The Privacy Act and you
If you are a credit provider as defined by the Privacy Act (1988) you have a commercial right to assess applications for credit and obtain a credit history report.
The Privacy Act states that you need to notify your customers either verbally or in writing. It is not a condition that this is in writing, however is advisable.
We recommend that you place a sign in your reception and/or near your parent/guardian sign-in sheets, insert a statement into your enrolment form/parent handbooks and if possible insert a statement on your parent statements advising of the fees policy. For example:
"OVERDUE FEES NOTICE: PLEASE BE ADVISED - IF YOUR ACCOUNT IS MORE THAN 60 DAYS OVERDUE AND IS OVER $100 THE DETAILS OF YOUR DEBT MAY BE PLACED ON A CREDIT REFERENCE BUREAU AND/OR PASSED ONTO A DEBT COLLECTION SERVICE"
This information may contain:
- The name, sex, address (and the previous two addresses), date of birth, name of employer, CRN number and drivers license number of the defaulter
- That you have been provided credit to the defaulter
- Details of any account that is overdue by more than 60 days, and for which debt recovery has commenced
- The status of past overdue accounts (even after they are settled)
- Whether any dishonoured cheques drawn by the defaulter for $100 or more which have been dishonoured more than once
This information will be listed for a period of five (5) years.