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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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

Can a real estate agent* take an image of my property or household belongings?

Yes.

But, the real estate agent must comply with the National Privacy Principles when handling the image if:

the agent is covered by the Privacy Act
the image (of your property or household belongings) has anything in it that can identify you or another person.

Example: family photos, or photos of medication or bills would be personal information if you can be identified from them.

More information

In Queensland (from July 2009) new legislation means agents must get permission from tenants to take photos of any of their their belongings, even if they don't identify the tenant or another person.

* Including property managers