If a Queensland government agency or Minister holds personal information about you that you think is wrong, you may be able to have it corrected.
Personal information is any information about you that could reasonably identify you. It may be incorrect if it is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date or misleading.
Informal request
The first step is to contact the agency and ask them to correct it. Government agencies must take reasonable steps to make sure your personal information is correct. If the information is a simple fact, such as your name or address, this should be a straightforward process.
Formal request
If the agency will not correct the information informally, you can apply to have it amended under the Right to Information Act 2009. To do this, you must know the exact words or numbers you believe are wrong.
You must apply in writing and explain:
- what is wrong,
- what needs to change,
- provide supporting evidence, and
- provide proof of identity.
Considerations
Not all information can be changed. For example, you usually cannot amend a record of your medical history, a doctor’s opinion or an investigator’s conclusion. The amendment process cannot be used to rewrite the past or reopen closed matters.
The agency generally has 25 business days to decide on an amendment application. If the agency refuses to amend the information, you may have review rights. You can also ask for a notation to be added to the record.
So, if you think your information is wrong, start by contacting the agency with an informal request. If needed, you can then apply for a formal amendment.