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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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

If a business obtains information about its customers in the course of providing them with goods and services, can it use that information for marketing purposes?

Yes. But if the business is subject to the NPPs, it must stop sending marketing offers if the customer asks it to. If the business is using email or SMS to communicate with its customers, it must obtain their 'opt-in' consent. See NPP 2.1(c). For more information about the coverage of the NPPs, click here Information Sheet 12.

Example: A restaurant uses customer information it collects when making home deliveries for marketing purposes. The restaurant can continue to do this. But if the customer asks not to receive any more marketing material, the restaurant must stop sending it. See NPP 2.1(a) and NPP 2.1(c).

Example: A business uses customer information to mail out a business newsletter to clients. The business can do this. But if the customer asks to be taken off the mailing list, the business must take them off. See NPP 2.1(a). For more information about all the NPPs, see: http://www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/brochures/view/6051 or http://www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/guidelines#3.2.