The role of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW/the department/we) deliver 6 energy rebates and one crisis support scheme across NSW:
- Gas Rebate
- Low Income Household Rebate
- Medical Energy Rebate
- Life Support Rebate
- Family Energy Rebate
- Seniors Energy Rebate
- Energy Accounts Payment Assistance.
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 on this page is specific to the Energy website. Other websites managed by the department may have separate privacy and security policies that can be viewed on those websites.
The information you provide in your application is collected and stored by the department. This Privacy Statement describes how the department will handle the personal and health information you provide.
Queries or complaints regarding privacy are handled by the department's Information Access & Privacy unit.
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
- current short-term financial crisis or emergency
- bank details (for payment).
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 and Energy Accounts Payment Assistance. 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 or Energy Accounts Payment Assistance 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
- 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.
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 provider, 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, the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance or for audit purposes.
For customers living in an embedded network, we may share your details such as name, address and CRN with your energy retailer or exempt seller. We will only share your information if your energy retailer or exempt seller is responsible for delivering the energy rebates to you.
Otherwise, we will not share your information unless you have given consent or to meet a requirement under law.
The department uses a third-party system called Microsoft Azure to collect and store your personal information.
Compulsory personal, business and health information
Applying for rebates or for the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance 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, or for the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance.
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 the department’s Privacy Management Plan.
Contact
For more information about privacy at the department, please contact:
Information Access & Privacy Unit
Locked Bag 5022 Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: 02 8275 1095
Email: [email protected]
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
Social Impact Programs, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
PO Box 435 Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: 02 8073 9255
Email: [email protected]