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From 12 March 2013 content is no longer being added to, or amended, on this site, consequently some information may be out of date.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

Victoria

The Victorian Information Privacy Act 2000 (VIP Act) came into effect on 1 September 2002. The VIP Act covers the handling of all personal information except health information in the public sector in Victoria. This Act adopts ten Information Privacy Principles which are similar to the NPPs set out in the federal Privacy Act. The Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner has more information.

The Victorian Health Records Act 2001 (Health Records Act) came into effect from 1 July 2002. This Act covers the handling of all personal information held by health service providers in the State public sector and also seeks to govern acts or practices in the Victorian private health sector. The Health Records Act contains a set of principles adapted from the National Privacy Principles. The Office of the Health Services Commissioner provides more information.

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 commenced on 1 January 2007 and became fully operational on 1 January 2008. The Charter incorporates a general right to privacy for individuals in addition to other rights, and is administered by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Relevant Victorian laws include:

Relevant Victorian case law:

Jane Doe v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2007] VCC 281 (3 April 2007)