Letter to Correct Personal Information

A Letter to Correct Personal Information may be used when an individual wants an organisation to correct the information that it is holding about the individual.

This personal information (also referred to as personal data) is information from which a person can be identified. Personal information could include things such as:

• A person's name;
• A person's date of birth;
• A telephone number;
• An email address;
• A postal address;
• Personal bank details;
• An IP address

Many organisations, agencies, bodies or companies hold and process personal information about individuals. Some examples of places that could hold personal data are:

• Healthcare organisations;
• Online shopping websites;
• Individual professionals (such as accountants);
• Educational organisations.

How to Use This Document

This document can be completed by filling out the relevant details to explain the reason for the request and to explain what corrections need to be made.

The relevant details for the individual making the request should be inserted into the document and it can then be sent to the relevant organisation which holds the personal information. The document can be generated in email format or in letter format. Many organisations and bodies offer an email address where requests can be sent to so that these type of requests can be dealt with efficiently.

Under Australian privacy law, an organisation holding someone's personal information must respond to a request from the person to correct their information. The organisation is required to respond within a reasonable time. If the organisation does not respond within a reasonable time (for example, within 30 days), then the sender can follow up with the organisation.

If the sender is not happy with the organisation's response, or if the organisation does not respond at all, then it is possible to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Applicable Law

The Privacy Act 1988 addresses Australian privacy law. This legislation creates the Australian Privacy Principles which form the cornerstone of Australian privacy protection.

Principle 13 deals with situations where organisations are required to correct personal information that they are holding.

Further information and guidance is also available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.