# Collection, use and disclosure of criminal history information

> act-s501M — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

501M Collection, use and disclosure of criminal history information

               Collection, use and disclosure
          (1) The Minister or an officer of the Department may collect, use, or
              disclose to a person or body, criminal history information for the
              purpose of informing, directly or indirectly, the performance of a
              function or the exercise of a power under this Act or the
              regulations.

               Secondary use and disclosure
          (2) If a person or body receives criminal history information as a result
              of a disclosure under subsection (1), the person or body may
              collect, use, or disclose to a person or body, the information for the
              purpose of providing advice or recommendations, directly or
              indirectly, to the Minister or an officer of the Department on
              matters relating to the performance of a function or the exercise of
              a power under this Act or the regulations.









               Existing prohibitions do not apply
          (3) This section has effect despite:
               (a) any other provision of this Act or the regulations, Division 3
                    of Part VIIC of the Crimes Act 1914, or any other law of the
                    Commonwealth; or
               (b) any law of a State or Territory.

               No limitation on existing powers
          (4) This section does not limit any other powers the Minister or an
              officer of the Department has to collect, use or disclose
              information under this Act, the regulations or any other law of the
              Commonwealth.
               Note:      For example, the Minister or an officer of the Department may also
                          collect, use, or disclose to the government of a foreign country, for
                          certain purposes, criminal history information about certain
                          non-citizens (see section 198AAA).

               Natural justice does not apply
          (5) The rules of natural justice do not apply to an exercise of power
              under this section.