AusCheck Amendment Act 2009

Administered by Department of Home Affairs

Legislation au C2009A00123 In force Act

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No. 123, 2009

An Act to amend the AusCheck Act 2007, and for related purposes

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Schedule(s)

Schedule 1—Amendments

AusCheck Act 2007

AusCheck Amendment Act 2009

No. 123, 2009

An Act to amend the AusCheck Act 2007, and for related purposes

[Assented to 7 December 2009]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the AusCheck Amendment Act 2009.

2 Commencement

This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

3 Schedule(s)

Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1—Amendments

AusCheck Act 2007

1 Subsection 4(1)

Insert:

identity verification information, in relation to an individual, means personal information consisting of the individual’s fingerprints or other biometric data about the individual, but does not include a photograph of the individual.

2 Subsection 4(1)

Insert:

national security background check, in relation to an individual, means a background check conducted in relation to the individual under an Act or legislative instrument referred to in subparagraph 8(1)(b)(i) or (ii) for a purpose referred to in paragraph 8(2)(a), (b), (c), or (d).

3 Subsection 4(2) (paragraph (b) of the definition of personal information)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

(b) any other identifier assigned to the individual;

4 Paragraph 5(b)

After “security assessment”, insert “(as defined in subsection 35(1) of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979)”.

5 Paragraph 5(d)

Omit “verification checks of documents relating to”.

6 Section 8

Repeal the section, substitute:

8 Establishment of AusCheck scheme

(1) The regulations may provide for the establishment of a scheme (the AusCheck scheme) relating to the conduct and coordination of background checks of individuals if:

(a) any of the following laws requires or permits a background check to be conducted of an individual for specified purposes:

(i) the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 or regulations under that Act;

(ii) the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 or regulations under that Act; or

(b) any other Act (other than this Act) expressly:

(i) requires or permits a background check of an individual to be conducted under the AusCheck scheme for purposes specified in the Act; or

(ii) provides for the making of a legislative instrument requiring or permitting a background check of an individual to be conducted under the AusCheck scheme for purposes specified in the Act.

(2) If paragraph (1)(b) applies, the background check must be conducted for purposes related to:

(a) Australia’s national security; or

(b) the defence of Australia; or

(d) the prevention of conduct to which Part 5.3 of Chapter 5 of the Criminal Code (which deals with terrorism) applies.

7 Saving of regulations

Despite the amendment made by item 6, regulations in force for the purposes of section 8 of the AusCheck Act 2007 immediately before the commencement of this item continue in effect, after that commencement, as if they had been made for the purposes of that section, as in force after that commencement.

8 At the end of paragraph 9(1)(i)

Add:

; or (iii) that a national security background check has been conducted in relation to a particular individual; or

(iv) that an individual who is in possession of a card, licence, permit or other authorisation in relation to which a national security background check has been conducted is the individual to whom the card, licence, permit or authorisation was issued.

9 At the end of section 9

Add:

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), an individual is taken to have given consent to another person making an application for a background check in relation to the individual if:

(a) the individual has applied for:

(i) an aviation security identification card; or

(ii) a maritime security identification card; or

(iii) any other card, licence, permit or authorisation; and

(b) before making the application referred to in paragraph (a), the individual was advised by the other person, in accordance with the requirements (if any) specified in the regulations, that a background check was a precondition to the issuing of the card, licence, permit or authorisation.

10 Section 13

Before “The collection,”, insert “(1)”.

Note: The following heading to subsection 13(1) is inserted “Collection, use and disclosure of personal information other than identity verification information”.

10A Division 1 of Part 3 (heading)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

Division 1—Collection, retention, use and disclosure of information

11 Section 13

After “personal information”, insert “(other than identity verification information)”.

12 At the end of paragraph 13(c)

Add:

; or (iii) that a national security background check has been conducted under the AusCheck scheme in relation to a particular individual; or

(iv) that an individual who is in possession of a card, licence, permit or other authorisation in relation to which a national security background check has been conducted under the AusCheck scheme is the individual to whom the card, licence, permit or authorisation was issued.

13 At the end of section 13

Add:

Collection, use and disclosure of identity verification information

(2) The collection, use and disclosure of identity verification information about an individual is taken to be authorised by law for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988 if:

(a) the collection, use or disclosure is directly necessary for the purpose of verifying the identity of an individual in respect of whom a background check is being or has been conducted under the AusCheck scheme; and

(b) for a use or disclosure—the information is only used or disclosed to the extent necessary for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (a).

14 Subsection 14(1)

Omit “, including AusCheck scheme personal information,”, substitute “(other than identity verification information)”.

Note 1: The heading to section 14 is altered by inserting “and disclosure” after “use”.

Note 2: The following heading to subsection 14(1) is inserted “Establishment of AusCheck database”.

14A Subsection 14(2)

After “individual” (first occurring), insert “(other than identity verification information)”.

Note: The following heading to subsection 14(2) is inserted “Use and disclosure of AusCheck personal information other than identity verification information”.

15 Subsection 14(2A)

Omit “individual may be”, substitute “individual (other than identity verification information) may also be”.

16 At the end of subsection 14(2A)

Add:

; or (c) that a national security background check has been conducted in relation to a particular individual; or

(d) that an individual who is in possession of a card, licence, permit or other authorisation in relation to which a national security background check has been conducted is the individual to whom the card, licence, permit or authorisation was issued.

17 After subsection 14(2A)

Insert:

Use and disclosure of AusCheck scheme personal information that is identity verification information

(2AB) AusCheck scheme personal information about an individual that is identity verification information may be used or disclosed for the purpose of verifying the identity of the individual if a subsequent background check is being conducted in respect of the individual under the AusCheck scheme.

18 Subsection 14(2B)

After “(2A)”, insert “ or (2AB)”.

19 After section 14

Insert:

14A Special rule relating to collection, retention, use and disclosure of identity verification information by AusCheck staff members

Despite sections 13 and 14, those sections only authorise the collection, retention, use and disclosure by the Secretary or an AusCheck staff member of identity verification information about an individual in relation to whom a background check is being or has been conducted, if the collection, retention, use or disclosure is directly necessary for the purpose of:

(a) passing the information to a Commonwealth, State or Territory body, agency or organisation that is responsible for, or deals with, law enforcement, criminal intelligence, criminal investigation, fraud or security intelligence in, or in a part of, Australia for the purpose of that body, agency or organisation verifying the identity of the individual for the purposes of the background check; or

(b) providing the information to the individual.

20 After subsection 15(1)

Insert:

(1A) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person obtains information; and

(b) the information is AusCheck scheme personal information; and

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

21 Subsection 15(2)

After “(1)”, insert “or (1A)”.

22 After paragraph 15(2)(c)

Insert:

(ca) if the information is AusCheck scheme personal information—a disclosure that is:

(i) taken to be authorised under section 13; or

(ii) authorised under section 14; or

(iii) required or authorised by or under another law;

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 12 March 2009

Senate on 19 March 2009]

(28/09)

Overview

The AusCheck Amendment Act 2009, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, amends the AusCheck Act 2007 to enhance the conduct and coordination of background checks of individuals for purposes related to Australia's national security, defence, national emergencies, and the prevention of terrorism. The policy objective of this Act is to streamline and strengthen the processes by which background checks are performed, ensuring they align with critical national interests while addressing identified gaps in the existing legislative framework. This amendment introduces specific definitions and conditions under which the AusCheck scheme can be established and operated, alongside provisions governing the collection, use, and disclosure of personal and identity verification information, particularly emphasising the necessity of such actions for the purposes of background checks. The AusCheck Amendment Act 2009 also includes provisions to ensure that the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information and identity verification information are authorised by law, particularly in contexts where they are necessary for verifying an individual's identity during or after a background check. Furthermore, it imposes penalties for the unauthorised disclosure of AusCheck scheme personal information, reinforcing the importance of data security and privacy in the execution of national security and defence-related checks.

Scope and Application

The AusCheck Amendment Act 2009 amends the AusCheck Act 2007 to refine and expand the scope of the AusCheck scheme, which is designed to facilitate and coordinate background checks on individuals. This Act applies to individuals and entities that are subject to background checks under specified Commonwealth laws, particularly those concerning aviation and maritime transport security, as well as other legislative instruments that require or permit such checks for purposes related to national security, defence, national emergencies, or terrorism prevention. The amendments introduce specific definitions for "identity verification information" and "national security background check" and redefine "personal information" to exclude photographs but include other identifiers. The Act applies nationally across Australia and its territories. The amended Act also extends the authority to establish the AusCheck scheme through regulations, provided the checks are related to specified national security and defence purposes. Notably, the Act introduces strict penalties for unauthorised disclosure of AusCheck scheme personal information, including imprisonment for up to two years. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but the application and enforcement of the provisions are subject to existing laws and regulations.

Key Provisions

The AusCheck Amendment Act 2009 (section 1) makes amendments to the AusCheck Act 2007, establishing a scheme for the conduct and coordination of background checks of individuals (section 8). The scheme, referred to as the AusCheck scheme, applies where any of the specified laws require or permit a background check to be conducted for certain purposes, including national security, defence, national emergency, and terrorism prevention (section 8(1)). The Act also outlines the circumstances under which consent is considered to be given for a background check (section 9(4)). The amended Act modifies the definition of personal information to include identifiers and photographs of individuals (section 4(2)), and specifies that identity verification information includes biometric data but not photographs (section 4(1)). It further specifies that a national security background check is conducted under certain Acts or legislative instruments for specified purposes (section 4(1)). The Act regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information and identity verification information, authorising such actions when necessary for verifying identity in the context of a background check (sections 13 and 14). The Act imposes obligations on parties involved in the AusCheck scheme, such as the Secretary and AusCheck staff members, to ensure that identity verification information is collected, retained, used, and disclosed only as necessary for specific purposes, including passing the information to relevant law enforcement bodies or providing it to the individual (section 14A). Additionally, the Act introduces criminal penalties for the unauthorised disclosure of AusCheck scheme personal information. A person commits an offence if they obtain and disclose such information, with a maximum penalty of imprisonment for two years (section 15(1A)). The penalties for breaches of the Act are severe, with specific provisions for the unauthorised disclosure of AusCheck scheme personal information (section 15(1A)). This offence is subject to a penalty of imprisonment for up to two years (section 15(1A)). Other offences include unauthorised use or disclosure of personal information and identity verification information under sections 13 and 14, which may also carry penalties as prescribed by the law. These provisions underscore the importance of compliance with the Act's requirements for the proper conduct of background checks under the AusCheck scheme.

Area of Law: Privacy Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Offence Provisions

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

Legislation content

8 Establishment of AusCheck scheme

Division 1—Collection, retention, use and disclosure of information

14A Special rule relating to collection, retention, use and disclosure of identity verification information by AusCheck staff members

Overview

Scope and Application

Key Provisions

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Interactions

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