Information about how the Commission collects, stores, uses and discloses personal information
The Legal Services Commission is committed to protecting your privacy and right to access information. Like other Queensland public sector agencies, the Commission is required to comply with the Queensland Privacy Principles in the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). These principles outline how personal information must be collected and managed by the public sector. The Commission’s collection, storage, use and disclosure of your information is also regulated by the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) and the Public Records Act 2023 (Qld).
The Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) also includes the right to privacy and reputation. As a statutory authority, we have an obligation to act and make decisions in a way that is compatible with human rights and, when making a decision, to give proper consideration to human rights.
Given the changes made to the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) and the Right to information Act 2009 (Qld) by the Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (Qld), the Commission is required to publish updated policy documents on its website. The Commission has begun this process, as a result some documents on this site will change or be amended as the Commission ensures compliance with the above legislation. If you have any questions, contact us.
Personal information includes any information or an opinion, whether true or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent or can be reasonably identified. Depending on the reasons you contact the Commission, the type of information we may collect can include:
Usually, we will tell you the reason why we are collecting your information, or it will be clear from the context.
For example, we only collect information:
For members of the profession and other key stakeholders, we may use the personal information collected for other regulatory functions, as well as for communication and engagement activities.
Unless you specifically tell us, the Commission will not know who you are. Any personal information you provide will be used for the purpose specified at the time it is collected and will otherwise be managed in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld).
We collect personal information in various ways, including via online forms, paper forms, telephone, email and in person. We usually collect your personal information directly from you. However, there may be times when we collect information from a third-party source, like during the investigation of a complaint.
Under the Public Records Act 2023 (Qld), any correspondence with the Commission, such as emails or information provided via a form, may be kept as a public record.
If you call us when our telephones are unattended, you may leave a recorded message. Recordings may be saved and stored on our secure database as part of a case file.
We only use or disclose personal information for the purposes for which it was collected and for related purposes. We don’t disclose your personal information unless one of the following applies:
For example, when dealing with a complaint or investigation, we may disclose your personal information to:
If we begin proceedings in QCAT, the Legal Practice Committee or Magistrates Court, your personal information may also be lawfully disclosed to those bodies. In these cases, the reason for the disclosure of personal information is in line with the reason for its collection.
We may use and disclose your personal information for a secondary, related purpose that you would reasonably expect, based on the reason we initially collected it. If needed, we may also disclose your personal information to:
Your personal information will be de-identified in any published reports or research.
All personal information is stored securely and treated as confidential. Hard-copy and electronic records of personal information are stored securely in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld). The Commission takes all reasonable steps to safeguard your privacy and prevent any loss, unauthorised access or other misuse of personal information.
Camera surveillance (CCTV) operates at the Commission’s premises. All CCTV cameras are installed to surveil public areas as part of a security system to act as a deterrent to unwanted behaviour of persons, to ensure public safety, as an aid to the monitoring of people, events or activities, and to assist in timely and effective response to incidents and to gather evidentiary material. Footage will only be accessed by persons authorised to do so. Your personal information may be disclosed to other Queensland government agencies such as the Queensland Police Service, Department of Justice, contracted service providers or other law enforcement agencies. Unless authorised or required by law, your personal information will not otherwise be disclosed to any other third party without your consent.
All footage is stored securely and will only be viewed and accessed by authorised persons. The footage is retained in accordance with the Public Records Act 2023, which in most cases is 30 days or unless otherwise directed.
You can request to amend your personal information if it is inaccurate, incomplete, outdated or misleading. Fill out an application form and send it to the Commission by email or post (see below).
Generally, you won’t be charged for making an application to access or amend your personal information, but there are some exceptions. There are circumstances where we may lawfully deny your request, however we will tell you why. The Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) also limits our ability to provide access to information.
For more information about accessing information, see Right to Information. The Office of the Information Commissioner also provides more information about accessing your personal information.
If you are seeking to access or amend your personal information, you must provide a certified copy of your identification document. If you are making the request on behalf of someone else, you must provide certified copies of both identities, as well as proof of your authority to act on that person’s behalf (for example a signed authority or power of attorney document).
Right to Information and Privacy CoordinatorLegal Services CommissionPO BOX 10310 Adelaide StreetBrisbane QLD 4000
LSC@lsc.qld.gov.au
If you believe we have not protected your personal information as set out in this privacy statement and the Information Privacy Act 2009, please tell us. We would like to try to resolve your privacy complaint.
To make a privacy complaint about the Commission, you must send your complaint to the Commission in writing and include:
Send any concerns regarding your privacy to:
If you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain in writing to the Office of the Information Commissioner.
The information technology staff at the Department of Justice may monitor emails for system troubleshooting, maintenance and security.
This site does not provide open access facilities for securely transmitting information across the Internet. You are advised that there can be risks with transmitting information across the Internet.
This site may contain links to non-Queensland Government websites. The Commission is not responsible for the privacy or security practices or the content of such websites.
