Privacy Policy

The National Authority for Intervention, Safety and Reform is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals whose information we hold. This policy sets out how we collect, use, store, and disclose personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and applicable state and territory privacy legislation.

Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to provide protection services, manage offender compliance, coordinate multi-agency responses, and evaluate outcomes. This includes personal details, contact information, location data, incident reports, evidence submissions, risk assessments, and service records. We collect information directly from individuals, from referring agencies, from police and court systems, and from authorised third parties.

How We Use Information

We use personal information to assess risk, coordinate protection, manage compliance, support court proceedings, conduct research, and fulfil our statutory functions. We do not use information for purposes unrelated to our functions without legal authority or informed consent. We do not sell personal information under any circumstances. We do not use personal information for direct marketing.

Information Sharing

We share information with other agencies where necessary to protect safety, enforce orders, support prosecutions, or coordinate services. Recipients include police services, courts, corrections departments, health services, housing providers, and community organisations. All sharing is governed by information sharing agreements that specify permitted uses, security requirements, and retention obligations. We share the minimum information necessary for the specific purpose.

Data Security

We have designed comprehensive security measures including encryption, access controls, audit logging, and staff training frameworks. Our security architecture is designed to achieve ISO 27001:2022 certification and independent audit once operational. We have developed breach response protocols that will notify affected individuals and regulators where required by law.

Access and Correction

Individuals have the right to request access to their personal information and to request correction of inaccurate information. Access requests are processed within 30 days, subject to exemptions that protect safety, privacy, or legal proceedings. Correction requests are actioned promptly, and where we decline correction, individuals may request that a statement of disagreement be attached to their record.

Retention and Deletion

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary for our functions and in accordance with legislative requirements. When information is no longer required, we securely delete or de-identify it. Retention periods vary by information type and are specified in our records management policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is NAISAR?

NAISAR is the proposed National Authority for Intervention, Safety and Reform — an integrated domestic violence response framework that combines risk assessment, victim protection, offender monitoring, and multi-agency coordination through a single technology platform. It is not yet an operational agency.

Who can access NAISAR?

NAISAR services are available to victims of domestic and family violence, offenders enrolled in reform programs, police officers, court staff, health professionals, and authorised community service providers. Access is governed by role-based permissions and strict security protocols.

Is NAISAR a government agency?

NAISAR is proposed to operate as a statutory authority established under Commonwealth legislation, working in partnership with state and territory governments, police services, and community organisations. Legislative establishment is pending government decision.

How is NAISAR funded?

NAISAR receives funding from Commonwealth, state, and territory governments. We also pursue efficiency gains through technology integration that reduce costs across the broader domestic violence response system.

For Victims and Survivors

How do I get help from NAISAR?

You can contact NAISAR through our mobile application, website, or 24-hour support line. Police, health services, and community organisations can also refer you to NAISAR. You do not need to have reported violence to police to access our services.

Will the offender know I am using NAISAR?

This depends on your situation and the protection measures in place. Some protective measures are visible to the offender, such as court orders and exclusion zones. Others, such as enhanced monitoring and evidence collection, may not be disclosed. Your caseworker will explain what the offender can and cannot know in your specific circumstances.

Can I use NAISAR if I have not gone to the police?

Yes. NAISAR services are available regardless of whether you have reported to police. We can help you assess your options, develop safety plans, and access support services even if you do not wish to pursue criminal charges.

What if I change my mind?

You can withdraw from NAISAR services at any time, with limited exceptions where legal obligations require continued engagement. Your caseworker will discuss any implications of withdrawal and support your decision.

Is my information safe?

Yes. NAISAR employs the highest available security standards, including end-to-end encryption, Australian sovereign data storage, and strict access controls. Your information is never sold, and it is only shared with other agencies where necessary for your safety.

For Offenders

Why am I in the NAISAR system?

You may be enrolled in NAISAR as a condition of bail, a court order, a diversion program, or voluntary participation in a rehabilitation pathway. Your caseworker can explain the specific basis for your enrollment and what is expected of you.

What happens if I do not comply?

Non-compliance triggers graduated consequences ranging from formal warnings through to police intervention, prosecution, and potential remand. The specific response depends on the nature of the non-compliance, your history, and current risk assessment.

Can I access my own information?

Yes, subject to exemptions that protect victim safety and investigative integrity. You can request access to your personal information through the NAISAR app or by contacting your case manager.

Does NAISAR help with rehabilitation?

Yes. NAISAR coordinates rehabilitation programs including counselling, behavioural change programs, substance use treatment, and support services. Successful engagement with rehabilitation is recognised and can lead to positive case outcomes.

For Professionals

How do I refer someone to NAISAR?

Authorised professionals can make referrals through the NAISAR professional portal, by secure email, or by telephone. You will need to provide basic identifying information, a summary of concerns, and your professional details. The referral will be triaged and assigned within 24 hours.

What training is required?

Professionals accessing NAISAR systems must complete role-specific training covering privacy obligations, system operation, risk assessment methodology, and ethical standards. Training is delivered online and in person, with refresher requirements annually.

Can I share NAISAR information with other agencies?

Information sharing is governed by information sharing agreements and the Privacy Act. You may share information where necessary for your functions and where recipients are authorised to receive it. When in doubt, consult your privacy officer or contact NAISAR for guidance.

Who do I contact for technical support?

Technical support is available 24 hours per day through the NAISAR support centre. Professional users have access to priority support channels with dedicated response times.

Accessibility Commitment

NAISAR is committed to ensuring that our services, technology, and information are accessible to all Australians, including people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people in remote or rural areas.

The proposed NAISAR mobile application is designed to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. The design includes screen reader compatibility, adjustable text sizes, high contrast modes, voice input and output, and simplified navigation options. Accessibility testing with users who have diverse abilities will be conducted during development.

Information is available in multiple formats upon request, including plain English, Easy Read, Auslan video, and community languages. Our support line offers interpreter services in over 150 languages, including Indigenous languages.

We recognise that accessibility is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment. We welcome feedback about accessibility barriers and respond promptly to address concerns.

Transparency

NAISAR operates with a presumption of transparency. We publish annual reports, performance metrics, financial statements, and research findings. We respond to freedom of information requests in accordance with statutory timeframes. We maintain public registers of policies, procedures, and guidelines that govern our operations.

Our public reporting includes statistics on case volumes, response times, protection tier distributions, compliance rates, and outcome measures. We report disaggregated data where sample sizes permit, enabling analysis of equity and effectiveness across demographic groups.

We acknowledge that complete transparency is not always possible. Some information must remain confidential to protect victim safety, preserve investigative integrity, or respect legal privilege. Where we cannot disclose information, we explain the basis for non-disclosure to the extent permitted by law.

Ethics and Governance

NAISAR maintains an Ethics and Governance Board that oversees compliance with ethical standards, reviews challenging cases, and provides guidance on emerging issues. The board includes independent members with expertise in human rights, privacy law, domestic violence, Indigenous affairs, and technology ethics.

All NAISAR staff are bound by a code of conduct that requires respectful treatment of all individuals, protection of confidential information, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and reporting of misconduct. The code is enforced through disciplinary processes that include termination for serious breaches.

Algorithmic systems, including AI Guardian, are subject to ethical review before deployment and ongoing monitoring thereafter. Reviews assess fairness, accuracy, transparency, and potential for harm. Systems that fail ethical review are not deployed. Systems that show unacceptable performance in operation are modified or decommissioned.

Research involving NAISAR data requires ethics approval from an approved human research ethics committee. Researchers must demonstrate that their work serves legitimate purposes, protects privacy, and produces knowledge that benefits the community. Individual consent is required for identifiable data use unless waived by the ethics committee with appropriate safeguards.

Whistleblower Protections

NAISAR recognises that staff and partners may observe misconduct, negligence, or wrongdoing that should be reported. We encourage disclosure of concerns and protect those who make disclosures in good faith.

Disclosures can be made through multiple channels: direct reporting to supervisors, confidential reporting to the Ethics and Governance Board, anonymous reporting through an independent external hotline, or statutory disclosure to the Commonwealth Ombudsman or Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.

Whistleblowers receive legal protections against retaliation, including protection from dismissal, demotion, harassment, or adverse treatment. These protections apply regardless of whether the disclosed information ultimately proves correct, provided the disclosure was made in good faith and on reasonable grounds. NAISAR investigates all disclosures promptly and takes corrective action where concerns are substantiated.

We treat false disclosures made with malicious intent seriously, but we do not penalise genuine mistakes. The threshold for protection is good faith, not perfect accuracy. This encourages reporting of concerns that might otherwise go unaddressed due to fear of error.