In Australia, student data collection is governed by several laws and regulations that prioritise
the privacy and protection of student information. Here are the key legal frameworks related to
student data collection in Australia:

1.
Privacy Act 1988: The Privacy Act is a federal law that governs the collection, use,
storage, and disclosure of personal information, including student data. It sets out the
Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which outline the obligations of organisations,
including educational institutions, in handling personal information. The Act requires
entities to obtain consent for data collection, ensure data security, provide access to
personal information, and limit the use and disclosure of data to authorised purposes.
2. Australian Privacy Principles (APPs): The APPs are a set of principles that guide the
handling of personal information under the Privacy Act. They establish standards for the
collection, use, and disclosure of personal information, including student data. The APPs
cover key areas such as transparency, data security, consent, data quality, and
individual rights.
3. Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Victoria): In the state of Victoria, the Education
and Training Reform Act governs education and training practices. It includes provisions
related to the collection, use, and disclosure of student data by educational institutions.
The Act emphasises the importance of privacy and confidentiality in student records and
mandates that schools have appropriate policies and procedures in place to protect
student information.
4. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA): ACARA is a
statutory authority responsible for the development, implementation, and management of
the national curriculum in Australia. ACARA has specific guidelines and protocols to
ensure the privacy and security of student data collected during national assessments,
such as the NAPLAN tests.
5. State and Territory Education Acts: Each state and territory in Australia has its own
education legislation that may include provisions related to student data collection and
management. These acts outline the rights and responsibilities of educational
institutions, parents, and students, including the protection of student information.
6. Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical
Standard (AVETMISS): AVETMISS is a national data standard that governs the
collection and reporting of vocational education and training data in Australia. It provides
guidelines for the collection of student and training data, including personal information,
to ensure consistent and accurate reporting across the VET sector.

Educational institutions and organisations are responsible for understanding and complying with

these laws and regulations to protect the privacy and confidentiality of student data. They must
obtain consent for data collection, implement appropriate security measures, and have policies
and procedures in place to handle and safeguard student information in accordance with the
applicable legal frameworks.