Glossary

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Key definitions

The following definitions are from s6(1) of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth):

personal information means information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can be reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

health information means:

(a) information or an opinion about:

(i) the health of disability (at any time) of an individual; or
(ii) an individual's expressed wishes about the future of health services to him or her; or
(iii) a health service provided, or to be provided, to an individual; that is also personal information; or

(b) other personal information collected to provide, or in providing, a health service; or

(c) other personal information about an individual collected in connection with the donation, or intended donation, by the individual of his or her body parts, organs or body substances; or

(d) genetic information about an individual in a form that is, or could be, predictive of the health of the individual or a genetic relative of the individual.

health service means:

(a) an activity performed in relation to an individual that is intended or claimed (expressly or otherwise) by the individual or the person performing it:

(i) to assess, record, maintain or improve the individual's health; or
(ii) to diagnose the individual's illness or disability; or
(iii) to treat the individual's illness or disability or suspected illness or disability; or

(b) the dispensing on prescription of a drug or medicinal preparation by a pharmacist.