Can I suppress my name from a public register?
The PPIP Act contains specific rules which regulate when NSW public sector agencies can disclose personal information contained in public registers, and when an individual can ask for their personal information to be suppressed from a public register. (More information about public registers) .
In some circumstances, where the safety or wellbeing of any person would be affected an individual may request that his or her personal information should not be made available to the public.
The PPIP Act says that where personal information is contained, or is proposed to be contained, in a public register an individual can request that the public sector agency responsible for keeping the register:
- removes or does not place the information on the register; or
- does not disclose the information from the register to the public.
If the agency is satisfied that the safety or well-being of any person would be affected by not suppressing the personal information as requested then:
- the agency must suppress the information; unless
- the agency believes that the public interest in maintaining public access to the information outweighs any individual interest in suppressing the information.
If you wish to have your name suppressed from a public register you should find out which public sector agency is responsible for keeping and maintaining the register.
You must then satisfy the agency that the safety or well-being of you or any other person would be affected if your personal information was made available in a public register.
You should:
- contact the agency which is responsible for keeping the register; and
- ask that your name be suppressed from the register; and
- explain how your, or another person’s, safety or well-being would be affected if your personal information was placed on the register and made publicly available. You should provide appropriate information in support of your request to satisfy the agency that your personal information should be suppressed.
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