Personal information requests
You can get access to information including personal information about you, and where consent is in place, your family member or your representative can also gain access. We have developed a factsheet to help understand what and how you can get information from DVA and Defence.
You have the right to access your personal information under the Privacy Act 1988.
Personal information is details such as a name, address and contact details that could reasonably identify an individual. Personal information could be included in the following types of documents and records that we hold:
- medical or service records (if previously received from you or Defence)
- service summary (if previously received from you or Defence)
- payments history and schedules
- applications or claims made by an individual and the department’s assessment of those applications or claims
- determination letters
- impairment reports
- records of contact with a veteran, family member or nominated representative
- documents provided to or supplied by the veteran, family member or nominated representative
Accessing information via this method has a number of benefits:
- Applicants do not need to lodge a formal written request to access information, which is necessary if you apply to access information under FOI or other legislation.
- information requests can be answered in different ways, and may be as simple as a verbal discussion or email.
- the process is a simpler, less expensive, and faster option than FOI for accessing information.
- a statement of reasons outlining applicable legislative provisions is not required, which reduces processing times for the Department.
Accessing your Service History
A summary of your service history is available through MyService.
DVA only holds the records that have previously been provided to us, DVA does not hold any information about your service that you have not consented to us receiving.
For a full service history (service records, statement of military service) the quickest way is to contact the Department of Defence:
Visiting the Department of Defence website
Back to topCurrent Claims Information
Section 59 of the DRCA and section 331 of the MRCA provide persons who have made claims under these Acts the ability to access documents held by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) relating to their current claim
If you wish to access information about a current claim:
Check MyService
It is a good idea to start with MyService. It’s a quick and easy way to find information for your current claims submitted via MyService only.
In MyService you can:
- view personal details
- view medical practitioners’ details
- check the progress of a claim lodged through MyService
- see your accepted conditions
To register with MyService go to myGov.
Ask your Delegate
If you’re looking for information about a current claim, you can get in touch with the assigned delegate. Speaking to a delegate is a fast way to get the information you need.
Delegates can only provide information about a current claim, they generally can’t give you any information about previous claims. However, you can still call and speak to someone if you need to.
Your delegate’s name and direct phone number may be on a recent email or letter you received from the Department. You can also contact the department on 1800 VETERAN and quote the delegates position number.
Submit a Personal information request (PIR)
You can request personal information under administrative release, Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) or Australian Privacy Principles 12 (APP12).
APP12 requires an entity who holds personal information about an individual must, on request, give that individual access to the information.
The method of access (administrative release, MRCA, DRCA, or APP12) does not change the outcome of the request.
Once you submit a personal information request we aim to process your request within 30 days and no charges apply.
Back to topHow to lodge a Personal information request
You can submit a PIR via email, or post using our Information Access Application form. Our contact details are provided below.
Applicants will confirm their identity by submitting certified identity documents and will receive information either via email or SigBox (secure file transfer) for larger files.
Under the Privacy Act 1988 the information may be redacted to protect the privacy of third parties before release. For more details see the redaction guidelines.
Back to topRequests made on your behalf
Giving consent for a family member or an advocate to access your personal information is an important part of protecting your privacy. We only share your information if you have provided informed consent, or where the law allows the release of information without your consent.
We may also ask for your consent to request your personal information from other organisations, such as Defence or from your medical practitioners.
If consent to disclose information has already been recorded by us and is relevant to the information being requested, proof of identity will need to be provided by the family member or advocate.
There is more information about consent in our FAQs.
Back to topDeceased persons
If you are an Advocate or Representative requesting information about someone who has passed away, please complete form D9394 - Access to information and documents held by DVA relating to a deceased person.
For family members or another person acting with the authority of the client please complete form D8601 - Information Access Application Form.
Back to topRequest Outcomes
DVA aims to provide the requested information within 30 days, we will contact you to clarify your request if the scope is unclear or unreasonably large.
Applicants do not have a right of review for personal information requests, if the information supplied is inadequate, a FOI request may be submitted for a more formal review.
Back to topFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Additional information on the PIR process, consent etc. can be found in our FAQs.
Back to topContact Us
If sending in a PIR by the below methods, please make sure you are sending in a completed Information Access form.
Email us:
Phone us:
1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) and when prompted, say why you’re calling
Write to us:
Information Access Unit
Department of Veterans' Affairs
GPO Box 9998
Brisbane QLD 4001
Resources
- Accessing information guidelines and policies
- Accessing information through the Information Access Unit (DVA and Defence)
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
- Defence PIR requests page
- MRCA
- DRCA
- APP12