About Privacy

Privacy is one of the three broad functions that have been conferred on the new Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The legislative basis of these privacy functions is drawn primarily from the Privacy Act 1988.

Before 1 November 2010, the OAIC's privacy functions were carried out by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. From 1 November 2010, the Privacy Act has continued to operate and the position of Privacy Commissioner has continued, but the functions have been transferred to the OAIC.

For further information about federal privacy law, see the information about privacy law on the former Office of the Privacy Commissioner's website.

For information about the privacy law reforms passed by the Australian Parliament in November 2012 see our privacy law reform page.