Notice of a Data Matching Program – Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme
This notice refers to the data matching program between Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
This data matching program involves the matching of:
- data provided by the NDIA to Services Australia about individuals who are receiving National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded package of support
- Centrelink and Medicare customer data held by Services Australia
for the purpose of identifying whether persons are eligible for Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme payments.
If individuals are existing Centrelink or Medicare customers, Services Australia will use customer data held in their Services Australia records for the purpose of administering Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme programs, including to make contact with the individual, verify their identity and determine payment eligibility.
A protocol document describing this program has been developed with visibility of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Copies of the document are available from:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/about-us/publications-and-resources/centrelink-data-matching-activities
Services Australia adheres to the OAIC Guidelines on Data Matching in Australian Government Administration which includes standards for data matching to protect the privacy of individuals. Services Australia’s privacy policy is available from:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/about-us/publications-and-resources/privacy-policy
Overview
The Notice of a Data Matching Program – Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme was introduced to facilitate the sharing of information between Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to ensure that eligible individuals are correctly identified and provided with the necessary assistance. Enacted in 2025, this legislation aims to streamline the process of determining eligibility for Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme payments by matching data provided by the NDIA about individuals receiving NDIS funded packages of support with customer data held by Services Australia. This initiative addresses the problem of potential gaps in identifying eligible individuals who may require such assistance but have not been appropriately matched with the relevant support schemes. The enacting body, the Australian Parliament, established this program with the policy objective of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of social security services by ensuring that those in need receive timely and accurate support, while also maintaining privacy and data protection standards as outlined by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Scope and Application
This notice pertains to a data matching program between Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) aimed at ensuring that individuals eligible for the Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme are correctly identified and serviced. The data matching program involves the cross-referencing of information provided by the NDIA about individuals who are receiving National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded packages of support, with Centrelink and Medicare customer data held by Services Australia. This program applies to individuals who are either existing Centrelink or Medicare customers or those who are receiving NDIS-funded packages of support, as identified by the NDIA. The geographic reach of this data matching program is national, given that Services Australia operates across Australia and the NDIA provides services nationwide under the NDIS. Services Australia adheres to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Guidelines on Data Matching in Australian Government Administration, ensuring that privacy standards are upheld during the data matching process. The protocol document detailing the data matching program has been made available with the visibility of the OAIC, and additional information can be found through the provided links on the Services Australia website.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the notice (C2025G00207) outline the data matching program between Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Section 1 states that the program involves matching data provided by the NDIA about individuals receiving National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded packages of support with customer data held by Services Australia. Section 2 specifies that this matching is for the purpose of identifying whether individuals are eligible for Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme payments. If individuals are existing Centrelink or Medicare customers, Services Australia will use their records to administer these programs, including verifying identity and determining eligibility.
The obligations imposed by this Act on the involved parties are clearly defined. Services Australia, as the primary entity administering the Mobility Allowance and Continence Aids Payment Scheme, is responsible for using the matched data to identify eligible individuals, verify their identity, and determine their eligibility for payments. The NDIA is required to provide accurate and up-to-date data about individuals receiving NDIS-funded packages of support. Both entities must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) to ensure privacy and data protection standards are met.
There are specific offences and penalties outlined in the legislation for breaches of this data matching program. Any entity that fails to comply with the data matching requirements or misuses personal data can be subject to civil or criminal consequences. While the notice does not specify exact penalties, it is clear that breaches of privacy and data protection standards can lead to significant legal ramifications. The OAIC guidelines, which Services Australia adheres to, provide a framework for handling such breaches, ensuring that any violations are addressed appropriately to maintain the integrity of the data matching program and protect individual privacy.