Access policy for Community and Personal Histories

Queensland Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs

Community and Personal Histories' access policy has been developed in consultation with representatives of the Queensland Indigenous community. The purpose of the policy is to facilitate access to records created by the Queensland government about Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, while at the same time protecting the privacy of individuals and families mentioned in these records.

Records created about yourself

Fill out an 'Application for Release of Restricted Personal Information' [PDF 26 kb] form. This form provides Community and Personal Histories with written documentation that you are the person listed in the record. Return this form to Community and Personal Histories.

Copies of records about a person other than yourself AND those records are in the 'closed access' period

You will need written permission from that person. Fill out an 'Application for Release of Restricted Personal Information' [PDF 26 kb] form and ask that person to sign it. This form provides Community and Personal Histories with written proof that you have that person's permission to receive copies of their records.

Copies of records about someone who has passed away AND those records are on 'restricted access'

If you want information about another person who is deceased, you will need permission from that person's adult next-of-kin.

To work out who to ask, go through the list below. You will need written permission from one of the following family members in the following order:

1. the wife or husband of the deceased person 
2. their child 
3. their parent(s) 
4. their brother or sister
5. their grandchild 
6. their grandparent 
7. their aunty or uncle 
8. their niece or nephew 
9. their cousin

If you have any questions about who to contact for permission contact Community and Personal Histories.