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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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

Do I always have to give my name and other personal information when I am doing business with an organisation?

Unless there is a good practical or legal reason which requires you to identify yourself an organisation must give you the option not to do so, in order to meet National Privacy Principle 8.

It will not always be practical or legal to remain anonymous in all circumstances. For example, when you apply for a loan, or a utility service, such as the telephone (where you are going to be billed later), you will be asked to provide specific types of identification. In other situations, for example, when you are paying in cash for something you have bought, or just making an enquiry, it might not be necessary for you to give your personal information.

When an organisation collects your personal information it should take reasonable steps to tell you the purpose or reason. If they donï¿½t tell you why, ask them.

For more information go to the National Privacy Principles and the Guidelines to the National Privacy Principles.

For more general information about what the Privacy Act means for you go to My Privacy, My Choice ï¿½Your New Privacy rights.