Site Changes

On 1 November 2010 the Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and a new website established at www.oaic.gov.au.

Note 1: Major changes to the Privacy Act 1988 will come into effect in March 2014. Agencies, businesses and not for profits need to start preparing for these changes. For more information go to our privacy law reform page at www.oaic.gov.au
Note 2: From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date. For new privacy content visit the www.oaic.gov.au website.

Who's covered?

Who has rights under the Privacy Act?

Individuals have rights under the Privacy Act, which give them greater control over the way their personal information is handled.

As an individual, the Act allows you to:

know why your personal information is being collected and how it will be used
ask for access to your records (including your health information)
stop receiving unwanted direct marketing material
correct inaccurate information about you
ensure your information is only used for purposes you have been told about.

Who has responsibilities under the Privacy Act?

Australian and ACT government agencies and certain private sector organisations have responsibilities under the Privacy Act. For more information see our Complaints section.

The Act does not cover State or Northern Territory government agencies, including State or Territory government hospitals and health care facilities. Nor does it cover the handling by individuals of other people's personal information, with some exceptions, such as the management of your tax file number and if a security interest is registered over your personal property, the handling of your personal information contained on the Personal Property Securities Register.