Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2024A00104:section:537:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2024A00104
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 537 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 744856–747596

537  Authorisations to use or disclose information—general

Use or disclosure in performing functions or exercising powers under this Act
 (1) A person may use or disclose relevant information:
 (a) in the course of performing a function or duty, or exercising a power, under or in connection with this Act; or
 (b) to assist another person to perform a function or duty, or exercise a power, under or in connection with this Act.
Note 1: A provision of this section constitutes an authorisation for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988 and other laws (including the common law).
Note 2: Use, in relation to information, includes make a record of (see the definition of use in section 7).

Use or disclosure for purposes of proceedings
 (2) A person may disclose relevant information to a court, a Royal Commission or any other body or entity that has power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions:
 (a) for the purpose of complying with such a requirement; or
 (b) for the purpose of providing information to a Royal Commission, whether for the purpose of complying with such a requirement or otherwise.
Note 1: Section 542 limits the circumstances in which the court, Royal Commission, body or entity with such power may make such a requirement.
Note 2: For example, a Royal Commission under the Royal Commissions Act 1902 is a body or entity that has power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions.

Use or disclosure required or authorised by another Australian law
 (3) A person may use or disclose relevant information if the use or disclosure is required or authorised under an Australian law other than this Act.

Disclosure to entity to whom information relates
 (4) A person may disclose relevant information to the entity to which the information relates.

Use or disclosure with consent
 (5) A person may use or disclose relevant information for a purpose if the entity to which the information relates has consented to the person using or disclosing the information for that purpose (whether the consent is express or implied).

Disclosure to entity that provided information
 (6) A person may disclose relevant information to the entity that provided the information.

Use or disclosure of information that is already public
 (7) A person may use relevant information, or disclose relevant information to another person, if the information has already been lawfully made available to the public.

Use or disclosure for purposes of preventing serious threat to safety, health or wellbeing, etc.
 (8) A person may use or disclose relevant information if the person reasonably believes that the use or disclosure:
 (a) is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to