What privacy and secrecy safeguards are in place?
The external collection agencies are required to meet all Commonwealth privacy and security requirements. They are open to scrutiny and audit processes from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Prior to commencing the referral of cases, the Tax Office completed a thorough physical and technology security audit on each of the external collection agencies to ensure that all privacy and security requirements were in place. Agency staff are also bound by the same security requirements that apply to all Tax Office staff. Prior to commencement they are subject to the same scrutiny as new Tax Office employees, including external police checks. The Tax Office binds its contractors to the same privacy standards that apply to the Tax Office as an agency under the Privacy Act. We also require their staff to sign a secrecy declaration that outlines their security responsibilities and obligations. The signature of each staff member demonstrates a willingness t