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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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 couples get access to information about each other`s bank accounts?

Yes, if the bank account is held by the couple in their names jointly, and either of the couple can operate it.

If an account is held in the name of only one of the couple, the couple may not be able to get access to information about each other's accounts unless they have made arrangements to allow it. The Office has prepared another FAQ on this circumstance. It is called "Why won't an organisation tell me how much is owing on an account?"