Youngman Consultancy provides specialist training for State and Local Government agencies and private sector organisations, offering clear and practical guidance on current GIPA and privacy legislation.

GIPA and Privacy Training Courses

Training is delivered by Phillip Youngman, a recognised specialist in privacy and information access legislation with more than 30 years of experience advising government agencies and organisations.

Phillip spent 43 years with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, including serving as Freedom of Information Officer and Privacy Officer, giving him extensive practical experience in managing GIPA and privacy matters within government.

Youngman Consultancy provides specialist training for State and Local Government agencies and private sector organisations, offering clear and practical guidance on current GIPA and privacy legislation and the responsibilities these laws place on organisations.

The introduction of the NSW Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA) significantly increased the responsibilities placed on government agencies, particularly local councils and state-owned corporations, in managing information access and privacy obligations.

Training is delivered in-house, allowing organisations to ensure that their GIPA and Privacy Officers fully understand the legislation and the processes required to comply with it.

Having trained more than 1,000 participants through GIPA introductory and advanced courses and briefings, eight out of ten attendees surveyed rated the courses 4 or 5 out of 5 for overall content and value.

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Why Organisations Choose Youngman Consultancy Training

Youngman Consultancy training is designed to provide clear, practical guidance on the operation of GIPA and privacy legislation in real working environments.

Training is delivered by a practitioner with decades of experience managing information access and privacy matters within government, ensuring participants gain practical insights into how the legislation operates in practice.

Organisations choose Youngman Consultancy training because it provides:

• Practical, real-world guidance on managing GIPA and privacy obligations

• Clear explanations of legislative requirements and decision-making processes

• Step-by-step understanding of GIPA application handling

• Training delivered by a practitioner with extensive government experience

• Courses that can be tailored to the needs of individual agencies

The aim of the training is to ensure that officers responsible for information access and privacy matters have the knowledge and confidence required to manage applications correctly and comply with legislative requirements.

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One-Day Combined Introductory & Advanced GIPA Course

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and processes associated with the GIPA Act, from the initial enquiry through to the determination of an application.

Participants will gain an understanding of:

• Responsibilities under the GIPA Act

• The full GIPA application process, from initial enquiry through to determination

• The Internal Review process

• What occurs when matters are appealed to the NSW Information Commissioner (IC) or the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)

The course also includes:

• A detailed explanation, using a flowchart/decision-making framework, of the processes associated with GIPA applications

• Examination of issues associated with refusing access on common grounds

• Practical examination of a hypothetical formal GIPA application, including third-party consultation and possible refusal grounds

• Discussion on the validity of third-party claims of “commercial-in-confidence”

Attendees receive:

• 115-page Introductory GIPA Manual

• 320+ page Advanced GIPA Manual

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One-Day Introductory GIPA Course

This course provides a practical introduction to the GIPA Act and its application within organisations.

Participants will gain an understanding of:

• Responsibilities under the GIPA Act

• The processes associated with GIPA applications, from the initial enquiry through to determination

• The Internal Review process

• What occurs when matters are appealed to the NSW Information Commissioner (IC) or the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)

The course also covers:

• The GIPA process using a flowchart/decision tree

• Open access information

• Proactive release requirements

• Informal and formal applications

• Advance deposits

• Third-party consultation

• Refusal processes

Discussion is also included on the validity of third-party claims of “commercial-in-confidence” related to documents or information sought under GIPA.

Attendees receive:

• 115-page Introductory GIPA Manual

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One-Day Advanced GIPA Course

This course is designed for officers who already have experience with GIPA processes and require a more detailed understanding of complex issues.

The course covers:

• Detailed examination of grounds for refusing access

• Processes involved in examining documents subject to a GIPA application

• Advance deposits

• Third-party consultation

• Refusal decisions

Participants will also work through a hypothetical GIPA application scenario, examining:

• Supply of documents

• Third-party consultations

• Potential refusal grounds

Additional topics include:

• The process from receipt of an application through to determination

• Internal Review procedures

• Appeals to the NSW Information Commissioner (IC) or the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)

• Contract reporting requirements under the GIPA Act (if requested)

Attendees receive:

• 320+ page Advanced GIPA Manual

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Privacy Training Course

Youngman Consultancy also provides training on NSW privacy legislation, focusing on the responsibilities organisations have when managing personal information.

Topics include:

• Understanding the Information Protection Principles (IPPs)

• Understanding the Health Privacy Principles (HPPs)

• Application of both NSW Privacy Acts

• The privacy complaint process and how it operates under the legislation

• Review of sample complaint correspondence, from receipt through to finalisation

• Examination of real privacy cases to assess potential breaches of the Privacy Acts

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Training Locations and Delivery

Training courses are typically delivered in-house for government agencies and organisations.

Courses may also be conducted for groups of agencies in:

• Sydney CBD

• Outer Sydney suburbs

• Regional areas (depending on demand)

Youngman Consultancy can also provide tailored briefing sessions designed for specific audiences, including:

• Management teams

• Operational staff

• Industry-specific groups such as local government agencies

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Additional Advisory Support

In addition to training courses and briefing sessions, Youngman Consultancy provides specialist advice and support to assist organisations in addressing individual GIPA applications, privacy matters, or compliance issues.

This may include assistance with:

• Complex GIPA applications

• Privacy complaints or potential breaches

• Review of systems, policies and procedures

• Ensuring compliance with GIPA and privacy legislation

Youngman Consultancy can also provide temporary specialist support, assisting agencies while officers are on leave or until permanent appointments are made.

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Course Enquiries and Bookings

Youngman Consultancy training courses can be delivered in-house for individual agencies or organisations, allowing the content to be tailored to the specific requirements of your staff.

Courses can also be arranged for groups of agencies in metropolitan or regional locations where there is sufficient demand.