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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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.

New Zealand

New Zealand and Australian Memorandum of Understanding - PDF (August 2008)

The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, and the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, Marie Shroff, have renewed a two year Memorandum of Understanding that allows for cooperation on privacy related issues.

The agreement covers the sharing of information related to surveys, research projects, promotional campaigns, education and training programs, and techniques in investigating privacy violations and regulatory strategies. Other areas addressed include cooperation on complaints with a cross-border element and the possible undertaking of joint investigations.

The agreement stems in part from the APEC Privacy Framework, OECD Guidelines Governing the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data, and the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum, all of which advocate the forming of cooperative arrangements between privacy regulators.

This agreement has been used as a starting point for the development of an agreement to facilitate the management of cross-border privacy related complaints between APEC jurisdictions.

2008 Media Release: Australia & New Zealand - privacy regulators sign agreement

2006 Media Announcement: Cross - Tasman initiative to promote privacy protection