Can I get information about a relative or family member?

Generally speaking, the only information you are entitled to request under the Privacy Act is information about yourself (unless you are acting as someone’s “representative”). This means you usually cannot get information about someone else without their permission. 

If you think you will need to access information about your partner or about a family member, you should get their permission and take steps to make the agency aware of this. 

For example, if you and your partner have a shared power account, you could make sure both of your names are on the account in case one of you needs to access it in the other’s absence. 

An enduring power of attorney is a legal document that confirms that you can receive personal information and make decisions in situations where your partner or relative is unable to do so.

In a health context, such as medical records, the Health Information Privacy Code gives healthcare professionals some discretion about when they can share information about patients with their family members and/or caregivers. In matters of life or death, public safety or prevention of serious injury, healthcare professionals can disclose information as they need to.