Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing
The Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (WA) (PRIS) aims to better protect the personal information of the public and improve the responsible sharing of government data for the public benefit.
What your Privacy means to us
The Shire of Exmouth is committed to handling your personal information with care, respect and responsibility.
When you provide information to us - whether for rates, permits, complaints, events, or community services - you are trusting us to keep that information secure and use it appropriately.
We understand that personal information is connected to people's identities, families, safety and everyday lives. The Shire will collect only the information necessary to provide our services and perform our functions.
We are committed to:
- collecting only the information we genuinely need
- storing information securely
- using information fairly and lawfully
- limiting access to authorised staff only
- only sharing information where permitted or required by law
Collection Notice
The Shire collects personal information to provide services, facilities, programs and events, and to process requests made to the Shire.
Your information may be shared with contracted service providers or government agencies where necessary to deliver these services or where required by law.
The Local Government Act 1995 (WA) authorises the Shire to collect this information.
If you choose not to provide the requested personal information, this may affect our ability to process or respond to your request.
For more information, or to request access to your personal information, contact the Shire on (08) 9949 3000 or email at info@exmouth.wa.gov.au.
A stepped approach
Most of the Privacy and Information Sharing Principles provisions will commence as of 1 July 2026, with data and notifiable information breach provisions commencing on 1 January 2027.
Please see the Office of the Information Commissioners website for further details.
Responsible parties
The Information Commissioner, supported by the Privacy Deputy Commissioner will oversee privacy matters.
The Chief Data Officer will oversee government information sharing and sits within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Information sharing
Only government information can be requested under PRIS, and it can only be requested by public entities or a limited number of external entities.
| Public entities |
External entities |
| Can request or provide data under PRIS |
Can request data from a public entity under PRIS |
- WA government departments
- Statutory authorities
- Local governments
- Government trading enterprises
- WA public universities
|
- Commonwealth, State or Territory government agencies
- Contracted service providers
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
- Australian universities
- Health-related research bodies
- Social service providers
|
Frequently Asked Questions
What is personal information?
Information or an opinion, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, that relates to the individual, whether living or dead, whose identity is apparent or can reasonably be ascertained from the information or opinion; it includes, but is not limited to:
- Name, date of birth, or address
- Contact or location information
- Unique identifiers, online identifiers, or psudonyms
- Information that relates to features specific to an individual's physical, physiological, genetic, mental, cultural, behavioural, economic, or social identity. Including references made about an individual.
What is sensitive personal information?
This is a type of personal information that includes information that relates to an individual's:
- Racial or ethnic origin
- Gender identity or sexual orientation
- Political opinions and associations
- Religious beliefs
- Trade union membership
- Criminal record
- Health, genetic or genomic and biometric information
The full definition of sensitive personal information is in Section 4 of the PRIS Act.
What is health information?
This is a type of personal information that includes information that relates to an individual's health, illness, disability, or injury. It includes health services provided or not provided to an individual and an individual's expressed wishes about the provision of health services to them in the future.
The full definition of health information is in Section 4 of the PRIS Act.
What are my rights when I am asked for my personal information?
You do not have to provide your personal information to the City in all circumstances. You can remain anonymous, unless the law, or circumstances require you to identify yourself. For example, some services require a location to be provided.
You have the right to be notified about what personal information the City is collecting, why we are collecting it, when we might share it, and who with.
What are the Shire's obligations?
Under PRIS the Shire does have obligations concerning how we collect, store, use and access personal information. Schedule 1 (Information privacy principles) and 2 (Information sharing principles) of PRIS outline the Shire's obligations.
Can I have access to and/or correct my information?
You have the right to access and correct any personal information about you under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (WA). For more details, please see our Freedom of Information Act (FOI) page.
Can I remain anonymous?
Yes, you can elect to remain anonymous for some service requests and reports of issues. However, if no personal information is provided, we may not be able to action some of your requests.
Will I be notified if my personal information has been breached?
From 1 January 2027, you have the right to be notified by the Shire of Exmouth if your personal information has been involved in a breach that is likely to cause you serious harm.
For more information, please contact the Privacy and Information Sharing Officer via info@exmouth.wa.gov.au or call 08 9949 3000.