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This consultation is closed. The deadline for submissions was 4 June 2021.
Background
The OAIC is reviewing the National Health Privacy Rules 2018 (Rules) to decide whether and how they need to be updated to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.
The Rules are a legislative instrument issued by the Information Commissioner under section 135AA of the National Health Act 1953. The Rules set out how Australian Government agencies may use, store, disclose and link Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) claims information.
The Rules apply to Australian Government agencies that handle MBS and PBS information with particular focus on Services Australia and the Department of Health which process and store information about MBS and PBS claims for health services in Australia.
The OAIC is seeking submissions from interested stakeholders on the Rules to enable revision and remaking of the Rules before they are due to repeal on 1 April 2022.
The OAIC has engaged privacy consultancy Information Integrity Solutions Pty Ltd (IIS) to conduct the consultation. A Consultation Paper has been prepared by IIS which is assisting the OAIC with this review.
Purpose of the consultation
To inform the review of the Rules, the OAIC is seeking submissions from interested individuals, agencies and organisations on all elements and aspects of the Rules, including but not limited to:
- their effect on individuals
- the operation of MBS and PBS processes
- public sector operations and policy development
- open data and associated research initiatives.
Consultation questions
Questions have been included in the consultation paper to help guide your feedback.
It is not necessary to respond to every topic or question raised in the Paper. Nor should you feel restricted to the topics or questions we have raised. When commenting, we encourage you to provide evidence to support your feedback, including examples, case studies, statistics or other information.
How to provide comments
Submissions can be made to:
Post | GPO Box 5218 |
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The closing date for submissions is Friday 4 June 2021.
Although you may send your comments by email or post, email is preferred.
We intend to make all submissions publicly available. Please indicate when making your submission if it contains confidential information you don’t want made public and why it should not be published.
Requests for access to confidential comments will be determined in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Privacy collection statement
The OAIC will only use the personal information it collects during this consultation for the purpose of considering the issues raised in the discussion paper. This will include sharing submissions with Information Integrity Solutions – a privacy consultancy that is assisting OAIC with this review.
