ACTIn ForceAct
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
271Confidentiality of information
Start here
Get a plain-English read of 271
Turn the raw legal text into a practical explanation grounded in Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
271 Confidentiality of information
(1) This section applies if a person obtains information or gains access to
a document in exercising any power or function under this Act (other
than under part 7 (Workplace entry by WHS entry permit-holders)).
(2) The person must not do any of the following:
(a) disclose to anyone else—
(i) the information; or
(ii) the contents of or information contained in the document;
(b) give access to the document to anyone else;
(c) use the information or document for any purpose.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to the disclosure of information, or the
giving of access to a document or the use of information or a
document—
(a) about a person, with the person’s consent; or
(b) that is necessary for the exercise of a power or function under
this Act; or
(c) that is authorised under section 271A; or
(d) that is required by any court, tribunal, authority or person having
lawful authority to require the production of documents or the
answering of questions; or
(e) that is required or authorised under a law; or
(f) to a Minister.
(4) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person (the defendant) intentionally discloses to another
person the name of an individual; and
(b) the individual has made a complaint in relation to the person to
whom the individual’s name is disclosed; and
(c) the defendant knows or is reckless as to that fact.
(5) However, the defendant does not commit an offence under
subsection (4) if the disclosure is made with the consent of the
individual or is required under a law.