Why might I receive less information than expected?

Records might not have a lot of information

People often start searching for their records, hoping to find detailed and accurate information.  

Unfortunately, this does not always happen.

People tell us they found that records may have been:

• not created in the first place  
• incomplete or inaccurate
• lost or destroyed
• heavily redacted (when information is hidden). Learn more about redactions. 
  People tell us that receiving their records can bring up a range of emotions. It can be good to have support while you are accessing your records. We have some suggestions about where you might find support. 

If an organisation cannot provide you with copies of your records, they need to tell you. Under the Privacy Act you have the right to know why. 

Past record-keeping was often incomplete

In the past, organisations focused on recording what they needed for day-to-day business purposes.  

People who have received their records have found that some organisations did not focus on keeping a full and accurate record of everything that happened during their time in the guardianship or care of others.

How much information an organisation can provide about you, depends on:

• when you spent time in the guardianship or care of others
• the place, institution, or situation you were in 
• which laws told the organisation how it should create and look after your records
• the personal habits of different staff members writing and keeping records. 

Information can be redacted from your records

Under the Privacy Act, some information may need to be redacted from your records. Redaction means that information has been removed or hidden before you can access it.  

Learn more about redactions.