Can I request my child's health information?
If you want to request your child's health information from a Health Agency, the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 will apply. Rule 11(5) means that a request for health information by a representative must be treated as though it were an access request made by the person.
Representative has a specific definition in the Code. If the child is under 16, their parent or guardian is automatically considered to be their representative. This means you can request your child’s information directly from the health agency.
However, your right to the information is not absolute. The agency may withhold your child's health information if:
- the agency has reasonable grounds to believe your child does not want their information to be given to you,
- the agency believes it would be contrary to your child's interests for you to have the information, or
- there would be good grounds for withholding the information from your child under Part 4 of the Privacy Act 2020(external link).
Read our blog post about requesting health information.
Updated October 2026