The role of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) delivers 5 energy rebates across NSW:
- Gas Rebate
- Low Income Household Rebate
- Medical Energy Rebate
- Life Support Rebate
- Family Energy Rebate.
We also deliver the National Energy Bill Relief payments, a joint initiative between the Australian and NSW Governments that aims to help eligible households and small businesses pay their electricity bills in the financial year 2024/25.
General information
We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal details securely, in accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, (PPIP Act), which regulates the collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information. Any health information you provide will be handled in accordance with the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002, (HRIP Act), which outlines how NSW public sector agencies manage health information.
This Privacy Statement should be read together with our Privacy Management Plan, and any location-specific notices.
The information you provide in your application is collected and stored by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. This Privacy Notice describes how the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will handle the personal and health information you provide.
Queries or complaints regarding privacy are handled by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI’s) Information Access & Privacy unit on behalf of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Personal, business and health information collected by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
We collect relevant personal information that you provide in your application to assess your eligibility. This information could include, but is not limited to your:
- name
- post address
- contact information
- energy account and bill details
- bank details (for payment).
We also collect relevant business information that you provide in your application to assess eligibility. This information could include, but is not limited to:
- business name
- entity type
- business location(s)
- authorised person(s) and their contact details
- bank details including bank statements and bank letterheads
- energy account and bill details.
We also collect relevant health information that you provide in your rebate application to assess your eligibility. This information could include, but is not limited to your:
- qualified medical practitioner’s name and provider details
- the medical equipment you use
- information on any medical conditions that make you eligible for an energy rebate.
You may submit an application on behalf of a family member, your partner, or people living in your household, however you must obtain and confirm you have their consent prior to providing this information to us.
The purpose of collecting personal information
We are collecting your personal information to administer, evaluate and audit Energy Rebates. We will only use personal information collected in a way that is consistent with these purposes. We may use your personal information to:
- help us deliver our services, including but not limited to:
- assessing and processing your rebate application
- contacting you if we have any difficulties with your application
- responding to requests or enquiries you have made
- providing you with services you have requested
- for the 2024/25 financial year only, assessing your eligibility for a payment to be made to you under the National Energy Bill Relief Payment
- undertake observations and analysis of audience choices, preferences, behaviour and characteristics both individually and in aggregate
- for system administration, protection and maintenance including auditing, identifying, and controlling system abuse and preventing cyber-attacks.
The purpose of collecting business information
We are collecting your business information to administer, evaluate, and audit the 2024/25 National Energy Bill Relief Small Business Payment. We will only use business information collected in a way that is consistent with these purposes. We may use your business information to:
- help us deliver our services, including but not limited to:
- assessing your eligibility for a payment to be made to you under the National Energy Bill Relief Payment.
- contacting you if we have any difficulties with your application
- responding to requests or enquiries you have made
- providing you with services you have requested
- undertake observations and analysis of audience choices, preferences, behaviour and characteristics both individually and in aggregate
- for system administration, protection and maintenance including auditing, identifying, and controlling system abuse and preventing cyber-attacks.
The purpose of collecting health information
We are collecting your health information to administer, evaluate, and audit your Life Support Rebate application and your Medical Energy Rebate application (when applicable). We will only use health information collected in a way that is consistent with these purposes. We may use your health information to:
- help us deliver our services, including but not limited to:
- assessing and processing your Life Support Rebate or Medical Energy Rebate application
- for the 2024/25 financial year only, assessing your eligibility for a payment to be made to you under the National Energy Bill Relief Payment.
Sharing and securing your personal, business and health information
We may share some of your details such as name, address and CRN with your energy retailer, Services Australia, other government agencies such as Service NSW or third-party audit service providers. We will only share your information when necessary and only to assess your eligibility for a rebate, or for audit purposes. Otherwise, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will not share your information unless you have given consent or to meet a requirement under law.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water uses a third-party system called Microsoft Azure to collect and store your personal information.
Compulsory personal, business and health information
Applying for Rebates and providing your information is voluntary. You are not required by law to provide us your information. However, if you choose not to provide the required information, we may not be able to process your application and determine whether you are eligible for one or more rebates.
Access to your information
You have the right to access, or request updates to, the personal, business and health information that the NSW Government holds about you.
Disposal of your information
Your personal information will be held no longer than necessary and disposed of appropriately in compliance with applicable privacy and state records legislation and in accordance with DPHI’s Privacy Management Plan.
Contact
If you would like more information about privacy or if you wish to make a complaint, you can contact:
Information Access & Privacy Unit
NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Email: [email protected]
Post: 4 Parramatta Square, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta NSW 2124
Website: dpie.nsw.gov.au/privacy
If you would like to update or amend your information, or if you would like more information about Energy Rebates, you can contact:
Energy Rebates
Energy Social Programs, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Call: (02) 8073 9255
Email: [email protected]
Post: PO Box 435 Parramatta NSW 2124
Website: energy.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-grants-and-schemes