The privacy of your personal information is important to Murdoch University. As a state university we are not subject to the Federal Government’s Privacy Act so, to safeguard your information, we have initiated this Privacy Policy.

Murdoch University will collect personal information only when it is necessary for the University’s functions or activities, and will collect sensitive information only when you have consented, or if the law requires us to collect the information.

We will only collect your information by lawful and fair means, and not in an unreasonably intrusive way.

Our Privacy Policy covers information in any form, and includes, but is not limited to, information held on:

• paper
• audio or videotape
• microfilm or microfiche
• computer chip-based memory
• any magnetic or optical medium, such as computer disks or computer tape.

When your information is collected, Murdoch will take reasonable steps to advise you of the collection, and that you have a right to know, generally, who is collecting the information, for what purposes, and what sort of personal information is held.

Where it is reasonable and practicable to do so, your personal information will only be collected directly from you. If it is necessary to collect personal information from a third party, reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that you are informed.

Reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that personal information holdings are relevant, accurate, up to date, complete and not excessive.

If you are able to establish that the information is not accurate, complete and up-to-date, we will take reasonable steps to correct the information. Should we disagree with you, we will take reasonable steps to associate the information with a statement from you claiming that the information is not accurate, complete or up-to-date.

Murdoch will not use or disclose information, other than for the purposes for which it was collected, unless you have consented, or you would reasonably expect the information to be used for the secondary purpose.

Murdoch will not disclose information outside of the University or its authorised contractors (even to parents, employers and police) without your consent, except where:

• the University is required by legislation, court order or other legally enforceable instrument and the request is in an appropriate written form; or
• disclosure is reasonably believed to be necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of any person; or
• there is a request from:
  • another university to obtain information on the academic record and performance of a student, including whether the student was expelled or suspended for disciplinary reasons (noting that all Australian universities require prospective students to sign a declaration authorising them to obtain such information directly from other universities); or
  • a third party to confirm whether a person is a graduate from Murdoch with a particular qualification (noting that this information is publicly available through Murdoch publications);
  and Murdoch has taken reasonable steps to confirm the legitimacy of the request and requesting orgnisation.

We will take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse and loss, and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Personal information will be retained for only as long as it is needed and then disposed of lawfully and securely.

What is personal information?

Personal information is information or an opinion, whether true or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

Examples of personal information are your:

• address – postal or residential
• telephone or fax numbers
• photograph
• date of birth
• gender
• academic results or disciplinary record
• student debt to the University
• banking details, such as BSB and account number

What is sensitive information?

Sensitive information is information or an opinion about your:

• racial or ethnic origin
• political opinions
• membership of a political association
• religious beliefs or affiliations
• philosophical beliefs
• membership of a professional or trade association
• membership of a trade union
• sexual preferences or practices
• criminal record
• health

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action under the Conditions of Use of Computing and Networking Facilities, action under the Student Discipline Statute, or legal action.

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