NOTICE OF A DATA MATCHING PROGRAM
SERVICES AUSTRALIA
This notice refers to the commenced of a new data matching between Services Australia (the Agency) and the Department of Educations, Skills and Employment in relation to the Youth Allowance (student), ABSTUDY, Austudy and the Pensioner Education Supplement programs.
This data matching program involves the exchange of data between the DESE and the Agency to compare information held by the DESE relating to Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and the VET Student Loans program with the information social security or ABSTUDY customers have reported to the Agency.
Specifically, this seeks to make it easier for a student to claim a social security payment or ABSTUDY; and to detect and address potential non-compliance or fraudulent activity by recipients of a social security payment or ABSTUDY, identify potential overpayments, and correct existing payable rates.
A protocol document describing the program has been developed in consultation with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Copies of the document are available from:
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/about-us/corporate-publications-and-resources/centrelink-data-matching-activities
The Agency adheres to the OAIC Guidelines on Data Matching in Australian Government Administration which includes standards for data matching to protect the privacy of individuals. The Agency’s privacy policy is available from:
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/about-us/corporate-publications-and-resources/privacy-policy