How to lodge a request for an internal review

The process for dealing with formal complaints in relation to the two Acts are dealt with in accordance with the process of Internal Review set out in the legislation. This process is initiated by contacting the Privacy Contact Officer.

The University has developed a Request for Internal Review Form (144K PDF) that will guide you through the lodgement process, and ensure the University has all the information needed to allow your complaint to be dealt with in the most efficient way. However, it is not obligatory to use the Form, and you are able to supply the same information in another format if you wish to do so, for example, in a letter.

You are encouraged to contact the University's Privacy Contact Officer, who will provide further advice, as well as Privacy Information Sheets relating to the Internal Review process and procedures. For contact details, see the Further information section below.

Do I have to make my request to the University?

There are two organisations that have responsibilities for the administration of the privacy Acts in New South Wales. They are the Office of NSW Privacy Commissioner and the Administrative Decisions Tribunal. Both require that you have initiated the Internal Review process with UTS.

Office of NSW Privacy Commissioner

The Office administers the privacy legislation for the State.

The Office has indicated that complaints should be dealt with by the agency, in this case the University, through the process of Internal Review established by the Act. Consequently, they will not usually accept a complaint. However, their site will provide you with advice and, if you wish to confirm the advice you receive from the University, they do have an advisory service that can be contacted.

Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT)

You can appeal to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT) in the following circumstances:

1. If the University has failed to complete the Internal Review process within 60 days. You then ask the ADT to review the conduct or decision that is the subject of the complaint.
2. If you are dissatisfied with the outcomes of the Internal Review, you can ask the ADT to review the conduct or decision that is the subject of the complaint.

You can check the Tribunal's website for information, and the University's Privacy Contact Officer can provide additional information sheets relating to the ADT process and procedures. For contact details, see the Further information section below.

Further information

For further information, contact the Privacy Contact Officer:

Deborah Edwards
Coordinator, University Records
Telephone 02 9514 1245
Email Deborah.Edwards@uts.edu.au