Body worn cameras used by public health authorised officers
Body worn cameras (BWCs) are used by Queensland Health public health authorised officers to record video and audio when doing compliance checks, inspections, and enforcement work in the community. These officers are authorised under Queensland public health laws and include environmental health officers and compliance officers working for Queensland Health.
The cameras assist public health authorised officers gather evidence under public health laws. They also help protect the safety and integrity of both the community and officers by creating an accurate record of what happens while performing their duties.
When body worn cameras are used
Public health authorised officers wear these cameras openly on their uniforms during inspections, compliance checks and audits.
They will only be activated when undertaking regulatory activities under public health laws. Their use is carefully considered based on specific settings and circumstances, and they are not always recording. When on standby they can pre-record up to 2 minutes of footage before the normal recording function is activated.
If an authorised officer enters a property to conduct official business they may record their visit. Officers will make reasonable attempts to advise anyone present that recordings are occurring. They do not have to stop recording if a member of the public asks them to.
Recording storage and protection
All BWC recordings are public records under the Public Records Act 2023 and are handled securely.
- Officers upload all footage to a secure, approved digital management system based in Australia.
- All data is encrypted.
- Data can only be accessed by authorised officers within Hospital and Health Service public health units and authorised officers within the Population Health Division.
- Every time someone accesses a video and/or audio recording, the system keeps an audit trail of their identity and activities.
- The original recording can never be edited, changed, or overwritten.
Use of camera footage
Public health authorised officers may use or disclose camera footage to monitor compliance, investigate issues, or prosecute breaches of public health laws. Use or disclosure of footage may be required:
- to legal teams and courts if a matter is taken to court or decision is being formally reviewed
- to State or Federal law enforcement agencies, as allowed under the Information Privacy Act 2009
- in response to official legal notices to produce information, or when required under Right to Information laws.
If footage is shared, authorised officers can blur, edit, or redact copies to protect innocent bystander privacy. The original, unedited file always remains safely archived.
Access to recordings
To request access, submit an application form to the relevant Hospital and Health Service RTI team. Processing fees may apply.
Find out how to access Queensland Health Information.
Privacy and personal information
To learn how we protect your personal information, how to access or correct your own personal information, or how to make a complaint about a breach of the Queensland privacy principles and learn how we deal with such a complaint, read the department’s privacy policy.
Each Hospital and Health Service has its own privacy policy. Find out more about Hospital and Health Services.
Public health laws
BWCs are used by Queensland Health public health authorised officers to gather evidence under the following public health laws.