to the NSW Privacy Commissioner.
If you have a complaint about privacy
You can contact us if you have a complaint about how we have handled your personal information.
Complaints can be made by emailing us.
For further information
Please contact the Legal Aid NSW Privacy Officer at:
The Privacy Officer
Legal Aid NSW
PO Box K847
Haymarket NSW 1240
Telephone (02) 9219 5000
Last updated 8 November 2022