Privacy Awareness Week at AIHW
Privacy Awareness Week occurs in the first week of May each year. The theme for this year was Privacy: it's all about you.
As the recipient and user of sensitive personal data, the Institute places a high priority on privacy matters. We make it part of our daily business because:
- Firstly, it is the law. This is set out in the Privacy Act and our own legislation, the AIHW Act.
- Secondly, if we do not properly protect the data we receive, our sources may not agree to provide us with sensitive information.
- Thirdly, we want to maintain our reputation for integrity in handling data. With our increasing role in data integration, this has assumed even more importance.
During the week, staff took part in several activities to raise awareness of the Institute's responsibilities in relation to privacy, including a presentation by the Governance Unit on privacy and how it relates to the work of the AIHW Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee is a key component of the Institute's governance arrangements and oversees the AIHW's privacy and confidentiality obligations.
Further information
The AIHW operates under a strict privacy regime, which has its basis in section 29 of The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Act 1987. Our record of protecting the security of the data we hold on the health and welfare of Australians is exemplary. The AIHW Board closely monitors the Institute's performance on maintaining the privacy of its data, and has commissioned and endorsed a range of policies and practices on data privacy.
Further information on privacy at the AIHW: www.aihw.gov.au/privacy-of-data/.