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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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

If you are an Australian, ACT or Norfolk Island government agency, then yes you more than likely have to comply with the Privacy Act. There are a few agencies that are exempt from the operation of the Privacy Act. Find out more about exempt agencies here.

However, if you are a State or Northern Territory government agency, you are not covered by the Privacy Act, though you may be covered by state or territory privacy legislation. See State and territory privacy laws for more information.