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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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

News for PCOs

Office releases guidance on handling personal information security breaches

The Data breach notification: Guide to handling personal information security breaches (updated in April 2012) is a must-read for PCOs. It contains guidance on how to respond quickly to a data breach and provides tips on how to avoid breaches in the first place. In agencies, the PCO is your first point of contact when things go wrong with personal information.

Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) releases guidance on sharing information about Code of Conduct inquiry outcomes

The APSC has published guidance for agencies in two of its circulars on releasing of information about Code of Conduct inquiry outcomes. The first, released in 2007, clarifies the circumstances in which information can be provided concerning Code of Conduct matters when APS employees move from one APS agency to another. The second, released in 2008, provides guidance about what information APS agencies can or should give complainants about the outcome of their complaints.

Office releases information sheet for agencies on how to handle privacy complaints

The Office has released an information sheet for agencies called A step by step guide to internal investigations of privacy complaints by Australian and ACT government agencies. Handling privacy complaints is an important part of a PCO's role. This information sheet provides a useful checklist that takes you through the key steps in handling a privacy complaint.