Questions and Answers
Who typically manages GIPA applications for student counselling files?
What is considered 'information' under the GIPA Act?
What role does Mental Health Services play when a GIPA request is received?
What should school counselling staff do if they receive access requests citing other legislation?
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Which of the following groups is NOT eligible to make GIPA applications?
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Study Notes
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act)
- Governs public access to government information in New South Wales.
- Established a structured process for responding to information requests from the NSW Department of Education.
Definition of Information
- Broadly defined; includes any compiled, recorded, or stored data, whether in writing or electronically.
GIPA Applications
- Can be submitted by diverse entities: parents, students, lawyers, external organizations, and media.
- Applications related to student counselling files are handled by the Right to Access Unit (RTA) in the Legal Services Directorate.
Management of Requests
- Individual school counselling staff are not responsible for managing GIPA requests.
- The RTA seeks consent from students aged 12 or over before releasing information.
- It assesses the validity of the requests and checks for potential exemptions under the GIPA Act.
Coordination with Mental Health Services
- Requests concerning student counselling files trigger notification to Mental Health Services for coordinated response.
Additional Resources
- Further details on the GIPA Act and information access processes are available on the Right to Access – Agency Information Guide page on the department's website.
Handling Other Legislative Requests
- School counselling staff encountering information requests citing other legislation should consult with their senior psychologist and Legal Services Directorate for guidance.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and its implications for accessing government information in New South Wales. This quiz covers the definitions, processes, and stakeholders involved in GIPA applications as outlined by the NSW Department of Education.
