Privacy

The Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) values and is committed to protecting your privacy.

We handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) (PDP Act), Public Records Act 1973 (Vic), Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and other applicable legislation.

This privacy statement applies to this website and apps listed below. It is consistent with the department's privacy policy and applies to all activities of the department and its agencies.

This website contains links to other websites which are not part of the department. This privacy statement does not apply to those websites.

The department's privacy policy is available from the Privacy Officer.

Privacy Officer
Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action
PO Box 500
East Melbourne VIC 3001
Email: foi.unit@deeca.vic.gov.au

The department's privacy policy is available at: https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/doing-business-with-us/information-privacy, or you may request it from the Privacy Officer using the contact details above.

Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic): Personal information

In this privacy statement the term 'personal information' has the meaning provided in section 3 of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).

Personal information is information or an opinion that is recorded in any form, whether true or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent or can reasonably be ascertained.

This Act is the legislation that regulates our collection and handling of personal information.

Detailed information about the Act is available at the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner.

Collection of personal information

It is intended that this website can be used anonymously. However, for some functions, the collection of personal information is necessary or unavoidable. You will know if the department is collecting personal information from you because you will be requested to provide it.

There are two exceptions to this:

When someone else provides the department with your personal information. The department cannot prevent this. However, you are entitled to access and to correct any personal information about you collected by the department.
When the department collects website visitation statistics using a web analytics service.

The statistics in No. 2 may qualify as personal information under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic). However, these statistics are not used to identify individual web users.

For further information regarding this, see web usage measurement.

DEECA will only collect personal information that is necessary for its functions or activities and will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are aware of the purpose of collection, how it will be used or disclosed, and how you can access it.

How we collect information

In accordance with our privacy policy, the department undertakes to treat any personal information provided by you as confidential and only for the purposes indicated. They include but are not limited to the following services.

Surveys

The department uses both internally built survey software and third-party vendors for the collection, aggregation and analysis of some survey data.

They include, but may not be limited to:

The information you provide is stored in secure data warehouse in either Australia or the United States and is accessed by the department in accordance with each privacy policy.

Where survey information is stored or processed outside Victoria, DEECA takes reasonable steps to ensure it is handled in accordance with privacy standards substantially similar to those under the PDP Act.

If you do not want your personal information being stored offshore, you can decline to provide this information by not responding to these surveys.

Electronic Direct Mail (EDM) and Newsletter Subscription

The department uses both internally built mail distribution software and third-party vendors to provide online communication services for some email campaigns and newsletter services.

In subscribing to newsletters, you are providing the department with personal information, which we will not disclose for any other purpose without your consent.

You can unsubscribe at any time and your email address will be moved to a 'do not contact' email database. To do this, click on the unsubscribe link within each email or newsletter type you have previously subscribed to.

Subscriptions supported by third-party vendors only share details to assist with managing delivery, technical issues and the prevention of fraud or security issues. They include but may not be limited to:

Your information will be stored on secure databases which reside in Australia, and the USA. If you do not want your personal information being stored offshore, please do not submit personal information to us.

Where data is hosted offshore, DEECA ensures equivalent protections are in place, in accordance with those under the PDP Act.

Social media

If you choose to engage with the department via social network channels including LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Instagram or Facebook you should be aware of the following:

The department only collects information that you voluntarily provide via polls, responses, posts, comments, direct messages and tweets.
Your social media profile contact details may be used to contact you for feedback or to engage you in conversation. All contact will be made via the channels you choose to participate in.
Any information you post on social media sites is potentially accessible to anyone else engaging with the same social media site.
Your individual privacy settings for profiles and accounts on social media networks are your responsibility. The department has no control or jurisdiction over these settings.
Each social network has inbuilt privacy settings. We strongly recommend that you regularly check and configure the privacy settings for your profiles and accounts to make sure that you know what information you are making available and to which audience.
When you choose to join our social networks or participate in any way, some of your personal information may be made visible to others. For example, if you choose to: ‘Like’ a department post, tweet, comment or update; share a link; follow on Twitter; tweet a mention or retweet a message; or join a Facebook Group, your activity may be made visible to others within these networks.

Social media accounts managed by the department include but may not be limited to:

Facebook tracking pixels

In addition to anonymous cookies and clickstream data we also collect identifiable information through the use of Facebook tracking pixels. A tracking pixel is a small transparent graphic image that is placed on a web page. The pixel allows us to collect information regarding the use of the web page that contains the tracking pixel. If you have used Facebook on the same device, we share the tracking pixel data with Facebook and they use the information collected from the page to optimise the advertising you see when using Facebook.

DEECA uses Facebook Pixel data to understand and improve campaign reach. This data does not include names or contact details and is managed in accordance with DEECA’s Privacy Policy and Meta’s Data Policy.

If you are a registered user of Facebook and you do not wish Facebook to track your use of pages on our website in this way, you can opt out by changing your advertisement settings.

Online Forms

The department may request information through online forms. A short privacy collection notice will be included with each online form explaining how your information will be used and managed.

If completing a form through a third-party provider, it’s advised that you examine their Privacy and Security policies. Third party vendors include, but may not be limited to:

Formsite Privacy Policy

If there is no policy present it is highly recommended you contact the contributing agency or department directly.

If payment services are supported by third-party vendors, the department will only share your details with them to assist with either:

resolution of technical issues
detection or prevention of fraud or security issues.

Where information is stored outside Victoria, DEECA requires vendors to comply with equivalent privacy safeguards and contractual obligations.

Notify Now App

This privacy statement applies only to your use of the app.

This app contains links to websites. This privacy statement does not apply to those websites.

The department, through the app, will collect personal information about you and/or other individuals for the purposes of section 7 of the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 (Vic) (LDCA) and the prevention, monitoring and control of livestock diseases.

The department may disclose personal information collected through the app (including but not limited to name, contact number and address) to the following entities and in the following circumstances:

to any person or body in accordance with section 107B(2), (3)) of the LDCA; and
to the Chief Data Officer (as defined in the Victorian Data Sharing Act 2017 (VDSA)) and other departments and agencies in accordance with the VDSA.

Collection of information about the presence or suspected presence of a disease in livestock, livestock products or hives is required under section 7 of the LDCA. Failure to notify the department of the presence or suspected presence of a disease by providing true and correct information will constitute breach of the LDCA, including section 137A of the LDCA. Pursuant to the LDCA, penalty applies for making a materially false or misleading statement under the LDCA.

This app is a means of communication available to you pursuant to section 7 of the LDCA. If you do not wish to use this app to fulfil your legal obligations under section 7 of the LDCA, you should contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

This app may be used anonymously. However, for some functions, the collection of personal information is necessary or unavoidable. You will know if the department is collecting personal information from you because you will be requested to provide it, except:

When someone else provides the department with your personal information. While DEECA cannot prevent this, you are entitled to request access to and correct any personal information about you collected.
When DEECA collects app usage statistics using an analytics service (see the Notify Now App Usage Measurement section below). This information may qualify as personal information under the PDPA. However, these statistics are not used to identify individual app users.

DEECA will only collect and disclose personal information through the app where it is reasonably necessary for its statutory functions.

Use and disclosure of personal information

If you provide personal information, the department's privacy policy will regulate its use and disclosure.

However, should the department's intended use and disclosure of personal information deviate from the department's general policy, a privacy statement particular to the circumstances will be made available at the time of collection.

Personal information collected by DEECA will only be used for the purpose it was collected or a directly related purpose you would reasonably expect, or as otherwise required or authorised by law.

Access to and correction of personal information

You may request access to any personal information that the department may have collected about you. Also, you may request correction of your personal information if you can establish that it is not accurate, complete or up-to-date.

Requests for access or correction can be made by emailing foi.unit@deeca.vic.gov.au. In some cases, they may be managed under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).

If you have a privacy concern or complaint, please contact the Privacy Officer using the above details.

You may also contact the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC)

Internet user risks

The department does not warrant that the functions contained in the site will be uninterrupted or without error. In addition, the department shall not be responsible for the propagation of computer worms, viruses or other harmful components transmitted from this site and other third-party sites.

The department recommends that you ensure that your browser is equipped with updated virus protection software.

DEECA takes reasonable steps to protect its websites and digital services from unauthorised access, misuse and interference, but users are responsible for maintaining their own device and browser security, including the use of up-to-date antivirus and malware protection software.

Website usage measurement

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (Google). Google Analytics uses cookies, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyse how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.

Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage.

Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google.

You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser — however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

For further information, please visit the Google Privacy Center

We partner with Microsoft Clarity and Microsoft Advertising to capture how you use and interact with our website through behavioural metrics, heatmaps, and session replay to improve and market our products/services. Website usage data is captured using first and third-party cookies and other tracking technologies to determine the popularity of products/services and online activity. Additionally, we use this information for site optimisation, fraud/security purposes, and advertising. For more information about how Microsoft collects and uses your data, visit the Microsoft Privacy Statement.

DEECA uses this analytical data in aggregated form only and does not attempt to identify individuals. Data may be stored outside Victoria, and where this occurs, DEECA ensures protections equivalent to those required under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).

Notify Now app usage measurement

We use third-party Service Providers to monitor and analyse the use of our service and improve the functionality of the app.

This app uses:

DEECA does not use analytics data from this app to identify users. It is used only to monitor functionality and improve service delivery.

Email addresses

Email addresses will only be used to respond to specific user queries and will not be kept or used for any purpose other than stated. Email addresses will not be added to a mailing list or disclosed to any other party without your knowledge or consent.

Emails sent to DEECA addresses are monitored for system security and may be retained in accordance with the Public Records Act 1973 (Vic). If you do not wish email content to be logged or monitored, you may contact DEECA through another method

Cookies

This site uses cookies to make your experience of the site easier and more efficient. A cookie is a small data file placed on your hard drive by the web page server. A cookie cannot retrieve any other data from your hard drive, pass on a computer virus, or capture your email address. Note that the cookie will remain on your computer as a record for future visits to this website.

In using cookies, the department does not record any personal information or collect names or details of commercial transactions. In addition, the department does not use cookies as the basis for direct marketing.

You can configure your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie, providing you with the opportunity to either accept or reject it. You can also refuse all cookies by turning them off in your browser or deleting all cookies from your computer if required.

For more information about how cookies are used across DEECA websites and digital services, refer to DEECA’s Privacy Policy

Page last updated: 28 Oct 2025