How we protect your privacy

Your privacy is very important to us. The Growing Up in Australia study follows strict procedures to ensure that only authorised people have access to the information provided to us and that all interviewers, researchers and others involved in the study comply with the Privacy Act 1988.

Over time, the Growing Up in Australia study has collected a range of information from you, including personal and sensitive information.

• Personal information is defined as any information or opinion about an identified individual.
• Any details relating to race, ethnicity or health are considered as sensitive information.

More information on privacy definitions as used in the Study is available on the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner website.

Basic information about you may have been collected from the members of your family/household who have been asked to participate in a Growing Up in Australia survey. This information collected about you may include contact information, details of relationships, caring roles, COVID-19 impacts, and financial support. This enables us to better understand the situation that Study participants are living in.

Privacy statement

The Growing Up in Australia study is an ongoing study with information collected using a variety of approaches including computer self-interview, paper and web form, telephone interview and face-to-face interview. Information is being used to further the understanding of child and adolescent development and wellbeing to help the government plan future policies and services. Data released to researchers or policy makers is de-identified, and only combined results (aggregate) are published. All information collected is kept strictly confidential.

In line with the Privacy Act 1988, separate consent is sought from study participants to release personal and sensitive information to any other person or organisation for the purpose of the study. If the organisation responsible for collecting data for Growing Up in Australia changes again in the future, AIFS and Roy Morgan will be required to disclose information to that organisation.

Participation in the study is voluntary. Growing Up in Australia study participants may withdraw from the study at any time or choose not to take part in some aspects of the study. However, information collected prior to withdrawal continues to be used and forms part of the Growing Up in Australia data. Any queries can be directed to Growing Up in Australia by:

• Phone:1800 005 508
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail:
  Roy Morgan
  GPO Box 2282,
  MELBOURNE, VIC, 3001

Privacy policies

DSS, AIFS and Roy Morgan

Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children has previously been conducted as a partnership between the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), with advice provided by a consortium of leading researchers. In 2022, the ABS ceased their role in the study and AIFS has been managing the ongoing fieldwork for the study through a new provider, Roy Morgan.

See the relevant privacy policies:

• DSS
• AIFS
• Roy Morgan

Further information on privacy

Under the Privacy Act 1988, you are entitled to access, or seek correction of, personal information held about you by the study by: emailing: [email protected] or by calling: 1800 005 508 or by writing to: Roy Morgan, GPO Box 2282, MELBOURNE, VIC, 3001.

If you have a privacy complaint in relation to the Growing Up in Australia study, you may lodge a complaint by: Emailing: [email protected] or by writing to: DSS Feedback, GPO Box 9820, Canberra ACT, 2601

For general advice on privacy, or if you are not satisfied with DSS’s response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner by visiting the or by writing to: GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001.