We will only collect personal information that is directly related to finding out what services you need or the services we are providing to you.
Your personal and health information
Personal and health information is information relating to your Homes NSW tenancy. This includes your:
- Name
- date of birth
- sex
- ethnic or racial origin
- physical or mental health, or disability
- health services you need or currently receive
We will collect personal and health information to provide you with the right services. When we collect your information, we are governed by:
- Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. This protects the general information you provide us and your privacy.
- Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. This protects your health records and information.
Under these Acts, we have a legal obligation to notify you about how, why and when we will use your personal and health information.
We also work with other agencies to develop solutions for individual applicants, tenants and public housing communities. We also encourage other agencies to participate in forums like Neighbourhood Advisory Boards and inter-agency support groups.
Your right to information
You can request information from us informally or through a formal application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA).
Fees and charges will be applicable.
Who will see your personal information
Your personal information will be seen by:
- Homes NSW when we manage your application and tenancy
- the Housing Appeals Committee if you make an appeal
- child wellbeing (prescribed bodies), health (NSW Health) and law enforcement (NSW Police Force)
- applicants in the mutual exchange program if you apply for a mutual exchange.
Changing your mind about supplying Homes NSW with your personal information
If you have shared personal information with us but no longer want us to use that information, contact your client service officer.
If you withdraw information, we may be unable to deliver certain services to you.
Updating your personal information
To make changes to your personal information, contact client service officer.
If you want someone else to contact Homes NSW on your behalf
If you intend to use a tenant group, advocate or another person to contact us on your behalf, you will have to give them written permission. You will also need to obtain their written consent to act as your nominated representative. The written permission you provide will only relate to you and no one else listed against your tenancy.
Homes NSW has developed a consent to exchange information form (PDF 178.09KB) available online or at your local Homes NSW office.
Prescribed bodies
A prescribed body is any organisation specified in Section 248 (6), Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 or in Clause 8, Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Regulation 2012.
Prescribed bodies include:
- the NSW Police Force
- a government department or a public authority
- a government school or a registered non-government school or a TAFE college
- a public health organisation or a private hospital
- a private fostering agency or a private adoption agency
- agencies that provide residential child care centre or a child care service under the Act
- the Family Court of Australia (for the purpose of Section 248 but not Chapter 16A)
- Centrelink (for the purpose of Section 248 but not Chapter 16A)
- the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Aboriginal Affairs (for the purpose of Section 248 but not Chapter 16A)
- any other organisation that has direct responsibility for, or supervision of, the provision of healthcare, welfare, education, children’s services, residential services, or law enforcement, to children.