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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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

Private Sector Review 2005

Government response to the report Click here

Report:

The Attorney General, the Hon Philip Ruddock, MP, released the Privacy Commissioner's report into the operation of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act on 18 May 2005.

A copy of the Review Report is now available:

Getting in on the Act: The Review of the Private Sector Provisions of the Privacy Act 1988 - HTML, PDF

Hard copies of the Report are available for a limited time. Please contact the Office to request that a copy be sent out to you.

Background to the Review
Submissions Received
Review Issues Paper - HTML, PDF
Stakeholder forums for private sector privacy review
Review Terms of Reference as issued by the Attorney-General

Media Releases

Background to the Review

On 13 August 2004, the Attorney General asked the Privacy Commissioner to review the operation of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act 1998. The provisions apply to the handling of personal information by many private sector organisations. The Commissioner was asked to report to the Attorney by 31 March 2005.

The review process included the release of an issues paper (HTML, PDF) and a two month period of consultation that included the opportunity for people to make submissions before the report was finalised by 31 March 2005.

During the consultation period the Office conducted numerous meetings with key stakeholders including consumer and privacy advocacy groups, business representatives and members of the private health sector.

To assist in carrying out the review, the Commissioner convened a steering committee whose membership included existing members of the Privacy Advisory Committee and three others. The steering committee members were:

Charles Britton, Senior Policy Officer, Information Technology and Communications, Australian Consumers' Association;
Peter Coroneos, Chief Executive Officer, Internet Industry Association;
Ian Gilbert, Director of Retail Regulatory Policy, Australian Bankers' Association;
Graeme Innes, Deputy Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission;
John O'Brien, Senior Lecturer in Industrial Relations and Organisational Behaviour, University of New South Wales; and
Joan Sheedy, Assistant Secretary, Information Law Branch, Attorney General's Department.

Stakeholder forums held for private sector privacy review

As part of the Review, the Office organised consultation meetings in all capital cities during 2004. Meetings were held in:

Adelaide, 4 November
Perth,11 November
Hobart, 17 November
Melbourne,18 November
Sydney, 22 November
Darwin, 25 November
Brisbane, 30 November
Canberra, 8 December

There were also health forums held in Perth on 11 November, Melbourne on 18 November and Darwin on 25 November. In addition, a telecommunications forum was convened in Melbourne on 19 November 2004.

Media Release: Release of the report into the review of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act

18/5/05

Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, today welcomed the release, by the Attorney General, the Hon Philip Ruddock, MP, of her report into the operation of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act”Getting in on the Act: The Review of the Private Sector Provisions of the Privacy Act 1988.

Complete Media Release ...

Media Release: Commissioner seeks views about the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act

27/10/2004

Privacy Commissioner, Karen Curtis, is asking organisations and individuals to give their views about the operation of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act, that came into effect on 21 December 2001.

Complete Media Release ...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner outlines consultation process for review of the Private Sector Provisions of the Privacy Act

20/8/04

The Privacy Commissioner Karen Curtis has today released details of the consultation process for the recently announced review of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act. This will involve the release of an issues paper and a two month period of consultation including the opportunity for people to make submissions before a report is finalised by the 31 March 2005.

Complete Media Release ...

Media Release: Privacy Commissioner to review the operation of the private sector provisions

13/8/04

The Attorney General has asked the Privacy Commissioner to review the operation of the private sector provisions of the Privacy Act 1998. The provisions apply to the handling of personal information by many private sector organisations. The Commissioner has been asked to report by 31 March 2005.

Complete Media Release ...