Public Guidelines for Twitter

How the Department of Health and Ageing is using Twitter

In this section:

The Department of Health and Ageing is on Twitter

View our Twitter feeds
@HealthAgeingau
@Yourhealthgovau

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a web-based service used to distribute news and to share and discuss information in the form of short messages called ‘tweets’.

You do not need to register for Twitter to view these tweets. Where a Twitter account is public its tweets can be viewed on the account holder’s profile page.

How is the Department using Twitter?

The Department of Health and Ageing is using Twitter to support the distribution of news, announcements, event updates and to address enquiries.

The Department currently operates two Twitter accounts:

@HealthAgeingau – for general Departmental and health news, event updates, announcements, enquiries and to support emergency communications.
@Yourhealthgovau – for Health Reform and other consultation news, event updates and announcements,

These accounts are managed by the Online and Publications Section at the Department of Health and Ageing, with some support from other business areas.

The Department does not release news and announcements solely via Twitter.

Enquiries are responded to in the same manner and timeframe as phone and email enquiries.

Will you respond to my tweets?

Where possible, Online and Publications will respond to enquiries and direct messages sent via Twitter in the same manner as the Department responds to enquiries via email and phone.

For the purposes of responses, Twitter conversations are considered comparatively informal, similar to a telephone conversation.

For more formal requests or inquiries please email enquiries@health.gov.au.

When are the Department’s Twitter accounts monitored?

The Department actively monitors its Twitter accounts during business hours (Australian Eastern Time). It may be monitored sporadically at other times subject to staff availability.

Will the Department follow me on Twitter?

The Department may choose to follow organisations and individuals involved with, or actively discussing Australian and international health issues.

Individuals and organisations choosing to follow the Department on Twitter may be followed in return.

You may request that the Department stop following you by tweeting a request to following account, emailing a request or by blocking the Department’s account using the block function in Twitter.

You are reminded that Twitter is a public space on the internet and most interactions are publicly viewable and searchable over time.

For more information visit Twitter's help page.

Privacy Statement

The identities and contact details of those following the Department’s Twitter accounts are not recorded unless users choose to voluntarily provide this information. Contact information will only be used for the purpose for which it is provided.

For more details, view the Health website Privacy Statement. Please also note Twitter’s Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer

While the Department endeavors to maintain the currency and accuracy of information published via Twitter, the information is subject to change over time. It is advisable that users ascertain the currency of information immediately prior to use.

The Department of Health and Ageing disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of information provided via this channel.

Links to external websites and Twitter user accounts are provided as a convenience to users and such sites and associated content are not under the control of the Department. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of that website, service or person by the Department. The Department of Health and Ageing is not responsible for the content or reliability of links, or for any loss or inconvenience arising from their use.