Privacy Law & Lawyers
Privacy Legislation
The Privacy Act 1988 is the main piece of law pertaining to privacy in Australia. The Privacy Act regulates how your personal information is handled. For example, it covers:
- how your personal information is collected (e.g. the personal information you provide when you fill in a form)
- how it is then used and disclosed
- its accuracy
- how securely it is kept
- your general right to access that information.
If you need legal help regarding privacy law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here.
The Privacy Act also covers more specific matters, such as:
- the use of your tax file number
- how credit worthiness information about you is handled by credit reporting agencies and credit providers.
Sensitive Information and Privacy Law
There are certain types of personal information that are especially important to your privacy, such as your health or medical information. This information is classed as 'sensitive information' under the Privacy Act. The Act has particular provisions that require that sensitive information be managed with particular care.
How does the Privacy Act work?
The principles contained in the Privacy Act are not prescriptive. That is, they don't tell agencies and organisations what they must do in each situation.
Rather, they offer principles about the way in which personal information should be handled, and each agency or organisation needs to apply those principles to its own situation.
If an agency or organisation breaches the privacy principles, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) may investigate the matter. Individuals can also make a privacy complaint to us about an agency or organisation if they think their information has been mishandled.
If you believe you have a matter which involves privacy law, please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here, to receive legal help regarding privacy law.
Broadly speaking, privacy lawyers can provide assistance in respect of the following privacy law issues:
- Health
- Credit and finance
- Internet, communications and other technologies
- Direct marketing
- Identity security
- Law enforcement and national security
- Photos and surveillance
- investigations and investigators
- Workplace matters
- Education and child care
- Tenancy and real estate
- Youth matters
If you need legal help regarding privacy law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here.
Privacy Interference
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Please be advised that the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has complaint handling responsibilities under the Privacy Act 1988. Individuals can complain if they believe their privacy has been interfered with by an Australian or ACT government agency, or a private sector organisation covered by the Act. Should you wish to seek legal representation then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left.
If you need legal help regarding privacy law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here.
Links to Further Resources - Privacy Law & Lawyers
News, updates and further information - Privacy Law & Lawyers
On 1 November 2010 the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
The federal Privacy Act does not regulate state or territory agencies, except for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). For information on privacy regulations in the states and territories please refer to the appropriate state or territory section below.
If you need legal help regarding privacy law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here.
Australian Capital Territory
The federal Privacy Act in a slightly amended version applies to Australian Capital Territory government agencies and is administered by the Privacy Commissioner on behalf of the ACT government. The Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 (Health Records Act) covers health records held in the public sector in the ACT and also seeks to apply to acts or practices in the private sector not covered by the Privacy Act. The Health Records Act contains privacy principles based on the federal legislation but modified to suit the requirements of health records. The Human Rights Commission handles health record privacy complaints.
The ACT has also enacted the Human Rights Act 2004 which incorporates a right for an individual not to have their privacy, family, home or correspondence interfered with unlawfully or arbitrarily.
Relevant Australian Capital Territory laws include:
•Privacy Act (1988)
•Australian Capital Territory Government Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 1994
•Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997
•Human Rights Act 2004
•Freedom of Information Act 1989
•Territory Records Act 2002 (public records)
•Human Rights Act 2004 (right to privacy)
•Spent Convictions Act 2000
•Listening Devices Act 1992
Northern Territory
The Information Commissioner for the Northern Territory is the independent authority responsible for overseeing the Freedom of Information (FOI) and privacy provisions of the Northern Territory Information Act 2002 (Information Act).
The Information Act which covers the protection of personal information, record keeping and archive management of information held in the public sector was passed in October 2002 and commenced 1 July 2003. The Information Act incorporates FOI, privacy principles and record and archive management.
Relevant Northern Territory laws include:
•Information Act 2002 (privacy, FOI and public records)
•Criminal Records (Spent Convictions) Act 1992
•Surveillance Devices Act 2007
•Telecommunications (Interception) Northern Territory Act 2001
New South Wales
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) deals with how all New South Wales public sector agencies manage personal information. It also sets out the role of the Office of the New South Wales Privacy Commissioner.
While the PPIP Act applies primarily to the New South Wale public sector, it gives the New South Wales Privacy Commissioner the power to investigate and conciliate privacy breaches by organisations and individuals who are not public sector agencies.
The Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) came into effect on 1 September 2004. It governs the handling of health information in the public sector, and it also seeks to regulate the handling of health information in the private sector in New South Wales. In December 2004 Privacy NSW developed four statutory guidelines under the HRIP Act. These guidelines are legally binding documents that define the scope of particular exemptions in the health privacy principles.
Relevant New South Wales laws include:
•Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998
•Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002
•Freedom of Information Act 1989
•State Records Act 1998
•Criminal Records Act 1991 (Spent Convictions)
•Listening Devices Act 1984
•Workplace Surveillance Act 2005
•Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (New South Wales) Act 1987
•Access to Neighbouring Land Act 2000, esp. s.16 and s.26.
•Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000
If you need legal help regarding privacy law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here.
Queensland
The Information Privacy Act 2009 regulates the handling of personal information by Queensland government agencies. It contains 11 Information Privacy Principles which set out the way that all Queensland government agencies except Queensland Health are to handle personal information. It also contains nine National Privacy Principles which set out the way that Queensland Health is to handle personal information. Note that some provisions of this legislation are yet to commence. For further information, see the Queensland Office of the Information Commissioner’s website.
Before the commencement of the Information Privacy Act 2009, a privacy scheme applied to Queensland government agencies and most statutory government-owned corporations. The regime, based on the federal Information Privacy Principles, included Information Standards and Privacy Guidelines. To ensure a nationally consistent approach between the Queensland public health sector and private health sectors, the scheme required Queensland Health to comply with principles which were the same as the 10 federal NPPs.
The Queensland Health Quality and Complaints Commission provides an enquiry service and a health complaint system, including privacy-related complaints involving the State public health sector.
Other relevant Queensland laws include:
•Right to Information Act 2009
•Public Records Act 2002
•Criminal Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986 (spent convictions)
•Invasion of Privacy Act 1971 (listening devices, invasion of privacy of the home)
•Whistleblowers Protection Act 1994
•Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (Chapter 4 deals with covert evidence-gathering powers)
•Private Employment Agents (Code of Conduct) Regulation 2005 (provisions 14 and 15 deal with work seekers' information and the need to ensure it is not disclosed or improperly used).
Relevant Queensland case law
•Grosse v Purvis [2003] QDC 151 (16 June 2003).
South Australia
South Australia has issued an administrative instruction requiring its government agencies to generally comply with a set of Information Privacy Principles and has established a privacy committee.
South Australia also has a Code of Fair Information Practice based on the National Privacy Principles. This Code applies to the South Australian Department of Health and its funded service providers and to others with access to the Department’s personal information.
Relevant South Australian laws include:
•Freedom of Information Act 1991
•State Records Act 1997
•Listening and Surveillance Devices Act 1972
•Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1988
Tasmania
In 1997 Tasmania issued Information Privacy Principles based on the federal Privacy Act and recommended the principles to Tasmanian government agencies. These Information Privacy Principles have been superseded by the Personal Information and Protection Act 2004 which came into effect on 5 September 2005. It applies to the public and local government sectors and the University of Tasmania. The Act is administered by the Department of Justice and complaints may be made to the Tasmanian Ombudsman. General information on the Act is hosted on the Department of Premier and Cabinet web site.
Relevant Tasmanian laws include:
•Personal Information Protection Act 2004
•Freedom of Information Act 1991
•Archives Act 1983
•Annulled Convictions Act 2003 (spent convictions)
•Listening Devices Act 1991
•Telecommunications (Interception) Tasmania Act 1999
Victoria
The Victorian Information Privacy Act 2000 (VIP Act) came into effect on 1 September 2002. The VIP Act covers the handling of all personal information except health information in the public sector in Victoria. This Act adopts ten Information Privacy Principles which are similar to the NPPs set out in the federal Privacy Act. The Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner has more information.
The Victorian Health Records Act 2001 (Health Records Act) came into effect from 1 July 2002. This Act covers the handling of all personal information held by health service providers in the State public sector and also seeks to govern acts or practices in the Victorian private health sector. The Health Records Act contains a set of principles adapted from the National Privacy Principles. The Office of the Health Services Commissioner provides more information.
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 commenced on 1 January 2007 and became fully operational on 1 January 2008. The Charter incorporates a general right to privacy for individuals in addition to other rights, and is administered by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Relevant Victorian laws include:
•Information Privacy Act 2000
•Health Records Act 2000
•Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
•Freedom of Information Act 1982
•Public Records Act 1973
•Surveillance Devices Act 1999
•Telecommunications (Interception) (State Provisions) Act 1988
Relevant Victorian case law:
•Jane Doe v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2007] VCC 281 (3 April 2007)
Western Australia
The State public sector in Western Australia does not currently have a legislative privacy regime. Various confidentiality provisions cover government agencies and some of the privacy principles are provided for in the Freedom of Information Act 1992. On 28 March 2007 the Information Privacy Bill 2007 was introduced to the WA Parliament.
If enacted, it will establish a set of Information Privacy Principles and regulate the handling of personal information by the public sector and the handling of health information by the public and private sectors. It will also establish an Information and Privacy Commissioner (encompassing the current Information Commissioner) and provide for that Office to be amalgamated with the Office of the Western Australian Ombudsman.
Relevant Western Australian laws include:
•Freedom of Information Act 1992
•Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Act 1995
•State Records Act 2000
•Spent Convictions Act 1988
•Surveillance Devices Act 1998
•Telecommunications (Interception) Western Australia Act 1996
The eleven Information Privacy Principlesas extracted from Section 14 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth):
Principle 1 - Manner and purpose of collection of personal information
1. Personal information shall not be collected by a collector for inclusion in a record or in a generally available publication unless:
(a) the information is collected for a purpose that is a lawful purpose directly related to a function or activity of the collector; and
(b) the collection of the information is necessary for or directly related to that purpose.
2. Personal information shall not be collected by a collector by unlawful or unfair means.
Principle 2 - Solicitation of personal information from individual concerned
Where:
(a) a collector collects personal information for inclusion in a record or in a generally available publication; and
(b) the information is solicited by the collector from the individual concerned;
the collector shall take such steps (if any) as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that, before the information is collected or, if that is not practicable, as soon as practicable after the information is collected, the individual concerned is generally aware of:
(c) the purpose for which the information is being collected;
(d) if the collection of the information is authorised or required by or under law - the fact that the collection of the information is so authorised or required; and
(e) any person to whom, or any body or agency to which, it is the collector's usual practice to disclose personal information of the kind so collected, and (if known by the collector) any person to whom, or any body or agency to which, it is the usual practice of that first mentioned person, body or agency to pass on that information.
Principle 3 - Solicitation of personal information generally
Where:
(a) a collector collects personal information for inclusion in a record or in a generally available publication; and
(b) the information is solicited by the collector:
the collector shall take such steps (if any) as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that, having regard to the purpose for which the information is collected:
(c) the information collected is relevant to that purpose and is up to date and complete; and
(d) the collection of the information does not intrude to an unreasonable extent upon the personal affairs of the individual concerned.
Principle 4 - Storage and security of personal information
A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall ensure:
(a) that the record is protected, by such security safeguards as it is reasonable in the circumstances to take, against loss, against unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure, and against other misuse; and
(b) that if it is necessary for the record to be given to a person in connection with the provision of a service to the record-keeper, everything reasonably within the power of the record-keeper is done to prevent unauthorised use or disclosure of information contained in the record.
Principle 5 - Information relating to records kept by record-keeper
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of records that contain personal information shall, subject to clause 2 of this Principle, take such steps as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to enable any person to ascertain:
(a) whether the record-keeper has possession or control of any records that contain personal information; and
(b) if the record-keeper has possession or control of a record that contains such information:
(i) the nature of that information;
(ii) the main purposes for which that information is used; and
(iii) the steps that the person should take if the person wishes to obtain access to the record.
2. A record-keeper is not required under clause 1 of this Principle to give a person information if the record-keeper is required or authorised to refuse to give that information to the person under the applicable provisions of any law of the Commonwealth that provides for access by persons to documents.
3. A record-keeper shall maintain a record setting out:
(a) the nature of the records of personal information kept by or on behalf of the record-keeper;
(b) the purpose for which each type of record is kept;
(c) the classes of individuals about whom records are kept;
(d) the period for which each type of record is kept;
(e) the persons who are entitled to have access to personal information contained in the records and the conditions under which they are entitled to have that access; and
(f) the steps that should be taken by persons wishing to obtain access to that information.
4. A record-keeper shall:
(a) make the record maintained under clause 3 of this Principle available for inspection by members of the public; and
(b) give the Commissioner, in the month of June in each year, a copy of the record so maintained.
Principle 6 - Access to records containing personal information
Where a record-keeper has possession or control of a record that contains personal information, the individual concerned shall be entitled to have access to that record, except to the extent that the record-keeper is required or authorised to refuse to provide the individual with access to that record under the applicable provisions of any law of the Commonwealth that provides for access by persons to documents.
Principle 7 - Alteration of records containing personal information
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall take such steps (if any), by way of making appropriate corrections, deletions and additions as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that the record:
(a) is accurate; and
(b) is, having regard to the purpose for which the information was collected or is to be used and to any purpose that is directly related to that purpose, relevant, up to date, complete and not misleading.
2. The obligation imposed on a record-keeper by clause 1 is subject to any applicable limitation in a law of the Commonwealth that provides a right to require the correction or amendment of documents.
3. Where:
(a) the record-keeper of a record containing personal information is not willing to amend that record, by making a correction, deletion or addition, in accordance with a request by the individual concerned; and
(b) no decision or recommendation to the effect that the record should be amended wholly or partly in accordance with that request has been made under the applicable provisions of a law of the Commonwealth;
the record-keeper shall, if so requested by the individual concerned, take such steps (if any) as are reasonable in the circumstances to attach to the record any statement provided by that individual of the correction, deletion or addition sought.
Principle 8 - Record-keeper to check accuracy etc of personal information before use
A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall not use that information without taking such steps (if any) as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that, having regard to the purpose for which the information is proposed to be used, the information is accurate, up to date and complete.
Principle 9 - Personal information to be used only for relevant purposes
A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall not use the information except for a purpose to which the information is relevant.
Principle 10 - Limits on use of personal information
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information that was obtained for a particular purpose shall not use the information for any other purpose unless:
(a) the individual concerned has consented to use of the information for that other purpose;
(b) the record-keeper believes on reasonable grounds that use of the information for that other purpose is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of the individual concerned or another person;
(c) use of the information for that other purpose is required or authorised by or under law;
(d) use of the information for that other purpose is reasonably necessary for enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue; or
(e) the purpose for which the information is used is directly related to the purpose for which the information was obtained.
2. Where personal information is used for enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue, the record-keeper shall include in the record containing that information a note of that use.
Principle 11 - Limits on disclosure of personal information
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall not disclose the information to a person, body or agency (other than the individual concerned) unless:
(a) the individual concerned is reasonably likely to have been aware, or made aware under Principle 2, that information of that kind is usually passed to that person, body or agency;
(b) the individual concerned has consented to the disclosure;
(c) the record-keeper believes on reasonable grounds that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of the individual concerned or of another person;
(d) the disclosure is required or authorised by or under law; or
(e) the disclosure is reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue.
2. Where personal information is disclosed for the purposes of enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the purpose of the protection of the public revenue, the record-keeper shall include in the record containing that information a note of the disclosure.
3. A person, body or agency to whom personal information is disclosed under clause 1 of this Principle shall not use or disclose the information for a purpose other than the purpose for which the information was given to the person, body or agency.
If you need legal advice regarding Privacy Law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, and we will put you in touch with a Privacy Law lawyer nearest you, who can help you with Privacy Law.
Our free legal enquiry service for Privacy Law extends to all suburbs throughout Australia.
News, updates and further information - Privacy Law & Lawyers
On 1 November 2010 the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
The federal Privacy Act does not regulate state or territory agencies, except for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). For information on privacy regulations in the states and territories please refer to the appropriate state or territory section below.
If you need legal help regarding privacy law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here.
Australian Capital Territory
The federal Privacy Act in a slightly amended version applies to Australian Capital Territory government agencies and is administered by the Privacy Commissioner on behalf of the ACT government. The Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 (Health Records Act) covers health records held in the public sector in the ACT and also seeks to apply to acts or practices in the private sector not covered by the Privacy Act. The Health Records Act contains privacy principles based on the federal legislation but modified to suit the requirements of health records. The Human Rights Commission handles health record privacy complaints.
The ACT has also enacted the Human Rights Act 2004 which incorporates a right for an individual not to have their privacy, family, home or correspondence interfered with unlawfully or arbitrarily.
Relevant Australian Capital Territory laws include:
•Privacy Act (1988)
•Australian Capital Territory Government Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 1994
•Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997
•Human Rights Act 2004
•Freedom of Information Act 1989
•Territory Records Act 2002 (public records)
•Human Rights Act 2004 (right to privacy)
•Spent Convictions Act 2000
•Listening Devices Act 1992
Northern Territory
The Information Commissioner for the Northern Territory is the independent authority responsible for overseeing the Freedom of Information (FOI) and privacy provisions of the Northern Territory Information Act 2002 (Information Act).
The Information Act which covers the protection of personal information, record keeping and archive management of information held in the public sector was passed in October 2002 and commenced 1 July 2003. The Information Act incorporates FOI, privacy principles and record and archive management.
Relevant Northern Territory laws include:
•Information Act 2002 (privacy, FOI and public records)
•Criminal Records (Spent Convictions) Act 1992
•Surveillance Devices Act 2007
•Telecommunications (Interception) Northern Territory Act 2001
New South Wales
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) deals with how all New South Wales public sector agencies manage personal information. It also sets out the role of the Office of the New South Wales Privacy Commissioner.
While the PPIP Act applies primarily to the New South Wale public sector, it gives the New South Wales Privacy Commissioner the power to investigate and conciliate privacy breaches by organisations and individuals who are not public sector agencies.
The Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) came into effect on 1 September 2004. It governs the handling of health information in the public sector, and it also seeks to regulate the handling of health information in the private sector in New South Wales. In December 2004 Privacy NSW developed four statutory guidelines under the HRIP Act. These guidelines are legally binding documents that define the scope of particular exemptions in the health privacy principles.
Relevant New South Wales laws include:
•Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998
•Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002
•Freedom of Information Act 1989
•State Records Act 1998
•Criminal Records Act 1991 (Spent Convictions)
•Listening Devices Act 1984
•Workplace Surveillance Act 2005
•Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (New South Wales) Act 1987
•Access to Neighbouring Land Act 2000, esp. s.16 and s.26.
•Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Act 2000
If you need legal help regarding privacy law, then please complete your free legal enquiry form on the left, or click here.
Queensland
The Information Privacy Act 2009 regulates the handling of personal information by Queensland government agencies. It contains 11 Information Privacy Principles which set out the way that all Queensland government agencies except Queensland Health are to handle personal information. It also contains nine National Privacy Principles which set out the way that Queensland Health is to handle personal information. Note that some provisions of this legislation are yet to commence. For further information, see the Queensland Office of the Information Commissioner’s website.
Before the commencement of the Information Privacy Act 2009, a privacy scheme applied to Queensland government agencies and most statutory government-owned corporations. The regime, based on the federal Information Privacy Principles, included Information Standards and Privacy Guidelines. To ensure a nationally consistent approach between the Queensland public health sector and private health sectors, the scheme required Queensland Health to comply with principles which were the same as the 10 federal NPPs.
The Queensland Health Quality and Complaints Commission provides an enquiry service and a health complaint system, including privacy-related complaints involving the State public health sector.
Other relevant Queensland laws include:
•Right to Information Act 2009
•Public Records Act 2002
•Criminal Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986 (spent convictions)
•Invasion of Privacy Act 1971 (listening devices, invasion of privacy of the home)
•Whistleblowers Protection Act 1994
•Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 (Chapter 4 deals with covert evidence-gathering powers)
•Private Employment Agents (Code of Conduct) Regulation 2005 (provisions 14 and 15 deal with work seekers' information and the need to ensure it is not disclosed or improperly used).
Relevant Queensland case law
•Grosse v Purvis [2003] QDC 151 (16 June 2003).
South Australia
South Australia has issued an administrative instruction requiring its government agencies to generally comply with a set of Information Privacy Principles and has established a privacy committee.
South Australia also has a Code of Fair Information Practice based on the National Privacy Principles. This Code applies to the South Australian Department of Health and its funded service providers and to others with access to the Department’s personal information.
Relevant South Australian laws include:
•Freedom of Information Act 1991
•State Records Act 1997
•Listening and Surveillance Devices Act 1972
•Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1988
Tasmania
In 1997 Tasmania issued Information Privacy Principles based on the federal Privacy Act and recommended the principles to Tasmanian government agencies. These Information Privacy Principles have been superseded by the Personal Information and Protection Act 2004 which came into effect on 5 September 2005. It applies to the public and local government sectors and the University of Tasmania. The Act is administered by the Department of Justice and complaints may be made to the Tasmanian Ombudsman. General information on the Act is hosted on the Department of Premier and Cabinet web site.
Relevant Tasmanian laws include:
•Personal Information Protection Act 2004
•Freedom of Information Act 1991
•Archives Act 1983
•Annulled Convictions Act 2003 (spent convictions)
•Listening Devices Act 1991
•Telecommunications (Interception) Tasmania Act 1999
Victoria
The Victorian Information Privacy Act 2000 (VIP Act) came into effect on 1 September 2002. The VIP Act covers the handling of all personal information except health information in the public sector in Victoria. This Act adopts ten Information Privacy Principles which are similar to the NPPs set out in the federal Privacy Act. The Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner has more information.
The Victorian Health Records Act 2001 (Health Records Act) came into effect from 1 July 2002. This Act covers the handling of all personal information held by health service providers in the State public sector and also seeks to govern acts or practices in the Victorian private health sector. The Health Records Act contains a set of principles adapted from the National Privacy Principles. The Office of the Health Services Commissioner provides more information.
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 commenced on 1 January 2007 and became fully operational on 1 January 2008. The Charter incorporates a general right to privacy for individuals in addition to other rights, and is administered by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Relevant Victorian laws include:
•Information Privacy Act 2000
•Health Records Act 2000
•Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
•Freedom of Information Act 1982
•Public Records Act 1973
•Surveillance Devices Act 1999
•Telecommunications (Interception) (State Provisions) Act 1988
Relevant Victorian case law:
•Jane Doe v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2007] VCC 281 (3 April 2007)
Western Australia
The State public sector in Western Australia does not currently have a legislative privacy regime. Various confidentiality provisions cover government agencies and some of the privacy principles are provided for in the Freedom of Information Act 1992. On 28 March 2007 the Information Privacy Bill 2007 was introduced to the WA Parliament.
If enacted, it will establish a set of Information Privacy Principles and regulate the handling of personal information by the public sector and the handling of health information by the public and private sectors. It will also establish an Information and Privacy Commissioner (encompassing the current Information Commissioner) and provide for that Office to be amalgamated with the Office of the Western Australian Ombudsman.
Relevant Western Australian laws include:
•Freedom of Information Act 1992
•Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Act 1995
•State Records Act 2000
•Spent Convictions Act 1988
•Surveillance Devices Act 1998
•Telecommunications (Interception) Western Australia Act 1996
The eleven Information Privacy Principlesas extracted from Section 14 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth):
Principle 1 - Manner and purpose of collection of personal information
1. Personal information shall not be collected by a collector for inclusion in a record or in a generally available publication unless:
(a) the information is collected for a purpose that is a lawful purpose directly related to a function or activity of the collector; and
(b) the collection of the information is necessary for or directly related to that purpose.
2. Personal information shall not be collected by a collector by unlawful or unfair means.
Principle 2 - Solicitation of personal information from individual concerned
Where:
(a) a collector collects personal information for inclusion in a record or in a generally available publication; and
(b) the information is solicited by the collector from the individual concerned;
the collector shall take such steps (if any) as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that, before the information is collected or, if that is not practicable, as soon as practicable after the information is collected, the individual concerned is generally aware of:
(c) the purpose for which the information is being collected;
(d) if the collection of the information is authorised or required by or under law - the fact that the collection of the information is so authorised or required; and
(e) any person to whom, or any body or agency to which, it is the collector's usual practice to disclose personal information of the kind so collected, and (if known by the collector) any person to whom, or any body or agency to which, it is the usual practice of that first mentioned person, body or agency to pass on that information.
Principle 3 - Solicitation of personal information generally
Where:
(a) a collector collects personal information for inclusion in a record or in a generally available publication; and
(b) the information is solicited by the collector:
the collector shall take such steps (if any) as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that, having regard to the purpose for which the information is collected:
(c) the information collected is relevant to that purpose and is up to date and complete; and
(d) the collection of the information does not intrude to an unreasonable extent upon the personal affairs of the individual concerned.
Principle 4 - Storage and security of personal information
A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall ensure:
(a) that the record is protected, by such security safeguards as it is reasonable in the circumstances to take, against loss, against unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure, and against other misuse; and
(b) that if it is necessary for the record to be given to a person in connection with the provision of a service to the record-keeper, everything reasonably within the power of the record-keeper is done to prevent unauthorised use or disclosure of information contained in the record.
Principle 5 - Information relating to records kept by record-keeper
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of records that contain personal information shall, subject to clause 2 of this Principle, take such steps as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to enable any person to ascertain:
(a) whether the record-keeper has possession or control of any records that contain personal information; and
(b) if the record-keeper has possession or control of a record that contains such information:
(i) the nature of that information;
(ii) the main purposes for which that information is used; and
(iii) the steps that the person should take if the person wishes to obtain access to the record.
2. A record-keeper is not required under clause 1 of this Principle to give a person information if the record-keeper is required or authorised to refuse to give that information to the person under the applicable provisions of any law of the Commonwealth that provides for access by persons to documents.
3. A record-keeper shall maintain a record setting out:
(a) the nature of the records of personal information kept by or on behalf of the record-keeper;
(b) the purpose for which each type of record is kept;
(c) the classes of individuals about whom records are kept;
(d) the period for which each type of record is kept;
(e) the persons who are entitled to have access to personal information contained in the records and the conditions under which they are entitled to have that access; and
(f) the steps that should be taken by persons wishing to obtain access to that information.
4. A record-keeper shall:
(a) make the record maintained under clause 3 of this Principle available for inspection by members of the public; and
(b) give the Commissioner, in the month of June in each year, a copy of the record so maintained.
Principle 6 - Access to records containing personal information
Where a record-keeper has possession or control of a record that contains personal information, the individual concerned shall be entitled to have access to that record, except to the extent that the record-keeper is required or authorised to refuse to provide the individual with access to that record under the applicable provisions of any law of the Commonwealth that provides for access by persons to documents.
Principle 7 - Alteration of records containing personal information
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall take such steps (if any), by way of making appropriate corrections, deletions and additions as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that the record:
(a) is accurate; and
(b) is, having regard to the purpose for which the information was collected or is to be used and to any purpose that is directly related to that purpose, relevant, up to date, complete and not misleading.
2. The obligation imposed on a record-keeper by clause 1 is subject to any applicable limitation in a law of the Commonwealth that provides a right to require the correction or amendment of documents.
3. Where:
(a) the record-keeper of a record containing personal information is not willing to amend that record, by making a correction, deletion or addition, in accordance with a request by the individual concerned; and
(b) no decision or recommendation to the effect that the record should be amended wholly or partly in accordance with that request has been made under the applicable provisions of a law of the Commonwealth;
the record-keeper shall, if so requested by the individual concerned, take such steps (if any) as are reasonable in the circumstances to attach to the record any statement provided by that individual of the correction, deletion or addition sought.
Principle 8 - Record-keeper to check accuracy etc of personal information before use
A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall not use that information without taking such steps (if any) as are, in the circumstances, reasonable to ensure that, having regard to the purpose for which the information is proposed to be used, the information is accurate, up to date and complete.
Principle 9 - Personal information to be used only for relevant purposes
A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall not use the information except for a purpose to which the information is relevant.
Principle 10 - Limits on use of personal information
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information that was obtained for a particular purpose shall not use the information for any other purpose unless:
(a) the individual concerned has consented to use of the information for that other purpose;
(b) the record-keeper believes on reasonable grounds that use of the information for that other purpose is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of the individual concerned or another person;
(c) use of the information for that other purpose is required or authorised by or under law;
(d) use of the information for that other purpose is reasonably necessary for enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue; or
(e) the purpose for which the information is used is directly related to the purpose for which the information was obtained.
2. Where personal information is used for enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue, the record-keeper shall include in the record containing that information a note of that use.
Principle 11 - Limits on disclosure of personal information
1. A record-keeper who has possession or control of a record that contains personal information shall not disclose the information to a person, body or agency (other than the individual concerned) unless:
(a) the individual concerned is reasonably likely to have been aware, or made aware under Principle 2, that information of that kind is usually passed to that person, body or agency;
(b) the individual concerned has consented to the disclosure;
(c) the record-keeper believes on reasonable grounds that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of the individual concerned or of another person;
(d) the disclosure is required or authorised by or under law; or
(e) the disclosure is reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue.
2. Where personal information is disclosed for the purposes of enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the purpose of the protection of the public revenue, the record-keeper shall include in the record containing that information a note of the disclosure.
3. A person, body or agency to whom personal information is disclosed under clause 1 of this Principle shall not use or disclose the information for a purpose other than the purpose for which the information was given to the person, body or agency.
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The OAIC will launch a new website this week.
The web address for the OAIC website will not change. This is the final RSS feed from the existing OAIC website. Most pages on the new OAIC website will include a RSS feed. You will need to resubscribe to these RSS feeds to continue to be notified of changes to the OAIC website.
28 May 2013: Media release: Australians better protected with mandatory data breach notification
Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has welcomed the mandatory data breach notification laws announced by Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP today. The proposed laws commence on 12 March 2014 and require notification of serious data breaches that will result in a real risk of serious harm.
22 May 2013: Media release: Australia to join the global Open Government Partnership
Australian Information Commissioner has welcomed the announcement today by the Attorney-General that Australia will join the Open Government Partnership
20 May 2013: Statement: Telstra data breach
Statement from Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim
20 May 2013: Media release: Take time to protect your privacy during Cyber Security Awareness Week
9 May 2013: OAIC submission to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority on the Draft Prudential Practice Guide - Managing Data Risk (PPG 235)
8 May 2013: Media release: Do your favourite websites pass the privacy test?
The OAIC will this week conduct an internet sweep of the websites most used by Australians.
3 May 2013: Media release: Privacy a year round commitment
Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim is reminding business and government agencies to focus on privacy all year
2 May 2013: Several recent OAIC submissions published
1. Senate Inquiry into Military Compensation legislation. 2. App purchases by Australian consumers on mobile and handheld devices Submission to the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council
2 May 2013: Media release: Know your rights under new privacy laws
29 April 2013: Media release: Information security is now the major issue affecting consumer privacy
Media release about the launch of the OAIC's new Guide to Information Security: 'Reasonable steps' to protect personal information
26 April 2013: Media release: Privacy Awareness Week 2013 Get in on the Act
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is gearing up for its biggest Privacy Awareness Week yet. Kicking off on 29 April, the OAIC is focussing on privacy law reform as the theme for this year's campaign.
22 April 2013: Consultation draft of Mobile Privacy: A better practice guide for mobile app developers - comments period extended to 13 May 2013
The comments period has been extended until 13 May.
22 April 2013: OAIC careers - EL1 and APS6 positions in the Regulation and Strategy Branch
Applications close 6 May.
16 April 2013: Privacy law reform APP-NPP and APP-IPP comparison guides released
These guides provide a comprehensive analysis of the differences between the APPs and the NPPs and IPPs.
9 April 2013: Consultation: De-identification agency and business resources
The OAIC is seeking comment on consultation drafts of two resources it has developed to provide guidance to agencies, businesses and researchers about why, when and how to de-identify data and information. Comments due by Tuesday 23 April.
5 April 2013: Statement: Draft Credit Reporting Code of Conduct - public consultation by Australasian Retail Credit Association
Statement about an external organisation's consultation on credit reporting code
4 April 2013: Consultation draft of Mobile Privacy: A better practice guide for mobile app developers released
The OAIC has developed this guide to help mobile device application (app) developers embed better privacy practices in their products and services. Comments on the draft are due by Wednesday 17 April 2013.
28 March 2013: FOI guidelines - Parts 2-6, 8 and 10 updated
Note you may need to refresh your screen to see the revised Parts.
19 March 2013: OAIC careers - Two Assistant Commissioners SES Band 1 for Dispute Resolution and Regulation and Strategy Branches - close 4 April
These are outstanding opportunities for experienced professionals with a sound understanding of the Australian Government's information policy, freedom of information and privacy legislation to help shape the future strategic direction of the operation of the OAIC.
11 March 2013: Consultation draft of Guidelines for developing (privacy) codes released
The OAIC is seeking comment on a consultation draft of Guidelines for developing (privacy) codes. The purpose of the Guidelines is to assist organisations and agencies to decide whether it is appropriate for them to develop a code, to clarify when the Commissioner will request the development of a code or when the Commissioner will develop a code on his or her own initiative and to outline the matters that will need to be addressed in the development and registration of a code and in relation to reviewing, varying and removing registered codes. Comments on the draft are due by Friday 12 April 2013.
4 March 2013: Speech - Open public sector information: from principles to practice
Presentation by Australian Information Commissioner John McMillan to 'Opening government data in Australia' seminar convened by NICTA, Canberra 22 February 2013.
27 February 2013: OAIC supplementary submission to the review of freedom of information legislation
Supplementary submission to the review by Dr Allan Hawke of the Freedom of Information Act and Australian Information Commissioner Act.
27 February 2013: OAIC submission on ASIC review of the effectiveness of an online database for small amount lenders
Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, makes recommendations to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission's review of the effectiveness of an online database for small amount lenders.
22 February 2013: Media release: Agencies opening up to the opportunities of public sector information
Australian Information Commissioner, Professor John McMillan, today launched a report Open public sector information: from principles to practice.
22 February 2013: Report: Open public sector information: from principles to practice
The report details the results of a survey conducted by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on how 191 Australian Government agencies are managing public sector information. The survey was structured around the eight Principles on open public sector information published by the OAIC in 2011.
11 February 2013: Workplace Privacy Act 2011 (ACT) review - Submission to ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Comments from the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, on the issues raised by the ACT Government's review of the Workplace Privacy Act 2011 (ACT).
5 February 2013: International mobile roaming: proposed standard - Submission to the Australian Communications and Media Authority
Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has made recommendations on the proposed Telecommunications (International Mobile Roaming) Industry Standard 2013 being considered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
29 January 2013: Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 - Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
25 January 2013: Statement by Australian Privacy Commissioner: Sony PlayStation Network
25 January 2013: FOI Guidelines: Parts 1,3,9,10,13 and 14 updated
Note you may need to refresh your screen to see the revised Parts. There is also a separate statement, linked from the version table, in relation to the Part 3 amendment that clarifies that a request may be made by one person on behalf of another person or group, or by an organisation (such as a law firm or non-government organisation) on behalf of a client or member.
25 January 2013: Media release: Australian Privacy Commissioner: 2013 a big year for privacy
Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim is advising Australians that 2013 is shaping up to be the biggest year for privacy in over 20 years. In recognition of Data Privacy Day, held on 28 January 2013, Mr Pilgrim is reminding Australians to take steps to protect their privacy and control their digital footprint.
23 January 2013: Privacy law reform frequently asked questions answered on credit repayment history information
Repayment history information is one of the new types of credit-related personal information that credit providers will be permitted to disclose to credit reporting bodies from 12 March 2014. Information about whether an individual has made or missed a consumer credit payment since December 2012 will be able to be disclosed in March 2014. These FAQs assist credit providers in relation to current notification requirements to individuals in relation to repayment history information.
23 January 2013: National Document Verification Service - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Audit Report 2012
An audit report on how the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade manages document verification requests under the National Document Verification Service including its collection, use, disclosure and security processes in relation to personal information.
22 January 2013: OAIC quarterly statistics Oct-Dec 2012
Second quarter OAIC stats published
18 January 2013: OAIC submission re Microsoft blogpost on Notice and Consent in a World of Big Data
16 January 2013: OAIC quarterly statistics first release July-Sept 2012
8 January 2013. Department of Immigration and Citizenship responds to Office of the Australian Information Commissioner report into FOI processing delays. .
On 26 September 2012, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) released an investigation report into delays in processing non-routine freedom of information (FOI) requests in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). On 24 December 2012, DIAC provided the OAIC with a response to the report. The OAIC is currently considering DIACs response.
Privacy law reform: Privacy Commisioner requests Australian Retail Credit Association to develop credit reporting code
On 20 December 2012 the Privacy Commissioner, Mr Timothy Pilgrim, excercised this power and made a request to the Australian Retail Credit Association (ARCA). ARCA will have 120 days to develop a CR code and apply to the Commissioner to have that code registered.
17 December: Submission - Review of freedom of information legislation
The OAIC made a submission to the review of freedom of information legislation being conducted by Dr Allan Hawke AC and made a number of recommendations to improve both the Freedom of Information and Australian Information Commissioner Acts.
17 December: Correspondence - Changes to Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and Data Use Policy
Correspondence from the OAIC to Facebook about these changes.
13 December: Media release: Privacy Commissioner Pay your bills to avoid new year credit defaults
The Privacy Commissioner is urging Australians to be aware that if they dont pay their credit card bills and loans on time, it may impact on their ability to get credit in the future. Recent reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) that received Royal Assent today mean that credit reporting agencies will soon be allowed to collect new kinds of credit-related personal information.
13 December: Privacy fact sheet 16: Credit reporting - repayment history information
As part of the reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), new kinds of credit-related personal information can be collected about you. This includes whether you have made or missed a consumer credit payment. This new type of information is called repayment history information.
11 December: Submission to the National Health and Medical Research Council on Using the National Statement: Ethical Review of Quality Improvement Activities in Health Services
See submission
6 December: Consultation on a Guide to Information Security: Reasonable steps to protect personal information
Comments due by 7 January. The guide is intended for entities, including Australian, ACT and Norfolk Island Government agencies, and private sector organisations that are covered by the Privacy Act. It is also relevant to credit reporting agencies, credit providers and tax file number recipients.
5 December Speech: Thirty Years of the FOI Act Service, Overhaul or Refit?
Address by Prof John McMillan, Australian Information Commissioner, to the Australian Corporate Lawyers seminar, Canberra, 29 November 2012
3 December: Submission to Attorney General's Department on the Discussion Paper Australian Privacy Breach Notification
The OAIC supports the introduction of mandatory data breach notification legislation, as current voluntary data breach notification arrangements are insufficient.
3 December Speech: Effective Information Management the Keystone of Good Government
Presentation by Prof John McMillan, Australian Information Commissioner, to the 10th World Conference of the International Ombudsman Institute, Wellington, New Zealand, 15 November 2012
29 November: Privacy law reform - new OAIC webpage
A new webpage has been created on the OAIC website to provide information about the Privacy Act changes that passed through the Australian Parliament today. As further information materials are developed by the OAIC they will be linked from this page.
29 November Media release: Biggest changes to the Privacy Act in over 20 years passed today
The Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012, passed Parliament today, and is due to come into effect in March 2014. The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, says the new laws are an important milestone for privacy in Australia. He is confident the reforms will enhance the protection of peoples personal information.
26 November Media release: 30 years of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 Office of the Australian Information Commissioner celebrates
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), will host an event tomorrow morning in Canberra to mark 30 years of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). Event program: http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/events/2012_anniversary_program.html Videos to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the FOI Act: www.youtube.com/OAICgov Media welcome to attend this event. Media contact: Ms Leila Daniels 0407 663 968 or media@oaic.gov.au
19 November - New OAIC video - What types of FOI requests do Australian Government agencies receive? (on YouTube)
New OAIC video published on YouTube
15 November - Submission: National Gambling Reform Bill 2012
Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform on the National Gambling Reform Bill, suggesting consideration should be given to the effectiveness of its privacy safeguards and how the Privacy Act will apply to personal information being handled under the Bill.
14 November - Media statement - Correspondence with Microsoft
Copies of correspondence between the Privacy Commissioner and Microsoft regarding changes to the Microsoft Service Agreement are now available.
13 November - OAIC 30th anniversary program now available
The program for the OAIC's 30th anniversary of the FOI Act event on 27 November at the National Portrait Gallery is now available. Registrations close 15 November.
12 November - New OAIC video - Top tips for your FOI request (on YouTube).
New OAIC video published on YouTube 'Top tips for your FOI request'.
12 November - Minutes from Information Advisory Committee meeting
Minutes from the Information Advisory Committee meeting held on 30 July 2012 are now available.
12 November - Submission on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Requirements for authorisation, notifications and revocations) Amendment Determination
Submission to the Attorney-General on the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) (Requirements for Authorisation, Notifications and Revocations) Amendment Determination 2012.
12 November - Submission on the proposed determination under section 183(2) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act
Submission to the Attorney-General on the proposed determination under s 183(2) of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979.
9 November - 34th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners: Resolutions
Resolutions adopted at the 34th International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners held in Uruguay on 23-24 October are now available
7 November - Submission to Inquiry into the Freedom of Information Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Office) Bill 2012
The OAIC has made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on their Inquiry into the Freedom of Information Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Office) Bill 2012
7 November - Submission on the Canadian Access to Information Act
The OAIC made a submission to the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada on the review of the Canadian Access to Information Act.
5 November - Review of FOI laws - submissions requested by 7 December
Submissions to the review, being conducted by Dr Allan Hawke AC, into the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010, have been requested by 7 December 2012. More information available on Attorney-General's Department website.
5 November - Regulation of drone technology submission
The OAIC made a submission to the Attorney-General on the regulation of drone technology.
31 October - Media statement: Dr Allan Hawke to review FOI and AIC Acts
See the statement issued today by the Australian Information Commissioner on the appointment of Dr Allan Hawke AC to conduct an independent review of the FOI and AIC Acts.
30 October - Personal Information Digests received from agencies
Questions in relation to content in a PID should be directed to the particular agency.
30 October - Healthcare Identifiers Annual Report 2011-12 published
The Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010 requires the Australian Information Commissioner to prepare an annual report on the Information Commissioner's compliance and enforcement activities under that Act. This is the 2011-12 report.
25 October - OAIC careers: EL1 Assistant Director, Records Management
Applications close 8 November 2012
24 October - Submission on Higher Education Support Amendment (Maximum Payment Amounts and Other Measures) Bill 2012
The OAIC made a submission to the inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment on amendments to the Higher Education Support Act.
23 October - Submission on Review of Counter Terrorism legislation
The OAIC made a submission to the Council of Australian Governments review of counter-terrorism legislation in Australia.
23 October - Submission on Migration Amendment (Health Care for Asylum Seekers) Bill
The OAIC submission provides recommendations to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on the inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Health Care for Asylum Seekers) Bill 2012.
17 October - APPA letter to EU privacy working party re Google privacy policy
On 16 October 2012, the European Union Article 29 Data Protection Working Party released findings and recommendations of an investigation into Googles privacy policy (more info at http://www.cnil.fr/english/news-and-events/news/article/googles-new-privacy-policy-incomplete-information-and-uncontrolled-combination-of-data-across-ser/). Members of the APPA forum have sent a letter supporting many of the recommendations of the Article 29 Data Protection Working Party.
17 October - Media release: Privacy Commissioner supports the release of mandatory data breach notification discussion paper
The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has supported the release of the Governments discussion paper on mandatory privacy breach notification.
16 October - Media release: OAIC annual report confirms increase in FOI and privacy activity
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) Annual Report 201112 shows a steady increase in workload across the OAICs three functions freedom of information (FOI), privacy and information policy.
12 October - OAIC 2011-12 Annual Report now available
The OAIC 2011-12 Annual Report was tabled in Parliament today.
9 October - Media Statement: Google Street View Wi-Fi Collection - additional disks located
New correspondence between Google and the OAIC on the Google Street View Wi-Fi collection in Australia
5 October - Media Statement: Facebook Timeline
Our Office has asked Facebook questions about the claims that private messages have been appearing on peoples Timelines.
28 September - Upcoming event: Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act
Please join us on the morning of Tuesday 27 November 2012 at the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate this historic event. This is a free event, but places are limited. Registration is essential.
26 September - Investigation report on processing of non-routine FOI requests by DIAC
Investigation report released on delays in processing of non-routine freedom of information requests by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
26 September - Media release: Australian Information Commissioner releases report on DIAC FOI processing delays
The Australian Information Commissioner has released an investigation report into delays in processing non-routine freedom of information requests by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
25 September - ICON meeting presentations added
Audio files and PowerPoint presentations by speakers are now available for the Information Contact Officers Network meeting held on 11 September 2012.
18 September - Article: 'Access to information forces government to open'
An article by Prof. John McMillan, Australian Information Commissioner provided to 'Legal Affairs' section, The Australian (September 2012). An edited version of this article was published in the 'Legal Affairs' section of The Australian on 7 September 2012.
18 September - Speech: 'Enabling tomorrow's open government', presentation by Prof. John McMillan
Text of speech given by the Australian Information Commissioner, Prof John McMillan, as part of a panel at the NSW Information Commissioner 'Creating Open Government Conference', 21 August 2012.
17 September - FOI: Answers to frequently asked questions from the public about freedom of information
Answers to questions frequently asked by the public about the process for requesting access to documents and review rights under the Freedom of Information Act.
14 September - Inquiry into potential reforms of National Security Legislation - Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (August 2012)
In this submission the OAIC welcomes the focus of the Inquiry on ensuring that the proposals it canvasses contain appropriate safeguards for protecting the human rights and privacy of individuals. The OAIC is also supportive of the Committee giving consideration to ensuring proposals are proportionate responses to any threat to national security, critical infrastructure and law enforcement more generally.
13 September - Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012 - Submission to House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affair (September 2012)
The OAIC supports the creation of a Do Not Knock Register which will give individuals the option of not receiving marketing calls at their home. The establishment of the Register would be an important mechanism to help address community concerns over the intrusiveness of some marketing approaches.
13 September - Supplementary submission to House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs on the Privacy Amendment(Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012 August 2012
This supplementary submission addresses some additional matters arising during the hearing process: 1.cross-border disclosure of personal information and accountability 2.the concept of Australian link 3.complaint handling by the Commissioner.
11 September - Guidance for agency websites: 'Access to information' web page
This guidance updates guidance issued by the Australian Information Commissioner in March 2011, 'Guidance for agency websites' - FOI and IPS compliance with obligations.
11 September - Agency resource 14: Access to government information - administrative access schemes
This agency resource explains what administrative access is, why it may be beneficial for agencies to release information outside the formal FOI process, and how agencies can set up an administrative access scheme.
4 September - Supplementary submission to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on the Privacy Amendment(Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012 August 2012
This supplementary submission addresses some additional matters arising during the hearing process: 1.cross-border disclosure of personal information and accountability 2.the concept of Australian link 3.complaint handling by the Commissioner.
3 September - Consultation on a draft guide to mandatory data breach notification in the eHealth record system
The OAIC is conducting a public consultation on a draft of a guide to mandatory data breach notification under the personally controlled electronic health record system. The draft guide provides general guidance to help entities meet their mandatory data breach notification reporting obligations under the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Act 2012. It also aims to assist entities to respond effectively to data breaches. The OAIC is seeking comments on the draft guide from industry groups and individuals with a specific interest or expertise in the eHealth record system, or any other interested parties who may be affected by the guide.
28 August - Consultation on eHealth record system - OAIC Enforcement Guidelines
The OAIC is conducting a public consultation on a draft of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records System - Enforcement Guidelines for the Information Commissioner 2012.
27 August - MEDIA RELEASE: Open government reforms create more transparency
Research released by the OAIC confirms that Australian Government agencies are moving closer to an open access and proactive disclosure culture.
27 August - OAIC careers: APS 5, APS6 and EL1 Merit Review and Investigation Officer positions available
The OAIC has several positions available at the APS 5, APS 6 and EL 1 level for Merit Review and Investigation Officers, based in either Canberra or Sydney.
27 August - OAIC careers: APS6 and EL1 Merit Review and Investigation Officer positions available
The OAIC has several positions available at both the APS6 and EL1 level for Merit Review and Investigation Officers, based in either Canberra or Sydney.
24 August - Open public sector information: government in transition - interim observations from the public sector information survey 2012
The OAIC is currently examining how Australian Government agencies manage public sector information (PSI). This interim report notes what agencies are currently doing well, which principles of open PSI they are finding challenging to implement and what assistance they need to meet their obligations.
17 August - Information Publication Scheme - Survey of Australian Government Agencies Compliance with IPS obligations - Report by ORIMA Research prepared for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
This report contains the results of the first IPS Survey of Australian Government agencies. It was undertaken on behalf of the OAIC in April 2012 by ORIMA Research. This report was prepared by ORIMA and reflects their work and assessment.
17 August - Healthcare Identifiers Service - Department of Human Services - Audit Report
The purpose of this audit was to assess whether the Healthcare Identifiers Serviceâs handling of healthcare identifier information is in accordance with the Healthcare Identifiers Act, the Healthcare Identifiers Regulations and the Information Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act.
15 August - Personal and business information â Third party review rights under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 Consultation paper
The Australian Information Commissioner has issued a consultation paper that provides interim guidance on the operation of the consultation requirements in ss 27 and 27A of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 that apply to the business and personal privacy exemptions (ss 47, 47F, 47G). Comments are invited on the consultation paper by 17 September 2012.
10 August - Google Street View Wi-Fi Collection - an update
Further correspondence between Google and the OAIC on the Google Street View Wi-Fi collection in Australia
7 August - Google Street View Wi-Fi Collection
Recent correspondence between Google and the OAIC on the Google Street View Wi-Fi collection in Australia
7 August - Facebook's data use policy
Recent correspondence from Facebook to the OAIC in response to a submission from the OAIC in May 2012 related to Facebook's data use policy changes
1 August - (second) OAIC submission on the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012
Submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs
30 July - Privacy Commissioner media statement on AAPT Anonymous hack
Statement from the Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim
26 July - Privacy Commissioner responds to media claims about Medvet investigation
Letter to the editor of The Australian newspaper from Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim
25 July - OAIC submission on the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
23 July - Medvet own motion investigation report (July 2012)
Report on Privacy Commissioner's investigation into release of personal information by Medvet Pty Ltd.
20 July - Submission to Essential Services Commission on the Draft Report: Smart Meter Privacy Impact Assessment (June 2012)
20 July - Dell Australia / Epsilon Own motion investigation report
17 July - Passenger Name Records (PNR data) Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Audit Report
13 July - OAIC submission to review of Commonwealth financial accountability
Submission to Department of Finance and Deregulation review of Commonwealth financial accountability
11 July - FOI fact sheet 16: Extensions of time
New FOI fact sheet explaining the process for applying to the OAIC for an extension of time to process a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
5 July - FOI FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions from agencies and FOI practitioners about access to documents and review rights under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
01 July - MEDIA RELEASE: Privacy protections now in place for the new eHealth system
29 June - FOI Guidelines Part 13 - Information Publication Scheme and Part 14 - Disclosure log updated
Key revisions include: Updated information in Part 13 about the OAIC's upcoming IPS compliance review program. Expanded advice in Part 14 about the timing of publication of information on the disclosure log (see paragraphs 14.20-14.27). Notice of statistics that the Information Commissioner will collect from agencies and ministers about disclosure log activity for inclusion in the 2012-13 FOI Annual Report has also been given in Part 14 (see paragraph 14.71).
29 June - MEDIA RELEASE: Telstra breaches Privacy Act
The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim has found Telstra in breach of the Privacy Act after 734,000 Telstra customers' details were made available online in December 2011.
28 June - Three privacy fact sheets on the privacy complaint process published
Privacy fact sheet 10: What will happen to my complaint? Privacy fact sheet 11: How will the OAIC handle a privacy complaint against my organisation? Privacy fact sheet 12: Conciliation of privacy complaints
21 June - FOI Agency Resource 11 - Sample FOI notices updated
11 new sample FOI letters added to Agency Resource 11
21 June - Communiqué from the 37th forum of the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities held in Hong Kong on 14-15 June 2012
14 June - MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Information Commissioner encourages cybersecurity awareness
Australian Information Commissioner, Professor John McMillan today encouraged all Australians to take steps to protect their personal information during National Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2012 (12 June to 15 June 2012)...
14 June - OAIC Careers: Corporate and Public Affairs Officer (APS Level 6)
Ongoing position available at the OAIC ...
7 June - Media Release: First State Super in breach of Privacy Act
The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has found First State Super Trustee Corporation in breach of the Privacy Act after a hacking incident in October 2011 ...
5 June - Agency resource 13: Freedom of information - Extension of time for processing requests
"Practical guidance for agencies providing an overview of the extension of time provisions in the FOI Act and how to apply to the OAIC for an extension."
31 May - FOI statistics presentation and dataset released (OAIC Blog)
"The OAIC has released a presentation from FOI Commissioner Dr James Popple about FOI statistics on the OAIC Blog and the accompanying dataset on data.gov.au."
24 May - Privacy Commissioner opens investigation into Telstra hacking incident
"I have opened an investigation following media reports that some Telstra services have been the subject of a hacking attack, affecting a substantial number of customers' personal information...
OAIC Careers: Policy positions available
Current positions available at the OAIC
OAIC Careers: Policy positions available
Current positions available at the OAIC
FOI Guidelines Parts 2 and 15 revised
Part 2 - Scope of application of the FOI Act v1.2 (9-May-2012)New paragraph about the application of the FOI Act to Commonwealth Parliamentary departments (paragraph 2.5); Part 15 - Reporting v1.2 (10-May-2012)Updated annual report requirements and removal of transitional arrangements for 2010-11
Two OAIC presentations given during Privacy Awareness Week published
Presentation by the Australian Information Commissioner, Professor John McMillan to launch the revised Data Breach Notification Guide at the OAIC's Privacy Awareness Week corporate breakfast on 30 April 2012 and a presentation by the Freedom of Information Commissioner, Dr James Popple at the launch of Information Awareness Month 2012 at the National Library, Canberra on 1 May 2012.
Privacy Fact Sheets
Three Privacy Fact Sheets were released last week during Privacy Awareness Week 2012. They are: Privacy Fact Sheet 7 - Ten steps to protect other people's personal information; Privacy Fact Sheet 8 - Ten steps to protect your personal information; Privacy Fact Sheet 9 - Guide to internal investigations (the latter to assist organisations to address a privacy complaint made by an individual).
Two presentations by the Australian Privacy Commissioner
Two presentations delivered by the Privacy Commissioner for Privacy Awareness Week 2012
4 May - MEDIA RELEASE: Privacy Awareness Week ends on a high note
Privacy Awareness Week 2012 draws to a close today with the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, saying that the annual campaign of Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) had been a great success.
2 May - MEDIA RELEASE: New laws to enhance privacy rights
Privacy law reform is a step closer with the announcement today that the Australian Government will introduce amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (the Act) during the Winter sitting of Parliament. Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim said he welcomed the announcement that the changes will include new powers for the Commissioner to enforce privacy laws. The announcement comes during Privacy Awareness Week 2012.
1 May - MEDIA RELEASE: Young people a priority during Privacy Awareness Week
Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has today reminded young people to make good privacy choices to ensure that their social networking behaviour does not come back to bite them in the future.
1 May - CASE NOTE: A and Financial Institution [2012] AICmrCN 1
Privacy case note: summary of a complaint about a financial institution's use and disclosure of a customer's personal information.
30 April - MEDIA RELEASE: Business warned to be ready for data breaches
Over 180 business leaders representing some of Australia's largest organisations met today to discuss how to prevent a data breach, and how to respond to one, if or when it occurs. Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim said that there is evidence to suggest that data breaches are on the rise.
30 April - MEDIA RELEASE: Government agency compliance with FOI Act to be tested
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is commencing work to assess how Australian Government agencies are complying with their Information Publication Scheme obligations under the Freedom of Information Act
27 April - MEDIA RELEASE: Privacy - It's all about you
Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim reminds all Australians to take care of their personal information during Privacy Awareness Week 2012 (29 April to 5 May 2012)
FOI Agency Resource 12 - Defining an agency
Release of Agency Resource 12 on defining an agency for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
20 April - Privacy Awareness Week: Register now for the corporate breakfast launch event Data breach: are you ready? to be held on Monday 30 April in Sydney
Places are fast running out for the corporate breakfast launch event for Privacy Awareness Week on Monday 30 April 2012 in Sydney. Register now and avoid disappointment. You can also become a Privacy Awareness Week Partner. See: http://www.privacyawarenessweek.org/oaic/partner.html
17 April - Revocation of the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code
Following a request from the Biometrics Institute and public consultation the Australian Privacy Commissioner has revoked the approval of the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code. The revocation instrument was registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 16 April 2012 and took effect from 17 April 2012. The instrument and explanatory statement are available at: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012L00869
12 April - Careers: APS 6, APS 5 and APS 4 positions available
Careers: APS 6 Merit Review and Investigation Officer, APS 5 Assistant Merit Review and Investigation Officer and APS 4 Enquiries Officer positions available
27 March - MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Information Commissioner releases FOI charges review findings
The Australian Information Commissioner, Professor John McMillan, has released his report to the Attorney-General proposing changes to the way charges are imposed for giving access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. The report is available at http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/reports.html#other_reports. A blog post by the Commissioner about the report is available at: http://oaic.govspace.gov.au/2012/03/27/foi-charges-review-released/
26 March - New Agency Resource: Sample FOI notices
This series of sample FOI notices has been developed to help agencies and ministers comply with their obligations under the FOI Act
26 March - Updated Tax File Number fact sheet
Note that the OAIC's privacy fact sheet on handling tax file numbers has been updated to take account of recent amendments to the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 and the Retirement Savings Accounts Regulations 1997 and to clarify a few other matters
13 March - Fair Work Act Review; Supplementary Submission to the Fair Work Act Review Panel
Short letter supplementary submission to the Fair Work Act Review Panel re: Privacy Act employee exemption
6 March - Publication of a speech by the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, on Privacy law reform: challenges and opportunities
The speech was given at the Emerging Challenges in Privacy Law Conference, 23 February 2012
2 March - Google Privacy Policy: Letter from APPA TWG and Google response
24 February - FOI Fact Sheet 15: Freedom of information and Norfolk Island
The OAIC has published a new fact sheet in relation to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Norfolk Island administration
22 February - Proposed revocation of the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code: Consultation paper
The OAIC has released a consultation paper on the proposed revocation of the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code. Comments are sought by 21 March 2012
22 February - Fair Work Act Review; Submission to the Fair Work Act Review Panel
Submission now available
6 February - Airport Body Scanning : correction of article 'New 'no scan, no fly' law' by Linda Silmalis, Sunday Telegraph
Linda Silmalis' article (New 'no scan, no fly' law, Sunday Telegraph, 5/2/2011) incorrectly states that the Privacy Commissioner has 'approved' the body scanning technology to be introduced at Australian airports. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) provided advice to the Office of Transport Security on the privacy implications of the body scanning technology, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that has now concluded. The MOU recognised the independence of the OAIC in providing that advice. However, I did not have a role in approving this project as part of the provision of that advice.
1 February - Privacy Commissioner opens an investigation into alleged hacking of Fairfax's Herald Education website
Statement from Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim - I have opened an investigation into allegations that the Herald Education website may have been subject to hacking, compromising the personal information of some subscribers. My investigation will be looking at the site's compliance with the Privacy Act and in particular whether appropriate data security practices were in place at the time of the alleged hack. I strongly encourage businesses to make the security of their customer's personal information a top priority, particularly in the light of an increased number of similar security breaches in 2011.
25 January - OAIC submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs into their Inquiry into the provisions of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records Bill 2011
The OAIC strongly supports introducing enabling legislation to accompany the PCEHR System. Ensuring that this legislation appropriately protects individuals' personal information is fundamental to establishing and maintaining public confidence in the system.
25 January - MEDIA RELEASE - Back to school: Who knows what you did this summer?
Students heading back to the classroom for 2012 are being reminded to review their social media privacy settings to make them as strong as possible. The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, sends this reminder to coincide with Data Privacy Day 2012.
25 January - MEDIA RELEASE - Customer privacy more important than ever in 2012
Organisations gearing up for the year ahead should make sure their privacy practices are up to date and customers' personal information is secure to avoid embarrassing privacy breaches in 2012. To coincide with Data Privacy Day, on 28 January, the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, reminds businesses to review their privacy practices and make sure that staff returning from holidays understand their privacy obligations.
19 January - Careers: EL 1 and APS level 6 positions available.
Careers: EL 1 Legal Officer and APS 6 Compliance Officer positions available.
12 January - Media statement: ANZ eStatement update
Media statement from Australian Privacy Commissioner - update on the ANZ eStatement matter
12 January - Careers: Positions available
Careers: APS level 5 and 6 positions available.
20 December: New tax file number (TFN) guidelines registered
New tax file number guidelines were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 20 December 2011. The TFN Guidelines, issued under s 17 of the Privacy Act 1988, regulate the collection, storage, use, disclosure, security and disposal of individual's TFN information. The TFN Guidelines replace the previous Tax File Number Guidelines 1992. These new guidelines result from a review conducted this year by the OAIC (for information on the review see: http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#review_of_the_TFN). A comprehensive fact sheet on TFNs has also been released today at: http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/privacy_fact_sheets/privacy_fact_sheet6_TFN_guide_2011.html)
16 December Consultation: Review of data-matching guidelines
In 1998, the former Office of the Privacy Commissioner published 'The use of data matching in Commonwealth administration: Guidelines'. These are voluntary guidelines regarding the conduct of data-matching activities for administrative purposes by Australian Government agencies. The OAIC is currently reviewing the Guidelines. As part of the review, the OAIC has produced draft revised Guidelines (proposed to be retitled Guidelines for Data-matching in Australian Government Administration). To assist the public in considering the draft revised Guidelines and preparing comments, the OAIC has also issued a consultation paper in relation to the review. The OAIC welcomes comments on the draft revised Guidelines by 10 February 2012.
15 December: Submission: Review of the Integrated Public Number Database
Submission by the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on their discussion paper on the review of the Integrated Public Number Database
15 December: Privacy Own Motion Investigation Report released
The Privacy Own Motion Investigation Report into an allegation that the Professional Services Review Agency holds Medicare Benefits Program and Pharmaceutical Benefits Program claims information within the same database has been released today. This is the published report. A statement about the closing of the investigation was issued on 16 September 2011 (at: http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_investigation_into_professional_services_review_concludes.html)
12 December: Privacy Determination - 'D' and Wentworthville Leagues Club
Privacy Determination under s 52 of the Privacy Act 1988 by the Australian Privacy Commissioner
12 December: Privacy Commissioner opens investigation into Telstra customer accounts data breach
Statement from Australian Privacy Commissioner
7 December Privacy PID - Collection of Family, Social and Medical Histories registered
Privacy Public Interest Determinations 12 and 12A on the collection of family, social and medical histories were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments today. They will have effect from 11 December 2011 when the current determinations expire. They have affect for 5 years.
6 December: Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Communiqué from the 36th forum held in Melbourne, Australia on 12 December 2011
Communiqué from the 36th APPA forum held in Melbourne, Australia on 12 December 2011
6 December: Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) media release: People care about privacy on social networking sites: Survey by international privacy commissioners
A recent online survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) forum has revealed that contrary to popular assumptions people do care about their privacy on social networking sites.In May 2011, the APPA forum encouraged its members to run an online survey to find out how people used social networking sites, and whether they thought online privacy was important. More than 10,000 people responded to the survey, most of them from Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Korea. The results have just been released at the APPA meeting in Melbourne.
2 December: MEDIA RELEASE: Freedom of information annual report charts progress in open government reforms
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 Annual Report 2010-2011, a joint report of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information is now available.
18 November: Submission: Statutory Cause of Action - Issues Paper - A Commonwealth statutory cause of action for serious invasion of privacy; Submission to the Attorney-General's Department (November 2011)
The OAIC has released its submission to the Australian Government's Issues Paper on a Commonwealth statutory cause of action for serious invasion of privacy.
15 November Inaugural OAIC Information Policy Conference: Public Sector Information: A National Resource
Information experts from public and private sectors are gathering today at the OAIC's inaugural conference in Canberra to share ideas and insights on the future direction of government information policy. The 2011 Information Policy Conference is being held to mark the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's first year of operation. Opened by the Hon Brendan O'Connor, Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information, the conference will be considering public sector information as a national resource and how it can be made available for community access and use. Participants are discussing barriers to proactive publication and considering how technology can facilitate information management and exchange, while also protecting the personal information held by government.
15 November A Guide to the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
The OAIC has released a guide to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 that provides a broad perspective on FOI, placing it within the information policy landscape. It provides a detailed history of the Act and its operation in Australia and charts the progress towards the 2010 reforms and beyond. The guide is designed for a wide audience, in and outside government. It is particularly aimed at assisting senior leaders in government to maintain a lasting commitment to open government.
15 November Information Policy Issues Paper 2 Understanding the Value of Public Sector Information in Australia
The OAIC today published a new Issues Paper, Understanding the Value of Public Sector Information in Australia. The paper explores ways of valuing public sector information (PSI) and assessing the impact of publication. It suggests that both government agencies and reusers of PSI complete a survey on the publication and reuse of PSI. The responses to this survey will help the OAIC develop a methodology for valuing PSI, as recommended by the Gov 2.0 taskforce. The OAIC welcomes submissions by 31 January 2012.
31 October OAIC Annual Report 2010-11
OAIC Annual Report 2010-11 now available.
31 October: Consultation: Review of charges under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
As part of the review, the OAIC has released a discussion paper which sets out; the scope of the review, the background to the charging framework, the current charging regime under the FOI Act, a snapshot of the estimated costs of processing FOI requests and fees and charges collected and an overview of charging practices in other Australian and overseas jurisdictions. Submissions by 21 November 2011.
26 October: 2010-11 Annual Report on the compliance and enforcement activities under the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010
This report is made under Section 30(1) of the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010 which requires the Australian Information Commissioner to prepare an annual report on the Commissioner's compliance and enforcement activities under the Healthcare Identifiers Act.
25 October Freedom of Information Guidelines - Part 8 formally issued - Decisions on freedom of information requests
The Information Commissioner has issued Part 8 of the FOI guidelines on agency decision making on FOI requests. This Part outlines; the principles of good decision making under the FOI Act, the types of decisions that can be made on requests for access to documents, when and how to prepare a statement of reasons, the timeframes for making a decision, deemed decisions, release of documents to an applicant, public access to information released to an applicant, protections where access is given.
21 October Consultation: Application for a Public Interest Determination from UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide
The application concerns the disclosure and collection of personal information without consent in limited and specific circumstances, to improve outcomes for children and young people at risk of serious harm. The application has been sought to enable implementation of the South Australian Information Sharing Guidelines for Promoting the Safety and Wellbeing of Children (SA Government 2008). These guidelines aim to improve early intervention outcomes by providing a consistent and structured framework for service coordination. A consultation paper has been published. Comments due by 25 November 2011
20 October Consultation: Application for a Public Interest Determination Collection of Family, Social and Medical Histories
The application concerns the collection by health service providers of third party health information that is relevant to a patient's family or social medical histories, without the third party's consent. A consultation paper has been published. Comments due by 11 November 2011
12 October FOI Disclosure Log Determination Registered
The effect of this determination under s11C(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 is that agencies and Ministers are not required to publish information prescribed by the determination, in their disclosure log. The determination applies to: information in a document that was an exempt document at the time that access was given by the agency or Minister to the applicant under s 11A of the Act, and information in a document that the agency or Minister would have decided was an exempt document at the time that access was given to the applicant under s 11A of the Act, if the request for that document had been received from a person other than the applicant. The determination has effect from 17 October 2011.
7 October Announcement of a review of Freedom of Information charges
Announcement by the Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information of a review of Freedom of Information charges to be conducted by the OAIC. Statement from Professor John McMillan, Australian Information Commissioner
29 September Information Advisory Committee announcement of members
Information Advisory Committee announcement of members (29 September 2011) Statement from Professor John McMillan, Australian Information Commissioner
29 September New FOI agency resources issued
New FOI agency resources issued
29 September Media Release: Sony Report finalised
MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Privacy Commissioner concludes Sony investigation
21 September - Careers: positions available
Careers: positions available
8 September - Registration open for 2011 Information Policy Conference
Public Sector Information: A National Resource - 15 November 2011, National Convention Centre, Canberra
16 August - New credit provider determinations
The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has today announced the making of three new credit provider determinations covering Assignees, Classes of Credit Providers and Indigenous Business Australia.
15 August - Submission: Draft National Rail Safety Law 2011
Submission by Prof. John McMillan to the National Transport Commission on the Draft National Rail Safety Law 2011
15 August - Consultation: Tax File Number Guidelines review
The OAIC is seeking your views on its draft revised Tax File Number (TFN) Guidelines. The TFN Guidelines protect individuals' privacy by restricting the use of TFN information. Closing date for comments is 15 September 2011.
04 August Careers: positions available
04 August Careers: positions available
29 July FOI Review Decision: Carver and Fair Work Ombudsman
Freedom of Information: Request for access to documents relating to an investigation under the APS Code of Conduct - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 47C, 47E, 47F - Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 11A(5)
27 July - Consultation: Draft Disclosure Log Determination
The OAIC has released for public comment, draft Disclosure Log Determination No 1 exempt documents. The Information Commissioner proposes to make this determination under s 11C(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). The effect of this determination would be that agencies and Ministers would not be required to publish information prescribed by the determination, in their disclosure log.
22 July - FOI Guidelines Part 3 - Processing requests for access
Part 3 of the FOI Guidelines, on processing requests for access to documents, has been issued by the Australian Information Commissioner.
13 July - Submission on draft PCEHR Concept of Operations
Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing on the draft Person Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) Concept of Operations
These news come from Latest News & Events - Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
The OAIC will launch a new website this week.
The web address for the OAIC website will not change. This is the final RSS feed from the existing OAIC website. Most pages on the new OAIC website will include a RSS feed. You will need to resubscribe to these RSS feeds to continue to be notified of changes to the OAIC website.
FOI review decision: Diamond and Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [2013] AICmr 57 (22 May 2013)
Whether material maintained for reference purposes that is otherwise publicly available - Request involving use of computers; Public interest conditional exemption - Commonwealth-State relations — Whether disclosure of documents would cause damage to relations between Commonwealth and State - Public interest test - ss 4(1), 11A(5), 11B, 17, 47B
FOI review decision: Rudd and Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2013] AICmr 56 (13 May 2013)
Legal professional privilege - Whether documents subject to legal professional privilege s 42
FOI review decision: 'AG' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 55 (26 April 2013)
Request for access to documents - Whether giving access would disclose material obtained in confidence - Personal privacy exemption - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release - Whether contrary to public interest to conditionally release exempt documents ss 11A(5), 11B, 45, 47F
FOI review decision: 'AF' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 54 (26 April 2013)
Legal professional privilege - Whether material obtained in confidence - Whether documents contain deliberative matter - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable ss 42, 45, 47C, 47F
FOI review decision: 'AE' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 53 (26 April 2013)
Amendment of personal records - Date of birth - Whether a record of date of birth should be amended ss 48, 50
FOI review decision: Upper Dumaresq Action Group and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2013] AICmr 47 (18 April 2013)
Whether material obtained in confidence - Public interest conditional exemption - Business ss 45, 47G
FOI review decision: Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education and Department of Health and Ageing [2013] AICmr 52 (24 April 2013)
Charges - Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge s 29
FOI review decisions: 'AC' and Department of Health and Ageing [2013] AICmr 50 and 'AD' and Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2013] AICmr 51 (24 April 2013)
Scope of review of access grant decision - Public interest conditional exemption - Business - Whether documents affecting business affairs conditionally exempt from release - Whether adverse effect of release unreasonable ss 11A(5), 11B, 27, 27A, 47, 47F, 47G, 53B, 54M
FOI review decision: Philip Morris Ltd and Department of Health and Ageing [2013] AICmr 49 (22 April 2013)
Request for access to categories of documents concerning tobacco regulation - Whether dealing with request would be a substantial and unreasonable diversion of resources s 24, 24AA, 24AB
FOI review decision: 'AB' and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2013] AICmr 48 (22 April 2013)
Disclosure of financial information to Minister required by statute - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable - Whether disclosure contrary to public interest s 47F, 11A(5)
FOI review decision: 'AA' and Bureau of Meteorology [2013] AICmr 46 (18 April 2013)
International relations of the Commonwealth Whether disclosure would, or could reasonably be expected to, cause damage to the international relations of the Commonwealth s 33(a)(iii)
FOI review decision: Wake and Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2013] AICmr 45 (15 April 2013)
Documents affecting international relations Whether disclosure would, or could reasonably be expected to, cause damage to the international relations of the Commonwealth. Refusal of access to documents Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents. ss 33(a)(iii), 24A(1)
FOI review decisions: 'Z' and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2013] AICmr 43 and 'Z' and Department of the Treasury [2013] AICmr 44
Disclosure of financial information to Minister required by statute Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable whether disclosure contrary to public interest ss 47F, 11A(5)
FOI review decision: 'Y' and Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2013] AICmr 42 (12 April 2013)
Request for access to documents relating to an investigation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Certain operations of agencies Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable ss 47E, 47F
FOI review decision: Hamden and Department of Human Services [2013] AICmr 41 (12 April 2013)
Legal Professional Privilege Whether documents subject to legal professional privilege, and if so, whether privilege waived s 42
FOI review decision: 'X' and Australian Federal Police [2013] AICmr 40 (9 April 2013)
National Security Hotline report Documents affecting the enforcement of law and protection of public safety s 37
FOI review decision: 'W' and the Australian Federal Police [2013] AICmr 39 (8 April 2013)
Documents affecting national security, defence or international relations. Documents affecting enforcement of law and protection of public safety Prejudice to law enforcement methods and procedures. Personal privacy exemption Certain operations of agencies Whether documents conditionally exempt from release ss 33(b), 37(2)(b), 11A(5), 47E, 47F
FOI review decision: Hothnyang and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 38 (8 April 2013)
Amendment of personal records Whether a record of date of birth should be amended ss 48, 50
FOI review decision:'V' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 37 (3 April 2013)
Amendment of personal records Whether the information on the Department's record is incorrect Whether it should be amended ss 48, 50, 55D
Vexatious applicant declaration: Commonwealth Ombudsman and 'S' [2013] AICmr 31 (27 March 2013)
Freedom of information Vexatious applicant declaration Whether respondent should be declared a vexatious applicant Whether respondent has repeatedly engaged in access actions that involve an abuse of process Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 89K, 89L
FOI review decision: O'Sullivan and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [2013] AICmr 36 (28 March 2013)
Request for access to documents Whether giving access would disclose information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request Documents affecting international relations Documents affecting personal privacy Whether disclosure of personal information of a third party is unreasonable Documents affecting business affairs ss 22, 33, 47F, 47G
FOI review decision: 'U' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 35 (28 March 2013)
Amendment of personal records Whether a record of date of birth should be amended ss 48, 50
FOI review decision:Dreamsafe Recycling Pty Ltd and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations [2013] AICmr 34 (27 March 2013)
Request for access to document Whether documents contain deliberative matter Whether documents unreasonably affect business affairs Whether documents conditionally exempt from release Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents ss 22, 47C, 47G
FOI review decision: 'T' and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2013] AICmr 33 (27 March 2013)
Practical refusal decision Whether work involved in processing FOI request would substantially and unreasonably divert agency resources Failure to follow request consultation process ss 24, 24AA, 24AB
FOI review decision: Watson and the Australian Federal Police [2013] AICmr 32 (27 March 2013)
Documents affecting international relations Whether disclosure of documents would, or could reasonably be expected to, cause damage to the international relations of the Commonwealth Whether disclosure of documents would divulge any information communicated in confidence by an authority of a foreign government ss 22, 33, 54U, 55ZB
FOI review decision: 'R' and Department of Veteran's Affairs [2013] AICmr 30 (22 March 2013)
Public interest conditional exemption Certain operations of agencies Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt document ss 11A(5), 47E(d)
FOI review decision: 'Q' and Department of Health and Ageing [2013] AICmr 29 (22 March 2013)
Public interest conditional exemption Business Whether documents conditionally exempt from release ss 11A(5), 47G
FOI review decision: Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Australian Sports Commission [2013] AICmr 28 (20 March 2013)
Material obtained in confidence Whether documents contain deliberative matter Whether disclosure of personal information would be unreasonable Whether documents affecting business affairs conditionally exempt from release whether adverse effect of release unreasonable Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents ss 11A(5), 47C, 47F, 47G
FOI review decision: 'O' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 27 (15 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Amendment of personal records Whether the information on the Department's record is incorrect ss 48, 50
FOI review decision: 'N' and the Bureau of Meteorology [2013] AICmr 26 (14 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable, Public interest test Personal information relating to a third party s 47F ss 11A(5), 11B
FOI review decision: Heffernan and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation [2013] AICmr 25 (13 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Refusal of access to documents - Documents cannot be found - Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents ss 24A(1), 55G
FOI review decision: 'M' and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry [2013] AICmr 24 (13 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Public interest conditional exemption - business - whether disclosure could harm the business, commercial or financial affairs of an organisation where it cannot be identified ss 29(5)(a), 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: 'L' and Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry [2013] AICmr 23 (13 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Public interest conditional exemption business whether disclosure could harm the business, commercial or financial affairs of an organisation where it cannot be identified s 47G
FOI review decision: 'K' and Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2013] AICmr 22 (13 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Public interest conditional exemption - Business s 47G
FOI review decision: 'J' and Department of Health and Ageing [2013] AICmr 21 (8 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Request for access to documents - Whether giving access would disclose information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request - Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the management or assessment of personnel - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release - Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents ss 11A(5), 22, 47E(c), 47F
FOI review decision: ACP Magazines Ltd and IP Australia [2013] AICmr 20 (7 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Whether material obtained in confidence s 45
FOI review decision: Besser and Department of Infrastructure and Transport [2013] AICmr 19 (6 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Request for access to documents - Whether documents contain deliberative matter - Certain operations of agencies - Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release ss 11A(5), 22, 47C and 47E
FOI review decision: 'I' and Attorney-General's Department [2013] AICmr 18 (1 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable ss 11A(5), 47F, 55G
FOI review decision: 'H' and Attorney-General's Department [2013] AICmr 17 (1 March 2013)
Freedom of information - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable ss 11A(5), 47F, 55G
FOI review decision: 'G' and Department of Human Services [2013] AICmr 16 (28 February 2013)
Freedom of information - Refusal of access to documents - Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents s 24A(1)
FOI review decision: 'F' and Department of Defence [2013] AICmr 15 (28 February 2013)
Freedom of information - Refusal of access to documents - Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents s 24A(1)
FOI review decision: 'E' and Department of Health and Ageing [2013] AICmr 14 (28 February 2013)
Freedom of information - Whether giving access would disclose information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request - Request for information about identity and qualifications of clinical assessor - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable ss 22, 47F(1)
FOI review decision: 'D' and Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2013] AICmr 13 (28 February 2013)
Freedom of information - Documents disclosing commercially valuable information - Operations Manual s 47
FOI review decision: Besser and Attorney-General's Department [2013] AICmr 12 (25 February 2013)
Freedom of information - Whether documents affect the enforcement of the law - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable - Whether edited copy of document can be provided ss 37, 47F, 22
FOI review decision: Fletcher and Prime Minister of Australia [2013] AICmr 11 (22 February 2013)
Freedom of information - Whether diary entries relating to meetings with cross-bench members of Parliament are official documents of a Minister s 4(1) - Whether work involved in processing FOI request would substantially and unreasonably interfere with the performance of Prime Minister's functions ss 24, 24AA
FOI review decision: Davies and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet [2013] AICmr 10 (22 February 2013)
Freedom of information - Practical refusal decision - Whether work involved in processing FOI request would substantially and unreasonably divert agency resources or interfere with performance of Prime Minister's functions - Access to Prime Ministerial diaries ss 24, 24AA
FOI review decision: 'B' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 9 (18 February 2013)
Freedom of Information - Whether material obtained in confidence s 45
FOI review decision: 'C' and Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry [2013] AICmr 8 (18 February 2013)
Freedom of Information - Request for access to the result of a secret ballot - Whether edited version of document conditionally exempt from release - Whether edited version is reasonable ss 22, 47E, 47F
FOI review decision: 'A' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 7 (8 February 2013)
Freedom of Information - Amendment of personal records - Whether a record of date of birth should be amended - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 48, 50
FOI review decision: 'Z' and Department of Defence [2013] AICmr 6 (30 January 2013)
Freedom of Information - Request for access to documents relating to an investigation under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release - Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents ss 11A(5), 22, 47E(c), 47F
FOI review decision: Dorling and Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism [2013] AICmr 5 (30 January 2013)
Freedom of Information - Charges - Whether an agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge s 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: 'Y' and Airservices Australia [2013] AICmr 4 (23 January 2013)
Freedom of Information - Refusal of access to documents - Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents s 24A(1)
FOI review decision: 'X' and Australian Research Council [2013] AICmr 3 (23 January 2013)
Freedom of Information - Refusal of access to documents - Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents s 24A(1)
Vexatious applicant declaration: Department of Defence and 'W' [2013] AICmr 2 (17 January 2013)
Freedom of Information - Vexatious applicant declaration - Whether applicant should be declared a vexatious applicant - Whether applicant has repeatedly engaged in access actions that involve an abuse of process - ss 89K, 89L, 89M
FOI review decision: 'V' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2013] AICmr 1 (3 January 2013)
Freedom of Information Amendment of personal records Whether a record of date of birth should be amended ss 48,50
FOI review decision: 'U' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 36 (24 December 2012)
Freedom of Information Amendment of personal records Whether a record of date of birth should be amended ss 48,50
FOI review decision: 'T' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 35 (24 December 2012)
Freedom of Information Amendment of personal records Whether a record of date of birth should be amended ss 48,50
FOI review decision: McKinnon and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 34 (21 December 2012)
Freedom of Information Request that matter be referred to AAT without conducting IC review (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 54W; Request that an IC review hearing be held s 55B; Requirement that submissions be exchanged in IC review s 55(4)(b); Exempt information Documents disclosing trade secrets or commercially valuable information s 47; Public interest conditional exemption business s 47G
Privacy determination: 'S' and Veda Advantage Information Services and Solutions Ltd [2012] AICmr 33 (20 December 2012)
Privacy Act - Credit reporting - (CTH) Privacy Act 1988 s 52 - s 18G(a) - accurate, up to date, complete and not misleading - s 18R(1) - misleading credit report - non-economic loss - assessment of damages measured by statute, assisted by rules in tort - aggravated damages not awarded
FOI review decision:'R' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 32 (27 November 2012)
Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents; Public interest conditional exemption personal information
FOI review decision:Parnell and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet [2012] AICmr 31 (22 November 2012)
Whether documents contain personal information; Whether letter to Prime Minister from a former Prime Minister is an official document of a Minister.
FOI review decision: 'Q' and Department of Human Services [2012] AICmr 30 (21 November 2012)
Personal information relating to a third party Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable Public interest test
FOI review decision: 'P' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 29 (20 November 2012)
Freedom of information - Amendment of personal records - Whether a record of date of birth should be amended - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 48, 50
FOI review decision: Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia and Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs [2012] AICmr 28 (12 November 2012)
Freedom of information - Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 47F; Freedom of information - Public interest test - Personal information relating to a third party - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 11A(5), 11B
FOI review decision: 'O' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 27 (6 November 2012)
Freedom of information - Amendment of personal records - Whether a record of date of birth should be amended - Weight to put on a copy document when original document not provided - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 48, 50, 55D
FOI review decision: 'N' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 26 (31 October 2012)
Freedom of information - Amendment of personal records Whether a record of date of birth should be amended - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 48, 50, 55D
FOI review decision: Doney and Department of Finance and Deregulation [2012] AICmr 25 (16 October 2012)
Freedom of information - Legal professional privilege - Whether legal professional privilege waived (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 42. Agreement between IC review parties - Whether agreement relates to part of an IC review application or all of it - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 55F
FOI review decision: McBeth and Australian Agency for International Development [2012] AICmr 24 (20 September 2012)
Charges Whether charge has been wrongly assessed Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge.
FOI review decision: 'M' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 23 (18 September 2012)
Catchwords: Freedom of information - amendment and annotation of personal records - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 48, 50, 55D.
FOI review decision: Briggs and the Department of the Treasury (No. 3) [2012] AICmr 22 (20 August 2012)
Catchwords: Freedom of information Request for access to documents Cabinet documents Whether documents submitted to the Cabinet for its consideration or proposed by a Minister to be so submitted Whether documents brought into existence for the dominant purpose of submission for consideration by the Cabinet Whether documents are drafts of documents to which ss 34(1)(a), (b) or (c) apply Whether documents contain information the disclosure of which would reveal a Cabinet deliberation or decision that has not been officially disclosed (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 34; Freedom of information Request for access to documents Whether documents contain deliberative matter Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the financial or property interests of the Commonwealth Whether documents conditionally exempt from release Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 11A(5), 47C, 47D
FOI review decision: 'L' and Australian Human Rights Commission [2012] AICmr 21 (15 August 2012)
Freedom of information Certain operations of agencies Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency Whether documents conditionally exempt from release Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 11A(5), 47E(d)
FOI review decision: 'K' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2012] AICmr 20 (7 August 2012)
Freedom of Information - Amendment of personal records - Whether a record of date of birth should be amended when it has been shown to be incorrect but an alternative date has not been shown to be correct - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 48, 50)
FOI review decision: British American Tobacco Australia Ltd and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2012] AICmr 19 (30 July 2012)
Freedom of Information - Request for access to documents - Whether giving access would disclose information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 22; Freedom of Information - Request for access to documents - Whether documents contain deliberative matter - Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release - Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 11A(5), 47C, 47E(d)
FOI review decision: Briggs and Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (No. 2) [2012] AICmr 18 (25 June 2012)
Freedom of Information Charges Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: Briggs and Department of the Treasury (No. 2) [2012] AICmr 17 (15 June 2012)
Freedom of Information Charges Request for access to draft versions of a public document Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: 'J' and Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education [2012] AICmr 16 (14 June 2012)
Freedom of Information Charges Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: Fletcher and Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (No. 2) [2012] AICmr 15 (16 May 2012)
Freedom of Information Charges Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: Fletcher and Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy [2012] AICmr 14 (16 May 2012)
Freedom of Information Charges Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: Besser and Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education [2012] AICmr 13 (30 April 2012)
Freedom of Information Charges Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI review decision: 'I' and and Australian National University [2012] AICmr 12 (26 April 2012)
Freedom of Information Documents affecting enforcement of law and protection of public safety (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 37; Freedom of Information Public interest conditional exemptions personal information (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 47F
FOI review decision: Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Commonwealth Ombudsman [2012] AICmr 11 (26 April 2012)
Freedom of information Request for access to documents relating to an investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman Whether material obtained in confidence Whether documents exempt from release (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 45 (CTH) Ombudsman Act 1976 ss 8, 35; Freedom of information Request for access to documents relating to an investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman Whether disclosure would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the operations of an agency Whether documents conditionally exempt from release Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 11A(5), 47E(d) (CTH) Ombudsman Act 1976 ss 5, 8, 35
FOI review decision: 'H' and and Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2012] AICmr 10 (30 March 2012)
Freedom of Information Refusal of access to documents Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 24A(1)
FOI review decision: 'G' and and Australian Taxation Office [2012] AICmr 9 (29 March 2012)
Freedom of Information Refusal of access to documents Whether reasonable steps taken to find documents (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 24A(1)
F and Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2012] AICmr 8 (7 March 2012)
Freedom of Information Policy documents of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Whether documents are in relation to the ABC's program material Freedom of Information Act 1982 (CTH) s 7(2); Schedule 2, Part II
Herald and Weekly Times Pty Ltd and Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2012] AICmr 7 (7 March 2012)
Freedom of Information Documents dealing with salaries of Australian Broadcasting Corporation program makers Whether documents are in relation to the ABC's program material Freedom of Information Act 1982 (CTH) s 7(2); Schedule 2, Part II
Public Interest Determinations 13 and 13A - Disclosure and collection of personal information to improve outcomes for children and young people at risk of serious harm
These Public Interest Determinations concern the disclosure and collection of personal information without consent in limited and specific circumstances, to improve outcomes for children and young people at risk of serious harm. The application, that resulted in these determinations, sought to enable implementation of the South Australian Information Sharing Guidelines for Promoting the Safety and Wellbeing of Children.
FOI Review decision: Briggs and Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy [2012] AICmr 6
Freedom of Information - Charges - Whether the giving of access to a document is in the general public interest or in the interest of a substantial section of the public - Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI Review decision: Briggs and Department of the Treasury [2012] AICmr 5
Catchwords: Freedom of Information - Charges - Whether the giving of access to a document is in the general public interest or in the interest of a substantial section of the public - Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI Review decision: Internode Pty Ltd and NBN Co Ltd [2012] AICmr 4
Catchwords: Freedom of information - Commercial activities - Whether documents are in respect of commercial activities of NBN Co - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 7(2), (3A), 4; Schedule 2, Part II
FOI Review decision: 'E' and National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority [2012] AICmr 3
Catchwords: Freedom of information - Whether documents affecting business affairs conditionally exempt from release - Whether adverse effect of release unreasonable - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 47G
FOI Review decision: Smith and Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy [2012] AICmr 2
Catchwords: Freedom of information - Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI Review decision: Fletcher and Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy [2012] AICmr 1
Catchwords: Freedom of information - Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charge - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
FOI Review decision: Washington and Australian Prudential Regulation Authority [2011] AICmr 11
Catchwords: Freedom of information - Request for access to risk registers maintained by regulator - whether documents conditionally exempt from release - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 47J
FOI Review decision: Parnell and Prime Minister of Australia (No 2) [2011] AICmr 12
Catchwords: Freedom of information - Whether documents relating to meetings arranged for the Prime Minister at the time of an Australian Labor Party annual conference are official documents (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 4(1)
FOI Review decision: Parnell and Prime Minister of Australia [2011] AICmr 10
Catchwords: Freedom of information - Whether letter to Prime Minister from a political organisation is an official document of a Minister (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 4(1)
12 December: Privacy Determination - 'D' and Wentworthville Leagues Club
Privacy Determination under s 52 of the Privacy Act 1988 by the Australian Privacy Commissioner
7 December Privacy PID - Collection of Family, Social and Medical Histories registered
Privacy Public Interest Determinations 12 and 12A on the collection of family, social and medical histories were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 7 December 2011. They will have effect from 11 December 2011 when the current determinations expire. They have affect for 5 years.
Baljurda Comprehensive Consulting Pty Ltd and the Australian Agency for International Development [2011] AICmr 8 (18 November 2011)
Catchwords: Freedom of Information - Charges - Whether agency should exercise discretion to reduce or not impose charges - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)
'C' and Department of Immigration and Citizenship [2011] AICmr 7 (22 September 2011) PDF
Catchwords: Freedom of Information Travel and visa information relating to a third party Whether disclosure of personal information unreasonable (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 47F Freedom of Information Public interest test Personal information relating to a third party Whether relationship between applicant and third party relevant (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 11A(5), 11B
'B' and Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General [2011] AICmr 6 (9 August 2011)
Freedom of Information: Request for access to documents - Whether document of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General 'relates to matters of an administrative nature' - Documents concerning appointments to the Order of Australia - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 6A
Carver and Fair Work Ombudsman [2011] AICmr 5 (27 July 2011)
Freedom of Information: Request for access to documents relating to an investigation under the APS Code of Conduct - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 47C, 47E, 47F - Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 11A(5)
'A' and Department of Health and Ageing [2011] AICmr 4 (15 June 2011)
Freedom of Information Documents to which secrecy provisions of enactments apply (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 38 Freedom of Information Whether Information Commissioner can exercise discretion to disclose protected information (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 38(1A), 55K, 55L (CTH) Aged Care Act 1997 s 86 3
Parnell and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport [2011] AICmr 3 (11 April 2011)
Catchwords: Official documents of a Minister Whether personal references can be official documents of a Minister (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 4(1) Refusal of access to documents Whether reasonable steps taken to find a document (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 24A(1)
Besser and Department of Infrastructure and Transport [2011] AICmr 2 (17 March 2011)
Catchwords: Freedom of Information Charges Whether the giving of access to a document is in the general public interest or in the interest of a substantial section of the public (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 29(5)(b)
Crowe and NBN Co Ltd [2011] AICmr 1 (25 January 2011)
Catchwords: Freedom of information Whether respondent falls within definition of 'prescribed authority' (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 4(1)
These news come from Decisions - Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
The OAIC will launch a new website this week.
The web address for the OAIC website will not change. This is the final RSS feed from the existing OAIC website. Most pages on the new OAIC website will include a RSS feed. You will need to resubscribe to these RSS feeds to continue to be notified of changes to the OAIC website.
15 May 2013:Privacy Act 1988 s 6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
Design Paraplanning added
15 May 2013:OAIC 2013-14 Budget statement
The OAIC 2013-14 Budget statements are located on AGD's website. This page contains direct links to the statement
14 May 2013:OAIC Records management policy
9 May 2013:OAIC submission to the Senate inquiry into charging fees for silent numbers
3 May 2013: OAIC statistics 2012-13 as at 31 March 2013
2 May 2013: MoU between the Department of Health and Ageing and the Office of the Australian Privacy Commissioner
16 April 2013: Correspondence from Google re Google Play and Wallet published
11 April2013: Updated FOI and Privacy delegations under section 25 of the AIC Act published
New delegations to take account of internal restructure
20 March 2013: Consultation on the Legislative Package for the Unique Student Identifier Submission to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education - February 2013
19 March 2013: OAIC privacy policy updated
The OAIC has updated its privacy policy - both condensed and complete versions.
19 March 2013: Senate file list order; OAIC files July-Dec 2012
List of OAIC administrative files for the period 1 July to 31 December 2012
6 March 2013: New organisational chart
OAIC organisational chart effective from 4 March 2013
6 March 2013: IAC members list updated
Member, Ms Su McCluskey, added
26 February 2013: Two recent speeches by Australian Information Commission, Prof John McMillan, published
Restoring the ADJR Act in federal judicial review (4 Dec 2012) and Valuing Public Sector Information (10 Oct 2012)
22 February 2013: Concluding letter from OAIC on changes to Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and Data Use Policy
15 February 2013: Further correspondence on changes to Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and Data Use Policy
11 February 2013: Update of the membership list of the Information Advisory Committee
Membership list updated
7 February 2013: Privacy Act 1988 s 6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
Simply Honest Pty Ltd and Specialised Endorsed Training and Licensing (SETL) added to the Privacy Opt-in register
31 January 2013: Further correspondence on changes to Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and Data Use Policy
8 January 2013: OAIC Internal complaint handling and reconsideration of decisions policy
The OAIC has released a policy on internal complaint handling and reconsideration of decisions. This document replaces part 18 of the Privacy complaints practice and procedure manual and incorporates references to the OAIC's freedom of information jurisdiction as well as its privacy jurisdiction
8 January 2013: OAIC Service Charter
The OAIC has released a Service Charter which sets out the standard of service you can expect from us, explains how you can assist us to help you, and provides an opportunity for you to comment on our performance.
11 December: Privacy Act 1988 s 6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
Freightcare added
5 December: Submission to the Attorney-General's Department on Proposed regulations under the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill
Submission made in September 2012
3 December: Public holidays and agency shut-down periods - Calculating timeframes under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
Updated guidance
3 December: Privacy Act 1988 s 6EA(3) Opt-in Register updates
Hinterland Business Centre Inc added
29 November: Several OAIC submissions published
Four recent OAIC submissions were published today. They were to Senate inquiries on Aviation Accident investigations and the DLA Piper Report, to the ALRC copyright inquiry and on the UK ICO's Draft Anonymisation code of practice.
28 November: Privacy Act 1988 s 6EA(3) Opt-in Register updates
Several corrections have been made to the Privacy Opt-in Register including adding Digistorm Education Pty Ltd and BnT Consulting and Leapfish
6 November: FOI statistics (2011-12) Agency comments added
2011-12 Agency comments have now been added to the full FOI statistics report released in October. These comments are added by agencies to their annual returns to the OAIC and they help: 1) explain significant differences in statistical returns from the previous year; 2) allow agencies to comment on the operation of the FOI Act generally and 3) allow a free text description of 'other costs'. They are found at the last tab in the report.
30 October: Memorandum of understanding between the Australian Information Commissioner and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
This MOU is intended to facilitate the exercise of the Information Commissioner's information gathering powers where documents are claimed to be exempt under s 33 of the FOI Act (documents affecting national security, defence or international relations), and ensure that clear and systematic procedures are in place to facilitate the giving of evidence by the Inspector-General to the Information Commissioner in these circumstances.
24 October: Privacy Act 1988 s 6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
Giving Gifts Pty Ltd has been added to the OAIC's Privacy Act 'Opt-in' Register.
17 October: Revision to the Guide to the quarterly and annual FOI Act statistical returns to the OAIC
Minor revision to note that agency comments will in future be automatically published with the full dataset at the end of each financial year.
17 October: OAIC submission to Productivity Commission on Strengthening trans-Tasman economic relations a joint study
Submission now available
9 October: Submissions to the OAIC's eHealth consultations available
Submissions received by the OAIC to its consultations on the eHealth record system guide to mandatory data breach notification and enforcement guidelines are available on the consultations page of our website.
12 September: Revision to the Guide to the quarterly and annual FOI Act statistical returns to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
This Guide has been updated to add a new question 7A in relation to the use of disclosure logs and some other minor improvements.
5 September: Senate file list - 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2012
List of OAIC administrative files for the period 1 January to 30 June 2012
10 August: Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record System (PCEHR): Proposals for Regulations and Rules; Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing
This submission, made to the Department in April 2012, is now available
31 July: Updated OAIC organisational chart
Updated OAIC organisational chart as at 26 July 2012
27 July: Three submissions now available
Copies of OAIC submissions made earlier this year on body scanning legislation, data collection from higher education providers and proposals for strengthening trans-Tasman economic relations now available.
10 July: Information Advisory Committee meeting minutes
Minutes from the first two Information Advisory Committee meetings, held on 6 December 2011 and 3 May 2012, have been published
10 July: FOI and IPS authorisations and delegations
Copies of freedom of information delegations under the AIC Act, authorisations under the FOI Act and IPS authorisations under the FOI Act have been added to the OAIC's IPS entry.
10 July: FOI triage - IC review checklist and EOT process
Freedom of information triage - checklist for Information Commissioner reviews and process for extension of time requests followed by staff in assessing requests have been added to the OAIC's IPS entry.
Privacy Act 1988 s 6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
Business Administration Support Specialists and SMS Response (Australia) Pty Ltd have been added to the OAIC's Privacy Act 'Opt-in' Register.
The OAIC's Privacy Performance Assessment Charter and Manual
These document provide the framework for the conduct of Privacy Performance Assessments by the Compliance Branch of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the procedures used by the Compliance Branch to undertake those assessments.
Privacy Audit Reports
These are two privacy audit reports which were finalised in Dec 2009 and Jan 2010 but which have not been previously published due to an oversight. Note that privacy audit reports completed since 1 November 2010 are published at: http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/reports.html#audit_reports
2012-13 OAIC Budget
Links to our budget statements for 2012-13
Submission on the Independent Review of Australian Government Environmental Information Activity Discussion Paper
A submission to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Guide to the quarterly and annual FOI Act statistical returns
The guide has been updated with minor amendments - mainly in relation to adding a new response to Question 8C. As well a HTML version of the main part of the guide has been created.
Privacy Act 1988 s6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
Alpha Private Pty Ltd has been added to the OAIC's Privacy Act 'Opt-in' Register.
OAIC submission to The Treasury on the Discussion Paper on Charitable Fundraising Regulation Reform (April 2012)
See submission
Privacy Advisory Committee meeting reports for the meetings held in July 2011 and January 2012
These are summary reports of the last two meetings of the Privacy Advisory Committee
Submission to Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee on National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011
This is a submission made in September 2011 that was not published on our website although it has been available since September from the Senate Committee's website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=fapa_ctte/ind_hospital_pricing_authority/submissions.htm
Submission to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee inquiry into the Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Screening) Bill 2012
see the linked submission
This is a copy of a letter from the Information Commissioner to Australian Government agency heads in relation to Information Publication Scheme compliance activity by the OAIC
A copy of a letter sent by the Australian Information Commissioner to the head of Australian Government agencies subject to the FOI Act. The letter outlines some upcoming compliance activities which will commence in late April and early May 2012 in relation to the Information Publication Scheme.
Updated financial delegations
The OAIC's financial delegations have been updated to take account of organisational structure changes
Redaction and Freedom of Information
The OAIC has released advice for government agencies on redaction and freedom of information
Privacy Act 1988 s6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
'artFIDO Pty Ltd' has been added to the OAIC's Privacy Act 'Opt-in' Register.
Privacy Act 1988 s6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
'Pixel Perfection Pty Ltd' has been added to the OAIC's Privacy Act 'Opt-in' Register.
Privacy Act 1988 s6EA(3) Opt-in Register update
'Position Marketing' has been added to the OAIC's Privacy Act 'Opt-in' Register. Section 6EA of the Privacy Act 1988 allows small business operators, who would otherwise not be covered by the Act, to choose to be treated as an organisation for the purposes of the Act and therefore subject to the National Privacy Principles. Businesses opting-in to be covered by the Privacy Act are making a public commitment to good privacy practice.
OAIC Organisational Chart as at 24 February 2012
Latest OAIC file and contracts lists published pursuant to standing Senate orders
Privacy Case Notes - 13 new privacy case notes published
Our privacy case notes are summaries of finalised privacy complaints that involve interpretation of the Privacy Act 1988 or associated legislation in new circumstances, illustrate systemic issues or illustrate the application of the law to a particular industry or subject area. These case notes will now also be published on AustLII under a new citation AICmrCN (Australian Information Commissioner Case Notes). This citation is separate from the decisions citation 'AICmr' under which Privacy Act s 52 determinations are published. The previous AustLII citation of PrivCmrA has been discontinued. Both the AICmr and AICmrCN series include freedom of information matters.
Privacy Fact Sheet - Digital photocopiers: inadvertent collection and storage of personal information
This fact sheet is for Australian Government agencies and private sector organisations that are covered by the Privacy Act 1988 and that use digital photocopiers or multi-function printers that incorporate digital scanning technology.
Public holidays and agency shut-down periods - Calculating timeframes under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
Information to help Australian Government agencies calculate when a freedom of information request processing period commences and ends during holiday and shut-down periods.
2 December: Freedom of Information Act 1982 Annual Report 2010-11 published
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 Annual Report 2010-11, a joint report of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information is now available.
25 October Freedom of Information Guidelines - Part 8 formally issued - Decisions on freedom of information requests
The Information Commissioner has issued Part 8 of the FOI guidelines on agency decision making on FOI requests. This Part outlines; the principles of good decision making under the FOI Act, the types of decisions that can be made on requests for access to documents, when and how to prepare a statement of reasons, the timeframes for making a decision, deemed decisions, release of documents to an applicant, public access to information released to an applicant, protections where access is given. As well as the issuing of Part 8, the Information Commissioner has also issued revised Parts 1 to 5 of the FOI Guidelines (minor amendments only). Other revised Parts will be issued in the near future.
5 September - OAIC's Enterprise Agreement 2011-2014
The OAIC's new enterprise agreement for 2011 - 2014 has been approved by Fair Work Australia and operates from 24 August 2011. This agreement sets outs the current terms and conditions for employees of the OAIC.
23 August - OAIC's Senate Government Contracts Order listing for year ending 30 June 2011
Under a Senate order each Australian Government agency is required to list contracts worth $100,000 or more on their website. This is the OAIC's list for the 12 months to 30 June 2011.
18 August - OAIC's Senate File List for Jan - June 2011
Under a Senate order government agencies are required to list the names of files created every 6 months (with some exceptions). This is the OAIC's list for the 6 motnhs to 30 June 2011.
16 August - New credit provider determinations
The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has announced the making of three new credit provider determinations covering Assignees, Classes of Credit Providers and Indigenous Business Australia. These determinations allow certain entities to be 'credit providers' for the purposes of the Privacy Act. By being granted 'credit provider' status, an entity is able to undertake credit reporting activities, including accessing credit reports, listing overdue payments and serious credit infringements, updating existing default listings and correcting previously reported information.
15 August - Consultation: Tax File Number Guidelines review
The OAIC is seeking your views on its draft revised Tax File Number (TFN) Guidelines. The TFN Guidelines protect individuals' privacy by restricting the use of TFN information. Closing date for comments is 15 September 2011.
OAIC Organisational Chart updated
The OAIC has updated its published organisational chart.
27 July - Consultation: Draft Disclosure Log Determination
The OAIC has released for public comment, draft Disclosure Log Determination No 1 exempt documents. The Information Commissioner proposes to make this determination under s 11C(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). The effect of this determination would be that agencies and Ministers would not be required to publish information prescribed by the determination, in their disclosure log.
FOI Guidelines Part 3 - Processing requests for access
Part 3 of the FOI Guidelines, on processing requests for access to documents, has been issued by the Australian Information Commissioner.
Minor amendment to Privacy Complaint Handling manual
A minor amendment to the second paragraph of Section 41(2)(b) of Part 13 of the manual (The respondent has not had an adequate opportunity to deal with the matter) has been made.
07 June - OAIC Strategic Plan 2011
OAIC Strategic Plan 2011 - 2014 is now available online
Principles on open public sector information
The Principles on open public sector information were released on 25 May 2011. The Principles will be applied by the OAIC in its role of monitoring compliance by Australian Government agencies with the publication objectives of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
2011-12 Budget
The OAIC's 2011-12 budget (PBS) released
OAIC Agency Plan
The OAIC's finalised agency IPS plan (April 2011)
Organisational chart
The OAIC's organistaional chart (April 2011)
Statutory appointments
The OAIC's statutory appointments (April 2011)
These news come from IPS - Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
NSW Privacy Laws - Privacy NSW : Lawlink NSW
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WebLaw - Privacy
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AustLII - Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library
You are here: AustLII >> Resources >> Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library. On this page: About this Library | Databases | Catalog ..
Emerging Challenges in Privacy Law: Australasian and EU ..
Privacy law event logo. Date: Thursday 23 & Friday 24 February 2012. Venue: Monash University Law Chambers 555 Lonsdale Street ..
Data Surveillance and Information Privacy Law - Home Page
Data Surveillance & Information Privacy Law 2008 .. Welcome to students in LAWS3037 Data Surveillance and Information Privacy Law, Semester 2, 2008 at ..
PRIVACY ACT 1988
Saving of certain State and Territory laws 3A. Application of the Criminal Code 4. Act to bind the Crown 5. Interpretation of Information Privacy Principles 5A.
Information Privacy Act 2009 - Queensland Legislation
Information Privacy Act 2009. Page 2. 2009 Act No. 14. 22. Meaning of processing period and transfer period for ch 3 . . . . . 19. 23. What it means to disclose ..
Graham Greenleaf's Global Table of Data Privacy Laws
The criteria used to determine what is a 'data privacy law' (essentially, a law to minimal international standards covering most of private sector, ..
Privacy and Confidentiality Acts - University of Western Sydney
The Federal privacy Act 1988 is Australia's national law for the protection of personal information when handled by Federal and ACT Government Agencies and ..
Far from sinister, privacy laws might mean media does its job better
There is a monster under the bed, frightening young and old. That monster is the proposal for a tort of breach of privacy.It is time that we turned ..
'The Global Trajectory of Data Privacy Laws' Theme: 'Global ..
development of data privacy laws? ▪ What implications (if any) do these developments have for how Europe should reform its own laws? ▪ What do they tell us ..
The Conceptual Basis of Personal Information in Australian Privacy ..
by M Burdon - 2010 - an integral requirement of information privacy law as it determines what information is .. not construed uniformly in Australian privacy laws and that different ..
Why loosening genetic privacy law is a recipe for fear and frustration
Doctors are supposed to keep patient information confidential unless told otherwise, right? Well, not any longer.If you're diagnosed with a ..
Why privacy laws should not be a game of roulette
Watching other people is human. It's why TV shows like Big Brother, and paparazzi magazines flourish. But while some people choose to ..
Emerging Challenges in Privacy Law .. - Monash University
This conference will consider a wide range of current and emerging issues in Australian privacy law, provide commentary on the law reform agenda, and discuss ..
UTS: Privacy - Communications Law Centre
In Australia, there is no general right of an individual to privacy. Laws such as confidential information and trespass may sometimes be used to ..
Holmes Institute - About Holmes - Legal And Privacy - Holmes ..
The Legal, Privacy Statement and Terms and Conditions Agreement of this website .. The National Privacy Principles established in Australia by the Privacy Act ..
Electronic workplace surveillance and employee privacy – A ..
by JR Watt - 2009 - Workplace privacy, employee privacy rights, electronic monitoring, workplace surveillance .. other workplace privacy laws in Australia and the United States.
Conduct and Compliance Procedure - Privacy (Monash University)
The Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic) sets out ten information privacy principles (IPPs) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) sets out 11 ..
Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 No 133
New South Wales. Privacy and Personal Information. Protection Act 1998 No 133. Contents. Page. Part 1 Preliminary. 1 Name of Act. 2. 2 Commencement. 2 ..
Melbourne Conference: "Emerging Challenges in Privacy Law ..
The conference is directed at legal professionals working in the field of privacy; privacy officers in government and private enterprise; policy ..
Data Surveillance and Information Privacy Law
FACULTY OF LAW, School of Law. LAWS3037. Data Surveillance and. Information Privacy Law. SEMESTER 2, 2008. Course Outline. (Statement of Objectives ..
INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT 2009 - AustLII
Meaning of entity to which the privacy principles do not apply 20. Special provision about application of Act other than ch 3 to a Minister 21. Meaning of public ..
RESPONDING TO SUBPOENAS – THE LAW RELATING TO ..
the Information Privacy Act 2000 or 'health information' the. Health Records Act 2001? The Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Information Privacy Act 2000 ..
INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT 2000
INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT 2000. No. 98 of 2000 Version incorporating amendments as at 1 August 2011 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Section Page PART ..
PRIVACY ACT 1988 - SCHEDULE 3 National Privacy Principles
(e) any law that requires the particular information to be collected; and. (f) the main consequences (if any) for the individual if all or part of the information is not ..
Privacy – Legal Office
The University is subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). As a result, the University must comply with the 11 Information Privacy ..
Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII)
Aviation Law · Health Practitioner Law · Human Rights · Indigenous Law · Intellectual Property Law · Military Law · Privacy Law · Taxation Law · Workplace Law ..
PRIVACY ACT 1988 - NOTES
PRIVACY ACT
1988 - NOTES. Act No. 119 of 1988 as amended. This compilation was prepared on 27 December 2011 taking into account amendments up to ..
Care don't share: what Medvet breach says about Australian privacy ..
Participation in Australian society involves providing information about yourself to both public and private sector organisations.Such information ..
Exemptions In The Privacy Laws (Privacy at Monash)
Exemptions in the privacy laws - Privacy at Monash.
Graham Greenleaf's Web Pages
23 February 2012, Melbourne – Monash University Emerging Challenges in Privacy Law: Australasian and EU Perspectives Conference: Paper on 'The global ..
Tabula Rasa': Ten Reasons why Australian Privacy Law .. - AustLII
by G GREENLEAF[1] In 2001, Australia still has nothing worth describing as a body of privacy law, even though a quarter of a century has passed since the Privacy Committee Act ..
UTS: Privacy pre 2010 - Communications Law Centre
In Australia, there is no general right of an individual to privacy. Laws such as confidential information and trespass may sometimes be used to ..
E Law: Genetic Non-Discrimination, Privacy and Property Rights
A recent article in the Privacy Law and Policy Reporter succinctly stated the defining aspects of genetic information: "- a persons genetic characteristics influence ..
The Information Privacy Principles (IPP) (Monash University)
The Information Privacy Act has created new privacy rights that enable individual's to exercise greater control over how an organisation collects ..
PRIVACY ACT 1988 - SECT 14 Information Privacy Principles
PRIVACY ACT
1988 - SECT 14. Information Privacy Principles. The Information Privacy Principles are as follows: Information Privacy Principles. Principle 1 ..
Privacy Training Guide - Griffith University
Government's privacy legislation: Information Privacy Act. 2009. - To explain the 11 Information Privacy Principles in relation to the collection, storage, use and ..
At Last â•fi Enforceable Privacy Rights in Australia? The Potential for ..
by T Gygar - 2000 - personal privacy and are predicting movements in the law of Australia. .. general privacy laws aimed at legislatively restricting 'freedom of the press', it would be ..
Privacy - Legal Services @ UOW
There is no clear definition of privacy in the Commonwealth and NSW privacy laws that apply to the University. According to Privacy NSW, ..
Privacy and information security in law cyberspace - Monash ..
Privacy and information security in law cyberspace.
Privacy Courts & Case-Law - AustLII
Privacy Law
and Policy Reporter; Inquiry: Access to severance payment details [1994] PLPR 118. Disclosure of personal information concerning third parties ..
Privacy Law (Formerly Privacy and Data Protection .. - Subject Details
The legal frameworks that deal with privacy and data protection have a long history but are coming under pressure to adapt to a more complex ..
Privacy at Monash University The Privacy Laws
Freedom of Information law continues to apply. For further information about obtaining access to your personal information please contact the privacy ..
Legal Services
The University is subject to Commonwealth and NSW privacy laws, which protect the privacy of a person's personal or health information ("Privacy Laws").
Bruce Arnold : Faculty of Law : University of Canberra
Bruce has a particular interest in privacy, data protection, confidentiality, biometrics, LBGTIQ law, animal law, patents, trade marks and the law ..
Dr David Lindsay, Monash Law
David has published many articles in the areas of copyright law, communications law, privacy law and media law. Since 2007, he has been a ..
AustLII - Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library
Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library. Interpreting Privacy Principles .. GENETIC PRIVACY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION BILL 1998 [2002] ..
Privacy - The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Our doctors, nurses and other staff are bound by law, by NSW Health privacy policy and by a strict code of conduct to maintain confidentiality of ..
Privacy Act - Leibler Yavneh College
1.1 Leibler Yavneh College ("the College") is bound by the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and in accordance with the ..
UNSW Handbook Course - Surveillance Security and Democracy ..
How does technology impinge on civil liberties? Key concepts in privacy laws / surveillance; Key concepts in security; Essential knowledge of the technologies ..
ANU Policies - Policy- Privacy - Statement on the Collection, Use ..
This Act embodies 11 Information Privacy Principles which apply to collectors of personal .. Under the Privacy Act 1988 personal information is defined as: ..
Privacy Act.qxd
respected the rights of the individual to privacy and have tried to reflect this through policy and practice. The information contained in this brochure is a brief ..
TAFE NSW - DEC / TAFE Web Sites Privacy Statement
The Department of Education and Communities ("the Department"), including TAFE NSW, is subject to the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act ..
Information Privacy Policy - JCU
The Information Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act) provides individuals with a legally enforceable right of access to, and amendment of, their own personal information ..
Conference program - Monash University - Faculty of Law - Monash ..
25+ items – Emerging Challenges in Privacy Law: Australasian and EU ..
Time
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Program details
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8.45 - 9.15
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Registration/Coffee
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Session 1: Australian privacy law reform
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Chair: Dr Normann Witzleb, Monash ..
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Graham Greenleaf | UNSW LAW
He teaches and researches in the areas of cyberspace law, privacy, .. Computerisation of law Cyberspace law; Privacy law Intellectual property Legal ..
E Law: Employers'Rights to Monitor Employee Email Under United ..
(a) Congressional Efforts to Protect Employees' Privacy Rights · (b) The Individual Right to Privacy in Cyberspace Bound to Face Fierce Opposition ..
Greenleaf 'Enforcement of the Privacy Act: Problems and potential'
The Federal Privacy Act 1988 has been in operation for twelve years, in relation to the Federal public sector, and for almost a decade in relation ..
Guidelines Under Section 95 of the Privacy ACT 1988
federal Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act), which deals with personal information .. Section 14 of the Privacy Act sets out eleven Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) ..
Privacy law in Australia - Deakin Research Online
by C Doyle - 2012 - - Privacy law in Australia. Doyle, Carolyn and Bagaric, Mirko 2005, Privacy law in Australia Federation Press, Annandale, N.S.W.
Student Privacy and Disclosure Statement - Legal Services @ UOW
Under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW), and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW), the ..
AustLII - Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library
Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library .. CROSS-BORDER LAW ENFORCEMENT LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2005 · INFORMATION PRIVACY ..
Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age - Monash University
4 days ago – As the emergence of new technologies and new media threatening to undermine existing privacy laws, Monash University's Faculty of Law and ..
University Secretary's Department - Privacy Policy : The University of ..
The Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic) ('Act') contains ten Information Privacy Principles ('IPP') that organisations who are subject to the Act are ..
AustLII - Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library
Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts. ADOPTION ACT 1993 · HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 2004 · HEALTH RECORDS (PRIVACY AND ACCESS) ACT 1997 ..
Privacy policy - Open Universities Australia
Under the Privacy Act 1988 ("the Act"), Open Universities Australia Pty Ltd (formerly OLA) is required to comply with 10 National Privacy Principles ("NPPs").
Personal information privacy plan
This Privacy Plan represents the integration of the Information Privacy Principles, set out in the Information Privacy Act 2009, schedule 3, into the University's ..
WebLaw - Health Law
20+ items – Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997 (ACT) ..
AB v The Attorney-General for the State of Victoria [2005] VSC 180
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Breen v Williams (1996) 186 CLR 71
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Privacy Law (formerly Privacy and Data Protection .. - Subject Details
Understand the evolving body of Australian law that recognises and protects 'privacy'; Be able to evaluate Australia's privacy law regime, ..
Dr Normann Witzleb, Monash Law
'Exposure Draft of the New Australian Privacy Principles - The first stage of reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)' (2011) 39 Australian Business Law Review 58- ..
AustLII - Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library
Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library. Interpreting Privacy Principles .. DEATHS AND MARRIAGES REGISTRATION ACT · INFORMATION ACT ..
UNSW - Educational Assessment Australia - Privacy Policy
Educational Assessment Australia is covered by the Federal Privacy (Private Sector) Amendment Act 2000. The Act sets out privacy principles that regulate the ..
PRIVACY ACT
PRIVACY ACT. What is the Commonwealth Privacy Act? The purpose of the Commonwealth Privacy Act is to establish a nationally consistent approach to the ..
UNSW Handbook Course - Data Surveillance & Information Privacy ..
Data Surveillance & Information Privacy Law - JURD7437. Law Books .. All organised societies face the problem of controlling, by law, the use of force.
PRIVACY ACT AND GUIDELINES
- PRIVACY ACT AND GUIDELINES. In its original form the Privacy Act 1998 applied mainly to public sector agencies. In December 2000 the Privacy Amendment ..
Do we need a right to privacy? - News and Events - University of ..
On 12 September Sydney Law School at the University of Sydney brings together some of Australia's foremost experts on privacy laws to ..
The Privacy Act (Privacy at Monash)
Private sector amendments to the Privacy Act took effect from the 21st December 2001. With limited exemptions, private sector bodies and ..
PRIVACY ACT 1988 - SECT 6C Organisations
PRIVACY ACT
1988 - SECT 6C. Organisations. What is an organisation ? (1) In this Act: "organisation" means: (a) an individual; or. (b) a body corporate; or ..
Links, Privacy - Australian Institute of Administrative Law
University public law sites. Privacy. NSW Privacy Commissioner · Click here to visit the link. Office of the Privacy Commissioner of New Zealand · Click here to ..
The Health Privacy Principles (Monash University)
The Health Records Act has created new privacy rights that enable individual's to exercise greater control over how an organisation collects, ..
QUT | MOPP | F/6.2 Information privacy
Jump to : For the purposes of the Information Privacy Act, the Vice-Chancellor, as the chief ..
Privacy Policy - University of Wollongong
References &. Legislation. Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act, 1998 (NSW) ("PPIPA") · Health Records and Information Privacy Act, 2002 ("HRIPA") ..
Faculty of Law : Bruce Arnold
Bruce has a particular interest in privacy, data protection, confidentiality, biometrics, LBGTIQ law, animal law, patents, trade marks and the law ..
AustLII - Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library
FOOD ACT 2003 · HOMEFUND COMMISSIONER ACT 1993 · HEALTH RECORDS AND INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT 2002 · HEALTH SERVICES ACT 1997 ..
UNSW Privacy Management Plan
Privacy Act") provides for the protection of personal information collected and held by the .. Section 33 of the Privacy Act requires the University to prepare and ..
Privacy Act 1988 - Schedule 3--National Privacy Principles
(e) any law that requires the particular information to be collected; and. (f) the main consequences (if any) for the individual if all or part of the information is not ..
Griffith University privacy plan - Griffith University
In accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 and the Right to Information Act 2009, the University developed a privacy plan. This plan is reviewed and ..
"Privacy law: Australia: Conflict of laws issues associated with an act ..
by DJB Svantesson - 2007Recent developments indicate that Australia may be ready to recognise an action for interference with privacy. Similar progress can be seen in some other ..
Roger Clarke's 'What's Privacy?'
by R Clarke - 2006 - - Roger Clarke's 'What's Privacy?' What's 'Privacy'? Roger Clarke **. Version of 7 August 2006. Prepared for a Workshop at the Australian Law Reform ..
Federal Privacy Laws Policy
Federal Privacy Laws became effective from 21 December 2001. The legislation regulates the way schools can collect, use, keep secure and disclose personal ..
Privacy - About the University @ UOW
There is no clear definition of privacy in the Commonwealth and NSW privacy laws that apply to the University. According to Privacy NSW, ..
Privacy statement
The University of South Australia respects the privacy of your personal information by adhering to privacy laws. This page outlines how the University manages ..
PRIVACY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION ACT 1998
PRIVACY
AND PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION ACT 1998. - As at 24 November 2011 - Act 133 of 1998 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Long Title PART 1 ..
Sydney Children's Hospital - Privacy Statement
An individual's right to privacy is respected by NSW Health and is protected under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and the Health ..
Information Privacy Policy
The University will observe the Information Privacy Principles specified in the Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic), and the Health Privacy Principles specified in ..
Frequently Asked Questions - Right to Information and Privacy Office ..
The Information Privacy Act 2009 is a Queensland law and came into effect on 1 July 2009. The Act applies to the University and its employees ..
workplace confidentiality guidelines
The Privacy Act 1988 contains a set of principles called the National Privacy Principles (NPPs). These principles provide definitions of personal and sensitive ..
HEALTH RECORDS AND INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT 2002 ..
Amendment of health information held by public sector agencies may also be able to be sought under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 .
AustLII - Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library
Australian Privacy and Surveillance Law Library. Interpreting Privacy Principles .. POLICE POWERS (SURVEILLANCE DEVICES) ACT 2006 (NO. 22 OF 2006)
Privacy law
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
- -NSW Privacy Laws - Privacy NSW : Lawlink NSW
The invasion of privacy, including the misuse of personal information, is unlawful under various state and federal laws which govern both the ..
International privacy law
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Individuals
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Law reform - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Below is information about the Australian Law Reform Commission's Report 108; For Your Information - Australian Privacy Law and Practice ..
Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
National Privacy Principles
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Law - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
State and Territory privacy laws
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy Law Reform
Speech by Karen Curtis, Privacy Commissioner, to the Clayton Utz Breakfast Seminar, Canberra, 8 November 2007.
Victoria - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Q v Law Firm [2010] PrivCmrA 20 - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Improperly collecting and disclosing personal information.
Privacy Regulations
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Law reform - Australian Privacy Commissioner
11 August 2008 The Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has welcomed the release of the final report of the privacy law review undertaken by ..
Credit reporting - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Part IIIA of the Privacy Act provides safeguards for individuals in relation to consumer credit reporting. In particular, Part IIIA governs the ..
Law enforcement and national security - Australian Privacy ..
PRIVACY ACT 1988 (PART VI) Applicant: The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) Nature of Application: Disclosure of ..
Applying the Privacy Act
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy Victoria - Privacy Laws
Most privacy laws are more correctly described as data protection laws, as they are limited to regulating the handling of personal information by organisations.
Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act .. - NSW Legislation
An Act to provide for the protection of personal information, and for the protection of the privacy of individuals generally; to provide for the ..
Snapshot of the Privacy Act for Small Business
The Federal Privacy Act 1988 sets rules for businesses handling personal information. It also allows individuals to make a complaint if personal ..
Information Privacy Principles
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Do I have rights under the Privacy Act when I use social networking ..
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Australian Capital Territory - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Anti-money laundering - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Western Australia - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Law enforcement and national security - Australian Privacy ..
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy Act snapshot
Get a short overview of what the Privacy Act covers and how it works.
Privacy Act 1988
Privacy Act 1988. Act No. 119 of 1988 as amended. This compilation was prepared on 1 November 2010 taking into account amendments up to ..
Privacy Act - 20 years
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Government data-matching - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Much of the data-matching done by agencies subject to the Privacy Act aims to identify people for further action or investigation. For example ..
Health and genetic information - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Queensland - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
The Social Agenda: Law Enforcement and Privacy
Speech by Karen Curtis, Privacy Commissioner, to International Policing: Towards 2020 Conference 2007,ÿCanberra, 20 November 2007.
Guidelines and Information Sheets - Australian Privacy Commissioner
The Office assists agencies, organisations and individuals to understand their rights and obligations under the Privacy Act by releasing a wide ..
Information Sheet (Private Sector) 1A: National Privacy Principles
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy Victoria - Private Lives: Your Guide to Privacy Law in Victoria
Media Release: Private Lives: Your Guide to Privacy Law in Victoria, 5 March 2003. These days, we often find a 'privacy statement' at the foot of bills and forms ..
Public Interest Determinations - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Part VI of the Privacy Act gives the Privacy Commissioner the power to determine that an act or practice of an Australian or ACT Government ..
Who owns my medical records? - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Criminal records - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Tasmania - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Appeal rights - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Consultation Paper 1, Family Violence - Improving Legal ..
The Office, established under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act), has responsibilities for the protection of individuals' personal ..
Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 - Privacy NSW ..
Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. The HRIP Act has commenced on 1 September 2004. Brief introduction to the HRIP Act ..
IPPs - Plain English Summary - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
NPPs - Plain English Summary - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Determinations - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
South Australia - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy Law Reform - Consistency, Simplicity, Clarity
Speech by Karen Curtis, Privacy Commissioner, to the Melbourne Law School on Privacy Law Reform - Consistency, Simplicity, Clarity, ..
Audits - Australian Privacy Commissioner
The Privacy Commissioner has powers under the Privacy Act 1988 to audit Australian and ACT government agencies and in some cases ..
Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits - Australian Privacy ..
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
For Your Information: Australian Privacy Law and Practice (ALRC ..
ALRC Report 108 (tabled August 2008) represents the culmination of a 28 month inquiry into the extent to which the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and ..
Telecommunications Act 1997 - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Australian Law Reform Commission's Review of Secrecy Laws ..
February 2009 Key recommendations 1. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (the Office) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission ..
Privacy codes and opt-ins
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
New South Wales - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy, Health Information and Employee Records: Implications of ..
Implications of New Commonwealth Privacy Laws'. A staff paper by .. extend the coverage of the Privacy Act 1988 to most organisations in the. Australian ..
Healthcare Identifiers - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Health and medical research - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Federal Health Privacy Law and options for Reform
Speech by Nari Sahukar, Deputy Director (A/g), Policy, to the Medico Legal Congress 2008, Sydney, 27 February 2008.
Privacy Reforms
The ALRC report recommends 295 changes to improve Australia's privacy framework (with further information available at the Australian Law ..
Can i get access to the personal information - Australian Privacy ..
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy Laws and Business Roundtable
Karen Curtis. Privacy Commissioner of Australia. Privacy Laws and Business Roundtable. 13 September 2005. Suisse-Majestic Hotel, Montreux, Switzerland ..
Northern Territory - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Australian Health Privacy Law - Options for Reform
Speech by Andrew Solomon, Director, Policy, to Health Privacy Futures 2008 Conference, Brisbane, 10 November 2008.
Health service providers - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Are there rules about recording or monitoring my telephone ..
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
A Snapshot of the Privacy Act for Small Business
The Federal Privacy Act 1988 sets rules for businesses handling personal information. .. unincorporated associations, need to comply with the Privacy Act.
Federal Health Privacy Law and options for Reform
I refer in particular to the inquiry into privacy law that the Australian Law .. The Privacy Act initially covered the handling of personal information by. Australian ..
Business - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Case notes - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Photos and surveillance - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
News & Media | ALRC - Australian Law Reform Commission
All, Aboriginal Customary Laws, Age barriers, Aged care legislation for the .. Privacy (1976-83), Privacy (2006-08), Proceeds of Crime Act 1987 ..
Privacy Law in Evolution: Across the Pacific
Unlike Mark Antony, Australian privacy law, by design, attempts to be .. Today I propose to talk to you about the evolution of privacy law in Australia by: ..
Privacy law and practice | ALRC
This 28 month inquiry looked at the extent to which the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and related laws continue to provide an effective framework for ..
Media Release: Privacy law doesn't risk lives
"A recent media article stating that 'Privacy laws risk lives' is inaccurate. Under the Privacy Act if a genetic test is conducted on an individual, ..
Other legislation - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Information Sheet (Private Sector) 7 - 2001 - Australian Privacy ..
The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act) seeks to balance the privacy of individuals with the public interest in law enforcement and the ..
Information Privacy Act 2009
Information Privacy Act 2009. Page 2. 2009 Act No. 14. 22. Meaning of processing period and transfer period for ch 3 . . . . . 19. 23. What it means to disclose ..
Privacy - Department of Immigration & Citizenship
The Privacy Act 1988 defines personal information as 'information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or ..
Small business - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Privacy - Law Reform Commission : Lawlink NSW
The desirability of a consistent legislative approach to privacy in the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, the Health Records ..
Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits - Guidelines Review
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Guidelines on Workplace E-mail, Web Browsing and Privacy
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Inquiries | ALRC - Australian Law Reform Commission
Family violence and Commonwealth laws .. employment law, social security law, superannuation law and privacy provisions in relation to those experiencing ..
Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 - Privacy NSW ..
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (or PPIP Act) deals with how all NSW public sector agencies manage personal ..
Media Release: Reform of NSW privacy laws needed to promote ..
27 October 2008 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has welcomed the NSW Law Reform Commissions (NSWLRC) proposal ..
Exposure draft of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law ..
basis of the privacy protections in the law which will be applied by each participating .. businesses. The Office also has responsibilities under the Privacy Act in ..
Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission's Review of ..
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
How does the Privacy Act apply to commercial electronic messages ..
The Privacy Act only applies to some commercial electronic messages. .. whether the sender is covered by the Privacy Act; whether personal ..
Privacy and law Reform
Now I hope none of you think that Australian privacy law is as great a tragedy as .. believe it would be a great tragedy, if we were in this era of privacy law reform ..
Personal Property Securities Register - Australian Privacy ..
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Media Release: Amend Privacy Act to address security breaches ..
8 March 2007 While noting that the Privacy Act has generally worked well, the Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has recommended to the ..
Privacy Act: Implications for DOCEP
Robin McKenzie. Senior Policy Adviser. Office of the Federal Privacy. Commissioner. Privacy Act: implications for. DOCEP. 22 August 2002 ..
Information Sheet (Private Sector) 12 - 2001 Coverage of and ..
This information sheet aims to help organisations work out if the private sector provisions in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act) apply to ..
Information Sheet (Private Sector) 26 - 2008: Interaction between the ..
The Privacy Act may also regulate such activity where it involves the use of 'personal information' by private sector organisations that fall within ..
Enforcement of the Federal Privacy Act--What you can expect from ..
What you can expect from the Federal. Privacy Commissioner. Brant Pridmore, Director, Compliance. Privacy Law Conference, May 2001 ..
What organisations are covered by the Privacy Act?
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
History - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Background to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth); Passage of the Privacy Bill .. The Privacy Act was passed by federal Parliament at the end of 1988.
Legal Professional Privilege and .. - Australian Privacy Commissioner
statutory body whose purpose is to promote and protect privacy in Australia. The Office, established under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act), ..
Queensland Law Reform Commission Guardianship Review Stage ..
Section 6 of the Privacy Act defines personal information as meaning .. Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act as information or opinion, that is also ..
Internet Resource Guide:Civil and Human Rights Law Resources
Jump to : Very detailed and current information on privacy law. Includes a chronology of privacy legislation; Attorney-General's Department Privacy ..
Law enforcement and national security - Australian Privacy ..
7 August 2002 "A recent media article stating that Privacy laws risk lives .. Criminal Law Branch Attorney-Generals Department Robert Garran ..
Complaints - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian Government - Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy. Skip to content ..
Review of the law on Personal Property Securities, Discussion ..
.. to the Attorney-Generals Department February 2007 Office of the Privacy .. Protecting Information Rights – Advancing Information Policy ..
Legislation, Policy and Criminal Law Review - Legislation, Policy ..
Welcome to the website of the Legislation, Policy and Criminal Law Review Division of the Department of Attorney General and Justice.
Pages - Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government Attorney-General's Department. Attorney Generals Department .. Trade law. International Trade law ..
Links - Australian Privacy Commissioner
Australian state and territory privacy laws .. Queensland: Department of Justice and Attorney-General; South Australia: Privacy Committee ..
Review of Australia's Mutual Assistance Law and Practice ..
Submission to the Attorney-Generals Department October 2006 Summary Office of the Privacy Commissioner Background and Discussion ..
Powers of Attorney | Public Trustee - ACT
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives a trusted person, the legal .. We exercise tact, empathy, discretion and respect the rights and privacy of our ..
Privacy Reforms
The Privacy and Freedom of Information Policy Branch within the .. to the Attorney-General's Department as the Information Law and Policy ..
AGS - Australian Government Solicitor - Spotlight
AGS has a team of lawyers specialising in privacy and FOI law. For further information on these issues, please contact Avinesh (T 02 6253 ..
Speeches by The Hon Michael Kirby - High Court of Australia
Of 'Sham' and Other Lessons for Australian Revenue Law, Melbourne University ... New Zealand, 28 March 2003, 25 Years of Evolving Information Privacy Law ..
Problems with the Privacy Act - Australian Law Reform Commission
other third party assistants, including lawyers, financial counsellors and social .. Current privacy laws are so heavily weighted against information flow that it is ..
Professional Development Program - Administrative Law for Non ..
Home >> Circulars >> Historical Circulars >> Professional Development Program - Administrative Law for Non-Lawyers and the Privacy Act (1988) - What You ..
Strategic Policy, Legal and Executive Services - Department of ..
receiving and dealing with complaints about the conduct of lawyers and law practice employees; commencing investigations on our own ..
Power of attorney (Victoria Online)
Provides information about the different types of Powers of Attorney that exist and your rights and responsibilities when appointing someone to act on your behalf ..
Law reform - Australian Privacy Commissioner
31 January 2006 Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, has welcomed the Attorney Generals announcement that the Australian Law Reform ..
Civil rights
You Are Here; Home -; Topics -; Law and justice -; Civil rights .. The privacy.gov.au site will be maintained until a site incorporating all OAIC material is ..
Unauthorised Photographs on the Internet And Ancillary Privacy ..
Standing Committee of Attorneys-General or any individual Attorney-. General. ... intersecting areas of the law, i.e. criminal laws; privacy laws; Internet ..
find LEGAL answers - Human Rights - Privacy
Jump to : Title: Federal privacy handbook: a guide to federal privacy law and practice. About: Information Privacy Principles, public ..
Consultation Paper 1 (2007) - Invasion of privacy - Law Reform ..
[i]n the law of privacy …, the contrast between Europe and the United .. German lawyers, responding to the need to bring the law of delict into ..
State Records Commissioners | SRO
Sven also practised law in the private sector in Melbourne and Perth, where he .. as one of the leading lawyers in the areas of information and privacy law in the ..
LEGAL PRACTICE BOARD
Purpose. This policy outlines the privacy obligations and requirements of the Legal .. check whether lawyers, foreign lawyers or law practices with whom they ..
Process of reform | ALRC - Australian Law Reform Commission
In this Inquiry, the Advisory Committee includes current and former Privacy .. and practising lawyers with expertise in privacy, health law and e-commerce; and ..
Australian Governmnet Solicitor Legal Briefing 2002 - Outsourcing
AGS – THE LEADING LAWYERS TO GOVERNMENT – INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS. Outsourcing: Agency Obligations under the Privacy Act. The Privacy ..
Publications & Links - Privacy NSW : Lawlink NSW
Privacy – Update on State and Federal Privacy Laws Presentation by Deputy Privacy Commissioner to Government Lawyers CLE Convention, ..
Archive - Privacy NSW : Lawlink NSW
Privacy – Update on State and Federal Privacy Laws Presentation by Deputy Privacy Commissioner to Government Lawyers CLE Convention, ..
Privacy Policy | Victorian Government Solicitor's Office | VGSO
The office provides strategic advice and practical legal solutions across diverse areas of law. The VGSO is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality ..
ALRC in the media - 2011 - Australian Law Reform Commission
Open & Shut - 13 September 2011; Far from sinister, privacy laws might .. on journey to protect privacy | Lawyers Weekly - 7 September 2011 ..
Commercial and public law - Department of Justice and Attorney..
Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. Crown Law provided advice about information privacy issues for the ..
Watching over Civil Justice | Victorian Law Reform Commission
He said the government will work towards national workplace privacy law reform through the Standing Committee of Attorneys General but would take its own ..
State Solicitor's Office
Widely recognised as a leading law office, the State Solicitor's Office is also the longest standing legal office in Perth having been established ..
Scrutinising Privacy - ALRC Discussion Paper - Australian Law ..
On 30 January 2006 the then federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, referred a review of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) to the Australian Law ..
Senior Lawyer, (PO5)
The Senior Lawyer reports to the Director, Legal and Administrative Law Branch, .. commercial, corporate, trade practices law, litigation privacy and information ..
Taking photographs and other images - Australian Law Reform ..
Some considered that privacy laws are an appropriate method for regulating this .. Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, Unauthorised Photographs on the ..
Client focused solutions - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Crown Law acted for the Attorney-General and instructed counsel to .. Privacy; QCAT – The new 'super' tribunal; Granting rights to access and ..
The state of play in administrative law
Australian Government Solicitor the leading lawyers to government. Australian .. privacy law, but records management, secrecy and technology reform. FOI ..
Katie Miller | Victorian Government Solicitor's Office | VGSO
Freedom of Information & Privacy; Government & Public Law. Katie completed her articles at the Australian Government Solicitor in 2004 and over the next six ..
Carolyn Doyle | Victorian Government Solicitor's Office | VGSO
Victorian Government Solicitor's Office | VGSO .. Managing Principal Solicitor .. areas of expertise include commercial law and procurement, IP and privacy.
Privacy Codes of Practice - Privacy NSW : Lawlink NSW
Lawlink > privacynsw > NSW Privacy Laws > Privacy Codes of .. Codes must be approved by the Attorney General and published in the ..
Compliance burden and cost - Australian Law Reform Commission
At the April 2006 meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, Attorneys-General .. Do privacy laws cause an unjustified compliance burden?
Accessing departmental information - Department of Justice and ..
Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report .. The Information Privacy Act 2009 regulates how Queensland Government agencies manage personal ..
Privacy - Access to Justice
The Attorney-General's Department is subject to the Privacy Act 1988 which .. except in the unlikely event of an investigation by a law enforcement agency.
Right to information and privacy applications received - Department ..
Search Justice and Attorney-General .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report .. Data snapshots of Right to Information and Information Privacy ..
ALCC | Australian Libraries Copyright Committee
The Attorney-General's Department has just released its guidelines on the kinds of .. (ALRC) has released a discussion paper reviewing Australian privacy law.
Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act 2011 - Department of ..
Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. and legal advice should be sought if you are in doubt about your legal rights.
Law in Queensland - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
.. Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) · Types of .. Laws. Laws are made to provide people with a set of guidelines by which to .. and Attorney-General department implements all the state's laws.
DIANNE HADDEN, LAWYER
person's privacy rights, human rights and the right to a confidential doctor- patient relationship and the right to a confidential lawyer-client ..
About Crown Law - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
.. Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) .. The Crown Solicitor is Crown Law's most senior officer, handling the ..
Queensland's district law associations - Department of Justice and ..
Bundaberg Law Association. Contact Ms Sharon Ferguson. Organisation Highland Ferguson Lawyers. Phone +61 7 4153 3100. Fax ..
Less Adversarial Trials - Family Law Courts Homepage
The judge, rather than the parties or their lawyers, decides what information is put .. The Family Law Courts respect your right to privacy and the security of your ..
Service Commitments - Family Law Courts Homepage
Respect your privacy (unless there are legal requirements to disclose information). Deliver services for parties and lawyers in a safe and secure environment.
Commonwealth Courts Portal
Privacy
and security .. The CCP is a central system that enables a lawyer to log on using a single user ID and password .. Accredited Family Law Specialist" ..
Law Society Regional Offices - Department of Justice and Attorney..
.. Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) · Types of personal information .. Downs and South-West Law Association ..
Report 02.06 Controlled disclosure of criminal .. - Privacy Victoria
Report to the Attorney-General pursuant to section 63(3) of the Information .. Privacy laws alone cannot deliver the balance in the field of criminal record data 13 ..
Publication scheme - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Some we are required to hold by law and others relate to the function of the agency or the laws that we administer. Although privacy and ..
The Family Law Courts and your privacy
Family Law Courts logo links to the homepage .. in your case, or to any other person who has sufficient interest in the information, such as a lawyer or the police.
Seminar - Privacy Law in Queensland: A New Beginning | Office of ..
Seminar - Privacy Law in Queensland: A New Beginning. Places are still available for the .. Mr Patrick Sefton, Principal, Brightline Lawyers. Mr Peter Bickford ..
Job opportunities - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Introduction: a new state · 1860s: the birth of Queensland law · 1870s: .. Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) ..
FAMILY LAW COUNCIL Improving responses to family violence in ..
the booklet "Best Practice Guidelines for Lawyers Doing Family Law Work" to ... the legislation imposed by the Privacy Act and legislative provisions around ..
Home | Victorian Government Solicitor's Office | VGSO
Antonio Mazzone, Managing Principal Solicitor, Litigation & Dispute Resolution .. In the VGSO's final podcast for 2011, we feature the North Melbourne Legal ..
Types of personal information the department holds - Department of ..
Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. The Information Privacy Act 2009 regulates how Queensland Government .. responsibilities under the IP Act is contained in "Your Privacy Rights".
Legal Services Board of Victoria
Running a law practice .. practitioners. To make a complaint about a lawyer please visit the Legal Services Commissioner website. disclaimer · website privacy.
Government Lawyers' Conference, Law Institute Victoria
Government Lawyers' Conference, Law Institute Victoria .. privacy and reputation; freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief; freedom ..
VCAT Appoints Senior VGSO Lawyers | Victorian Government ..
Jonathan leads the Government & Public law team at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) and has over 20 years' experience, ..
Government Response - Attorney-General's Department
- Just as importantly, harmonisation of law relating to succession, powers of .. expertise of representatives from the legal profession, government lawyers and academics. ... The Government supports greater consistency of information privacy ..
What we offer - Areas of law - Privacy and freedom of information
AGS - Australian Government Solicitor .. Seminars and law forums, Menu Plus .. See Express law 'AAT awards compensation for breach of privacy' 3 December ..
Community Legal Services - Department of Justice and Attorney..
.. Making an application · Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) · Types of personal .. Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report ..
About us - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. Forms and publications .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report .. Privacy and security ..
National Legal Profession Reform - Attorney-General's Department
The Attorney-General is pleased to release the draft legislation below .. Since the National Law was last released by COAG in December .. COAG National Legal Profession Reform consultation package · Privacy Statement ..
How to confuse a lawyer - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
.. Making an application · Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report .. The lawyer for one of the parties had to come from Brisbane and the hearing was delayed ..
What we offer - Training courses - Australian Government Solicitor
AGS provides a comprehensive program of legal training for both lawyers and .. of government including administrative law, FOI, privacy, contract management, ..
Penina Berkovic | Victorian Government Solicitor's Office | VGSO
Penina works as a Principal Solicitor within the Workplace Relations and .. under the Information Privacy Act 2000, delegations, and on statutory interpretation. .. Law Institute of Victoria; Environment Defenders Office of Victoria; Lawyers for ..
Family Court of Australia - Complaints and feedback (Family Law ..
This summarises the complaint and feedback procedure for the Family Law Courts. .. the appropriate legislation, including the Family Law Act 1975 and the Privacy Act .. The Court does not handle complaints about lawyers, including lawyers ..
Western Australia Department of the Attorney General
Law
Compass Home Page " type="text/css"/> " alt="Department of the Attorney General" border="0" align="middle"/> " alt="Go To" border="0" .. Feedback | Copyright & Disclaimer | Privacy Statement | Conditions of Use | Login | Glossary.
Australian Law Reform Commission | ALRC
The treatment of family violence in Commonwealth laws, including child support, immigration, employment, social security, superannuation, privacy .. the Attorney General confirmed his intention to provide the ALRC with a ..
Our lists - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. Some we are required to hold by law and others relate to the function of the agency or the laws .. Although privacy and confidentiality issues prevent disclosure of some ..
Crown Solicitor's review - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
.. an application · Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) .. Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. Crown Law's future is again founded in another year of positive ..
Making an application - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
.. download the RTI application form and post it to the RTI and Privacy .. to locate a solicitor, visit Queensland Law Society - Find a Solicitor.
By rule of law.. (history of JAG) - Department of Justice and Attorney..
.. Making an application · Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) · Types of personal .. Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report ..
1860s: the birth of Queensland law - Department of Justice and ..
.. Making an application · Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report .. The Attorney-General in the first Parliament was responsible for the drafting of all the ..
Pruivacy paper cle convention 9
CURRENT PRIVACY LAW – from an agency perspective .. Paper delivered at the Government Lawyers CLE Convention 9.9.03. N R Cowdery AM QC, Director ..
Commonwealth Courts Portal
Privacy and security. Lawyers and law firms registering for the CCP are required to agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use, which outline the ..
Experts' Conference (Prescribed Brochure) - Family Law Courts ..
Family Law Courts logo links to the homepage .. seek clarification from the instructing lawyers or the Court concerning any question put to them; and; access ..
Dividing fence disputes questions and answers - Department of ..
Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. Forms and .. The Act contains the new laws on fences. There is now a wider definition of ..
Careers @ AGS - Current vacancies - Australian Government Solicitor
AGS recruits skilled applicants such as experienced lawyers, recent law .. When recruiting, AGS applies the principles of equity, privacy and procedural fairness.
South Australian Legislation
4 days ago – Copyright · Disclaimer · Privacy · Acknowledgements · Site Map. Company: Office of Parliamentary Counsel Attorney-General's Department ..
Family Law Courts Homepage
Family Law Courts logo links to the homepage. Glossary |; Links | .. Attorney-General's Website · Commonwealth .. Family Law Principles Principles such as no ..
OPAL - FirstConsolidatedDraft (AP065891.DOC;1)
- 2005 NSW Young Lawyers, a division of the Law Society of New South Wales. .. particularly in the areas of privacy, employment, elder abuse, family law and ..
Consultation on Model Offences to Combat Identity Crime 2007 ..
Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Submission to the Model Criminal Law Officers' Committee of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General Consultation on ..
Human Rights - ACT Human Rights Commission
About the ACT Human Rights & Discrimination Commissioner .. The right to privacy and reputation;; Rights of the family and children;; The right to .. Dr Watchirs has 28 years experience as a human rights lawyer working for ..
Solicitors - Job Outlook
Solicitors
provide legal advice, prepare and draft legal documents, and conduct negotiations on behalf of clients on matters associated with the law. The links ..
Neighbours and the Law
Law, by Jane Needham SC and Sarah Hill. Section on Mediation and Community Justice. Centres contributed by Gina Vizza, NSW Attorney General's ..
Speech: Privacy law reform – getting the balance right; Office of the ..
Privacy law
reform – getting the balance right. Timothy Pilgrim presentation to Communications and Media Law Association, 6 September 2011. I would like to ..
THE COMMONWEALTH LAWYER, LAW IN THE AGE OF ..
That Commission had been asked to prepare an Australian law on privacy. .. affecting the way law is practised, indeed what lawyers are engaged to do.
LEGAL HELP
It is important to see a lawyer or apply for legal aid as soon as possible .. In South Australia, the Criminal Law (Legal Representation) Act 2001 ..
Older People and The Law - online guide - Lawlink Corporate ..
The NSW Young Lawyers' Pro Bono and Community Services Taskforce co-edited the handbook to .. What does the law say about privacy?
Common law
The TAC, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Australian Lawyers Alliance have established new alternative dispute resolution protocols for all requests for ..
Victorian Law Reform Commission - How law constructs gender and ..
The Attorney-General has also asked us to advise on priorities for reform in the area of privacy law. In considering privacy issues we will need to think about ..
Queensland's first Solicitor-General - Department of Justice and ..
.. Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) .. The first Solicitor-General for Queensland was Thomas Joseph Byrnes (pictured). .. and the Solicitor-General was the head of the Crown Law Office.
GETTING LEGAL HELP
It is important to see a lawyer or apply for legal aid as soon as possible .. In South Australia, the Criminal Law (Legal Representation) Act 2001 ..
More than just a legal adviser | Victorian Government Solicitor's ..
VGSO lawyers have significant experience across many areas of law. .. Sourcing the right legal services can be challenging, particularly if the specific .. Freedom of information & privacy · Governance · Government & Public Law · Human ..
Attorney General Mental Capacity
- Some years ago, Queensland lawyer and bio-ethicist the late Jennifer Fitzgerald .. For example, the Office of the NSW Privacy Commissioner's Best Practice ..
Resolving tree and fence disputes - Department of Justice and ..
The Queensland Law Society can refer you to a private lawyer. Legal Aid Queensland does not provide legal advice about disputes about trees or fences, but ..
Enforcement notes - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Right to Information and Privacy Unit. Address Level 17. State Law Building 50 Ann Street Brisbane QLD 4000. Postal address. GPO Box 149 ..
Output 3 – Policy Legislation and Legal Services - Department of ..
Search Justice and Attorney-General .. Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) · Types of personal information the ..
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services - Department of ..
.. an application · Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) .. Visit the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at this year's ekka. .. Criminal law (non criminal referred to Brisbane or Southport) ..
The first Crown Solicitor - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
.. Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) · Types .. The first Crown Solicitor for Queensland was Robert Little who was born .. Little was also active in the formation of the Queensland Law Society.
Update on Legal Professional Privilege | Victorian Government ..
Jump to : The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office .. Freedom of information & privacy ..
Neither attorney nor general - Department of Justice and Attorney..
Search Justice and Attorney-General .. an application · Access and amendment under the Information Privacy Act (IP Act) .. Crown Law 2009-10 Annual Report .. He was proud of the fact that he 'was neither an attorney nor a ..
My family is separating — what now? | Family Law Solicitors
The collaborative law process is where both parents, their lawyers and any other .. If you are not using a collaborative law solicitor then try to engage a solicitor ..
Industrial relations - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
..
map · Contact us · Help. Search Justice and Attorney-General .. Enquiries (private and public sector) call the Workplace Rights Hotline Phone 1300 737 841 ..
James Ruddle | Victorian Government Solicitor's Office | VGSO
Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court, Grad Dip Legal Management (Melb). work+61 3 8684 0470. James.Ruddle@vgso.vic.gov.au. Areas of law: ..
Human rights and counter-terrorism laws
- Let's Talk About Rights, National Human Rights Consultation Toolkit, .. freedom of expression. · freedom of movement. · privacy. · freedom from discrimination. .. time when the suspect is contacting a lawyer, taking meal breaks and sleeping.
Privacy Victoria - Privacy Commissioner
Helen Versey was appointed Victoria's second Privacy Commissioner on 13 March 2007. .. She was the senior lawyer and acted as Commissioner during the ..
