Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme

The NSW Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme pilot has been completed.

The NSW Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme pilot helped people who may be at risk of domestic violence to find out if their current or former partner had a history of violent criminal offences. For the evaluation of the pilot, and a summary of the evaluation please see:

• DVDS Evaluation and Crisis Assistance Service Review Final Report
• DVDS Evaluation and Crisis Assistance Service Review Summary

The Scheme was the first of its kind in Australia and one of the NSW Government’s strategies to help reduce domestic violence in NSW.

Consultation

The model of the DVDS was informed through wide public consultation process which included a roundtable and targeted workshops with government and non-government organisations.

Directions for the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Pilot

Directions were made under section 41 of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and section 62 of the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 to permit the collection, withholding, use and disclosure of personal information by NSW public sector agencies and contracted service providers that have an identified role in and for the purpose of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Pilot. This direction was remade on 11 April 2018 and remained in force until the end of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Pilot or the provision and commencement of the required authorities and exemptions by other means, whichever is the earlier.