Since 1988 most Commonwealth and ACT government departments and agencies have had to comply with 11 Information Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

The Privacy Act also contains safeguards in relation to consumer credit reporting. This includes the handling of credit reports and other credit worthiness information about individuals by credit reporting agencies and credit providers. The Privacy Act ensures that the use of this information is restricted to assessing applications for credit lodged with a credit provider and other legitimate activities involved with giving credit.

From 21 December 2001 the 10 National Privacy Principles of the Privacy Act have applied to private sector organisations with a turnover of more than $3m, and also to all health service providers. From 21 December 2002 the Privacy Act will also cover some small businesses with a turnover of less than $3m.

If you think personal information about you has been mishandled and want to check whether the organisation involved is covered by the Privacy Act please follow the links below as appropriate:

1. Private Sector - Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles.
2. Health Information in the Private Sector - Privacy and Health Information
3. Small Business and exemptions from the Privacy Act - Information Sheet 12 - Coverage of and Exemptions from the Private Sector Provisions.
4. Commonwealth and ACT Government departments and agencies - Commonwealth and ACT Governments
5. Credit Providers and Credit Reporting Agencies - Credit Reporting
6. General information about what the Privacy Act means for you - My Privacy, My Choice - Your New Privacy Rights