Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner Chief protector of your privacy and access to information rights.

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We promote and uphold your rights to access government-held information and have your personal information protected.

The OAIC has released a range of tools to help your organisation on its journey as part of the AML/CTF reforms. Here ar...
11/06/2026

The OAIC has released a range of tools to help your organisation on its journey as part of the AML/CTF reforms.

Here are 5 privacy steps Tranche 2 reporting entities should take before 1 July 2026:
• understand your AML/CTF privacy obligations
• review and update your privacy policy
• check how personal information is collected and stored
• put a data breach response plan in place
• only retain personal information for as long as needed.

If your business provides a new designated service, including real estate professionals, lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, dealers in precious metals or stones, or a trust and company service provider, now is the time to prepare.

Find out more through our guidance: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/privacy-guidance-for-reporting-entities-under-the-anti-money-laundering-and-counter-terrorism-financing-act

Following a long-running investigation by the OAIC, the Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind has determined that O...
11/06/2026

Following a long-running investigation by the OAIC, the Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind has determined that Optus interfered with the privacy of individuals whose personal information was listed in the White Pages despite requests for an unlisted number.

The determination found that Optus failed to take reasonable steps to protect customers’ personal information from unauthorised disclosure between October 2015 and September 2019, breaching Australian Privacy Principle (APP) 11.1.

The Commissioner has also indicated the findings will be applied to the related representative complaint and will inform consideration of reasonable and proportionate compensation for affected individuals.

Find out more in our media release: https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/privacy-commissioner-finds-against-optus-in-white-pages-breach

Access the determination on our website:https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/264847/Commissioner-Initiated-Investigation-into-Singtel-Optus-Pty-Ltd-Determination.PDF

Privacy concerns are widespread and increasing in Australia, yet relatively few people take action when issues arise, of...
09/06/2026

Privacy concerns are widespread and increasing in Australia, yet relatively few people take action when issues arise, often due to low confidence in outcomes and perceived complexity of complaints processes.

64% of Australians had concern about how an organisation handled their personal information – ranging from minor issues like being asked for unnecessary information, to serious incidents like data breaches.

However, only 12% raised the issue with the organisation. Over half of Australians who didn't raise the issue thought it wouldn’t change anything, would be too hard or take too long, or weren’t sure how to complain.

These insights reinforce the need for organisations to evaluate their complaint processes and ensure it is clear to Australians how they can take action.

Learn more about privacy complaints on our website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-complaints

Find out more about on our website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/research-and-training-resources/research/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey2026

Our 2026 Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey (ACAPS) has provided a comprehensive overview of Australians’ ...
04/06/2026

Our 2026 Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey (ACAPS) has provided a comprehensive overview of Australians’ privacy attitudes and experiences.

The survey found that privacy remains important to Australians, with 93% of Australians saying protecting personal information is important to them.

Since our last survey in 2023, there has been a consistent increase in Australians wanting more control and choice over how their personal information is collected and used. Take a look at some comparisons of key findings from our 2026 and 2023 surveys below.

Find out more about on our website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/research-and-training-resources/research/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey2026

Are you interested in using technology to support the protection of Australians' privacy and information rights? Our cur...
03/06/2026

Are you interested in using technology to support the protection of Australians' privacy and information rights?

Our current vacancy is an APS 6 or EL 1 Program Officer/Manager within the OAIC's Information Management and Systems team. This is an opportunity to work on meaningful, high-impact projects, and ensure our systems continue to support the delivery of our regulatory functions.

In this role you'll:
• maintain oversight of the operation of key ICT systems
• be a primary point of contact with infrastructure providers and vendors
• contribute to new ICT project work programs
• draft and refine ICT policies, standards and operational frameworks.

Find out more and apply: https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-the-OAIC/join-our-team/vacancies/information-systems-program-officermanager

Applications close on Tuesday, 16 June at 11:59pm AEST.

In case you missed it, support is available for ‘Tranche 2’ businesses in meeting their AML/CTF privacy obligations. F...
02/06/2026

In case you missed it, support is available for ‘Tranche 2’ businesses in meeting their AML/CTF privacy obligations.

From 1 July 2026, businesses providing a range of new designated services will have new privacy obligations under the AML/CTF Act. These businesses, also known as 'Tranche 2' entities, include:
• real estate professionals
• dealers in precious metals and stones
• professional service providers, such as lawyers, conveyancers, accountants and trust and company service providers.

The OAIC has published a number of tools to help. We encourage you to read our guidance for AML/CTF reporting entities and download the AML/CTF privacy checklist: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/template-privacy-collection-notice-for-reporting-entities-under-the-AML-CTF-Act

Trust is central to how Australians engage with services.Findings from our 2026 Australian Community Attitudes to Privac...
02/06/2026

Trust is central to how Australians engage with services.

Findings from our 2026 Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey (ACAPS), show that community expectations on how personal information is handled remain strong.

Privacy is a big factor in purchasing decisions. Australians are more likely to rank privacy-related factors than convenience-related factors among their top 3 considerations.

Australians place a high and increasing level of importance on how their personal information is collected, used and protected when choosing a product or service:
• 87% of Australians want more control and choice over the collection and use of their personal information
• 89% say it is important their personal information is protected
• 82% say it is important they are clearly told how their personal information will be used.

Building and maintaining trust requires transparency and accountability across privacy practices.

Learn more about your privacy rights: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights

Find out more about on our website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/research-and-training-resources/research/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey2026

This is the last week of our public consultation on the Exposure Draft of the Children's Online Privacy Code.Submissions...
31/05/2026

This is the last week of our public consultation on the Exposure Draft of the Children's Online Privacy Code.

Submissions on the draft Code close this Friday, 5 June 2026.

We want to hear from children, young people, parents, and carers. To support your engagement, access our suite of child-friendly resources on our Privacy for Kids website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-for-kids

For industry, academia, civil society, and other interest parties, head to our website to learn how to make a submission before it closes: https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers/privacy-codes/childrens-online-privacy-code

We surveyed over 1,500 Australian adults to discover their opinions, attitudes and experiences around privacy in Austral...
28/05/2026

We surveyed over 1,500 Australian adults to discover their opinions, attitudes and experiences around privacy in Australia as part of our 2026 Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey (ACAPS).

The 2026 ACAPS report has recently been published, and it’s clear that privacy is a growing concern for Australians, with 87% of respondents feeling more concerned about privacy than 5 years ago.

Our report provides key insights into Australians’ views on topics like data practices, privacy legislation, data breaches, privacy disputes, biometrics, artificial intelligence and trust in organisations.

We will use the findings to inform and target our activities at areas of high concern among the community.

Read our media release: https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/australians-more-concerned-about-privacy-as-trust-in-ai-languishes,-survey-finds

Read the full report and our infographic: https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/research-and-training-resources/research/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey/australian-community-attitudes-to-privacy-survey2026

This week marks National Reconciliation Week, and this year's theme 'All In' encourages us to reflect on our shared hist...
26/05/2026

This week marks National Reconciliation Week, and this year's theme 'All In' encourages us to reflect on our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and play a role in advancing reconciliation through meaningful action.

Being 'All In' means building relationships based on trust, respect and recognising that progress requires a collective effort. These principles also underpin the OAIC's work in supporting transparency, accountability and protecting the rights of Australians.

Through the OAIC’s Diversity Committee, we acknowledge the importance of strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, and creating environments where people feel respected and heard.

Learn more about and how to get involved: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

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