Last updated 20 April 2019

What is personal information?

Personal information is information or an opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent or can be determined from the information. Personal information includes information or an opinion that is part of a database. The personal information may be true or not and may be recorded in a material form or not.

Commonwealth and Queensland legislation on personal information covers the collection, storage, handling, accessing, amendment, transfer, use and disclosure of personal information, regardless of when it came into existence.

Personal information generally includes information about a person’s:

  • health
  • personal relationships
  • domestic or living arrangements
  • name
  • address
  • date of birth
  • religious or political affiliations
  • personal financial arrangements.

Personal information would not normally include information about a person’s:

  • business
  • professional or workplace activities.

There may be circumstances where employment-related matters relate to personal information. Applicants should discuss their application with a representative of the agency holding the information for guidance if it is not clear whether the information is personal information. This should happen before the application is lodged.