http://www.oaic.gov.au http://www.oaic.gov.au/about/careers.html#current_positions 082 Current positions available at the OAIC http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/guidelines.html#foi_guidelines 081 Part 2 – Scope of application of the FOI Act v1.2 (9-May-2012)New paragraph about the application of the FOI Act to Commonwealth Parliamentary departments (paragraph 2.5); Part 15 – Reporting v1.2 (10-May-2012)Updated annual report requirements and removal of transitional arrangements for 2010–11 http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/speeches.html 080 Presentation by the Australian Information Commissioner, Professor John McMillan to launch the revised Data Breach Notification Guide at the OAIC's Privacy Awareness Week corporate breakfast on 30 April 2012 and a presentation by the Freedom of Information Commissioner, Dr James Popple at the launch of Information Awareness Month 2012 at the National Library, Canberra on 1 May 2012. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/factsheets.html#privacy_factsheets 079 Three Privacy Fact Sheets were released last week during Privacy Awareness Week 2012. They are: Privacy Fact Sheet 7 - Ten steps to protect other people's personal information; Privacy Fact Sheet 8 - Ten steps to protect your personal information; Privacy Fact Sheet 9 - Guide to internal investigations (the latter to assist organisations to address a privacy complaint made by an individual). http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/speeches.html#pc_speeches 078 Two presentations delivered by the Privacy Commissioner for Privacy Awareness Week 2012 http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_120504_paw_wrap.html 077 Privacy Awareness Week 2012 draws to a close today with the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, saying that the annual campaign of Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) had been a great success. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_120502_privacy_law_reform.html 076 Privacy law reform is a step closer with the announcement today that the Australian Government will introduce amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (the Act) during the Winter sitting of Parliament. Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim said he welcomed the announcement that the changes will include new powers for the Commissioner to enforce privacy laws. The announcement comes during Privacy Awareness Week 2012. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_120501_young-people-paw.html 075 Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has today reminded young people to make good privacy choices to ensure that their social networking behaviour does not come back to bite them in the future. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/case_notes/2012_AICmrCN1.html 074 Privacy case note: summary of a complaint about a financial institution's use and disclosure of a customer's personal information. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_120430_business-warned-to-be-ready.html 073 Over 180 business leaders representing some of Australia's largest organisations met today to discuss how to prevent a data breach, and how to respond to one, if or when it occurs. Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim said that there is evidence to suggest that data breaches are on the rise. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_120430_FOI_compliance.html 072 The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is commencing work to assess how Australian Government agencies are complying with their Information Publication Scheme obligations under the Freedom of Information Act http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_120427_paw2012.html 071 Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim reminds all Australians to take care of their personal information during Privacy Awareness Week 2012 (29 April to 5 May 2012) http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/agency_resources.html#agency_resources_foi 070 Release of Agency Resource 12 on defining an agency for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 http://www.privacyawarenessweek.org/oaic/index.html#breakfast 069 Places are fast running out for the corporate breakfast launch event for Privacy Awareness Week on Monday 30 April 2012 in Sydney. Register now and avoid disappointment. You can also become a Privacy Awareness Week Partner. See: http://www.privacyawarenessweek.org/oaic/partner.html http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#biometric_institute 068 Following a request from the Biometrics Institute and public consultation the Australian Privacy Commissioner has revoked the approval of the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code. The revocation instrument was registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 16 April 2012 and took effect from 17 April 2012. The instrument and explanatory statement are available at: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012L00869 http://www.oaic.gov.au/about/careers.html 067 Careers: APS 6 Merit Review and Investigation Officer, APS 5 Assistant Merit Review and Investigation Officer and APS 4 Enquiries Officer positions available http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/MR_charges_review_report_270312.html 066 The Australian Information Commissioner, Professor John McMillan, has released his report to the Attorney-General proposing changes to the way charges are imposed for giving access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. The report is available at http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/reports.html#other_reports. A blog post by the Commissioner about the report is available at: http://oaic.govspace.gov.au/2012/03/27/foi-charges-review-released/ http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/agency_resources/agency_resource11_sample_notices.html 065 This series of sample FOI notices has been developed to help agencies and ministers comply with their obligations under the FOI Act http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/privacy_fact_sheets/privacy_fact_sheet6_TFN_guide_2011.html 064 Note that the OAIC's privacy fact sheet on handling tax file numbers has been updated to take account of recent amendments to the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 and the Retirement Savings Accounts Regulations 1997 and to clarify a few other matters http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/submissions/2012_03_fair_work_act_review_supplementary.html 063 Short letter supplementary submission to the Fair Work Act Review Panel re: Privacy Act employee exemption http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/speeches/timothy_pilgrim/timothy_pilgrim_emerging_challenges_feb12.html 062 The speech was given at the Emerging Challenges in Privacy Law Conference, 23 February 2012 http://www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/other/view/7166 061 http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/factsheets.html#FOI_factsheets 060 The OAIC has published a new fact sheet in relation to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Norfolk Island administration http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#biometric_institute 059 The OAIC has released a consultation paper on the proposed revocation of the Biometrics Institute Privacy Code. Comments are sought by 21 March 2012 http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/submissions/2012_02_fair_work_act_review.html 058 Submission now available http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_telegraph_body_scanning_correction_Feb_12.html 057 Linda Silmalis' article (New 'no scan, no fly' law, Sunday Telegraph, 5/2/2011) incorrectly states that the Privacy Commissioner has 'approved' the body scanning technology to be introduced at Australian airports. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) provided advice to the Office of Transport Security on the privacy implications of the body scanning technology, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that has now concluded. The MOU recognised the independence of the OAIC in providing that advice. However, I did not have a role in approving this project as part of the provision of that advice. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_investigation_fairfax_Feb_12.html 056 Statement from Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim - “I have opened an investigation into allegations that the Herald Education website may have been subject to hacking, compromising the personal information of some subscribers. My investigation will be looking at the site’s compliance with the Privacy Act and in particular whether appropriate data security practices were in place at the time of the alleged hack. I strongly encourage businesses to make the security of their customer’s personal information a top priority, particularly in the light of an increased number of similar security breaches in 2011.” http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/submissions/2012_01_senate_submission_inquiry_PCEHR_bill.html 055 The OAIC strongly supports introducing enabling legislation to accompany the PCEHR System. Ensuring that this legislation appropriately protects individuals' personal information is fundamental to establishing and maintaining public confidence in the system. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_back_school.html 054 Students heading back to the classroom for 2012 are being reminded to review their social media privacy settings to make them as strong as possible. The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, sends this reminder to coincide with Data Privacy Day 2012. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_customer_privacy.html 053 Organisations gearing up for the year ahead should make sure their privacy practices are up to date and customers' personal information is secure to avoid embarrassing privacy breaches in 2012. To coincide with Data Privacy Day, on 28 January, the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, reminds businesses to review their privacy practices and make sure that staff returning from holidays understand their privacy obligations. http://www.oaic.gov.au/about/careers.html 052 Careers: EL 1 Legal Officer and APS 6 Compliance Officer positions available. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_ANZ_Jan_12.html 051 Media statement from Australian Privacy Commissioner - update on the ANZ eStatement matter http://www.oaic.gov.au/about/careers.html 050 Careers: APS level 5 and 6 positions available. http://www.oaic.gov.au/law/tax-file-numbers.html 049 New tax file number guidelines were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 20 December 2011. The TFN Guidelines, issued under s 17 of the Privacy Act 1988, regulate the collection, storage, use, disclosure, security and disposal of individuals’ TFN information. The TFN Guidelines replace the previous Tax File Number Guidelines 1992. These new guidelines result from a review conducted this year by the OAIC (for information on the review see: http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#review_of_the_TFN). A comprehensive fact sheet on TFNs has also been released today at: http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/privacy_fact_sheets/privacy_fact_sheet6_TFN_guide_2011.html) http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#vdm_review 048 In 1998, the former Office of the Privacy Commissioner published 'The use of data matching in Commonwealth administration: Guidelines'. These are voluntary guidelines regarding the conduct of data-matching activities for administrative purposes by Australian Government agencies. The OAIC is currently reviewing the Guidelines. As part of the review, the OAIC has produced draft revised Guidelines (proposed to be retitled Guidelines for Data-matching in Australian Government Administration). To assist the public in considering the draft revised Guidelines and preparing comments, the OAIC has also issued a consultation paper in relation to the review. The OAIC welcomes comments on the draft revised Guidelines by 10 February 2012. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/submissions/2011_12_Sub_DBCDE_review_integrated_public_number_db_discussion.html 047 Submission by the Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on their discussion paper on the review of the Integrated Public Number Database http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/reports/own_motion_professional_services_review_dec_2011.html 046 The Privacy Own Motion Investigation Report into an allegation that the Professional Services Review Agency holds Medicare Benefits Program and Pharmaceutical Benefits Program claims information within the same database has been released today. This is the published report. A statement about the closing of the investigation was issued on 16 September 2011 (at: http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_investigation_into_professional_services_review_concludes.html) http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/decisions.html#privacy_complaint 045 Privacy Determination under s 52 of the Privacy Act 1988 by the Australian Privacy Commissioner http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_investigation_telstra_Dec_12.html 044 Statement from Australian Privacy Commissioner http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/decisions.html#privacy_PID 043 Privacy Public Interest Determinations 12 and 12A on the collection of family, social and medical histories were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments today. They will have effect from 11 December 2011 when the current determinations expire. They have affect for 5 years. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/networks/APPA/APPA36thforum.html 042 Communiqué from the 36th APPA forum held in Melbourne, Australia on 1–2 December 2011 http://www.privacyawarenessweek.org/2011/survey_media_release.html 041 A recent online survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) forum has revealed that – contrary to popular assumptions – people do care about their privacy on social networking sites.In May 2011, the APPA forum encouraged its members to run an online survey to find out how people used social networking sites, and whether they thought online privacy was important. More than 10,000 people responded to the survey, most of them from Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Korea. The results have just been released at the APPA meeting in Melbourne. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_FOI_report_2010_11.html 040 The Freedom of Information Act 1982 Annual Report 2010–2011, a joint report of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information is now available. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/submissions/2011_11_submission_statutory_right_privacy_issues_paper.html 039 The OAIC has released its submission to the Australian Government’s Issues Paper on a Commonwealth statutory cause of action for serious invasion of privacy. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media.html#media_releases 038 Information experts from public and private sectors are gathering today at the OAIC's inaugural conference in Canberra to share ideas and insights on the future direction of government information policy. The 2011 Information Policy Conference is being held to mark the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's first year of operation. Opened by the Hon Brendan O'Connor, Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information, the conference will be considering public sector information as a national resource and how it can be made available for community access and use. Participants are discussing barriers to proactive publication and considering how technology can facilitate information management and exchange, while also protecting the personal information held by government. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/agency_resources.html#foi_guide 037 The OAIC has released a guide to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 that provides a broad perspective on FOI, placing it within the information policy landscape. It provides a detailed history of the Act and its operation in Australia and charts the progress towards the 2010 reforms and beyond. The guide is designed for a wide audience, in and outside government. It is particularly aimed at assisting senior leaders in government to maintain a lasting commitment to open government. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/papers.html#issues_papers 036 The OAIC today published a new Issues Paper, Understanding the Value of Public Sector Information in Australia. The paper explores ways of valuing public sector information (PSI) and assessing the impact of publication. It suggests that both government agencies and reusers of PSI complete a survey on the publication and reuse of PSI. The responses to this survey will help the OAIC develop a methodology for valuing PSI, as recommended by the Gov 2.0 taskforce. The OAIC welcomes submissions by 31 January 2012. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/reports.html#annual_reports 035 OAIC Annual Report 2010-11 now available. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#current_consultations 034 As part of the review, the OAIC has released a discussion paper which sets out; the scope of the review, the background to the charging framework, the current charging regime under the FOI Act, a snapshot of the estimated costs of processing FOI requests and fees and charges collected and an overview of charging practices in other Australian and overseas jurisdictions. Submissions by 21 November 2011. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/reports.html#annual_reports 033 This report is made under Section 30(1) of the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010 which requires the Australian Information Commissioner to prepare an annual report on the Commissioner's compliance and enforcement activities under the Healthcare Identifiers Act. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/guidelines.html#foi_guidelines 032 The Information Commissioner has issued Part 8 of the FOI guidelines on agency decision making on FOI requests. This Part outlines; the principles of good decision making under the FOI Act, the types of decisions that can be made on requests for access to documents, when and how to prepare a statement of reasons, the timeframes for making a decision, deemed decisions, release of documents to an applicant, public access to information released to an applicant, protections where access is given. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#uniting_care_wesley 031 The application concerns the disclosure and collection of personal information without consent in limited and specific circumstances, to improve outcomes for children and young people at risk of serious harm. The application has been sought to enable implementation of the South Australian Information Sharing Guidelines for Promoting the Safety and Wellbeing of Children (SA Government 2008). These guidelines aim to improve early intervention outcomes by providing a consistent and structured framework for service coordination. A consultation paper has been published. Comments due by 25 November 2011 http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#dr_hambleton 030 The application concerns the collection by health service providers of third party health information that is relevant to a patient's family or social medical histories, without the third party's consent. A consultation paper has been published. Comments due by 11 November 2011 http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011L02059/Explanatory%20Statement/Text 029 The effect of this determination under s11C(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 is that agencies and Ministers are not required to publish information prescribed by the determination, in their disclosure log. The determination applies to: information in a document that was an exempt document at the time that access was given by the agency or Minister to the applicant under s 11A of the Act, and information in a document that the agency or Minister would have decided was an exempt document at the time that access was given to the applicant under s 11A of the Act, if the request for that document had been received from a person other than the applicant. The determination has effect from 17 October 2011. http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_charges_review.html 028 Announcement by the Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information of a review of Freedom of Information charges to be conducted by the OAIC. Statement from Professor John McMillan, Australian Information Commissioner http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_iac_appointment.html 027 Information Advisory Committee – announcement of members (29 September 2011) Statement from Professor John McMillan, Australian Information Commissioner http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/statements/statement_iac_appointment.html 026 New FOI agency resources issued http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_sony_report.html 025 MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Privacy Commissioner concludes Sony investigation http://www.oaic.gov.au/about/careers.html 024 Careers: positions available http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/events/2011_conference_main.html 023 Public Sector Information: A National Resource - 15 November 2011, National Convention Centre, Canberra http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media_releases/media_release_credit_determinations.html 022 The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has today announced the making of three new credit provider determinations covering Assignees, Classes of Credit Providers and Indigenous Business Australia. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/submissions/2011_08_Submission_Draft_Rail_Safety_National_Law.html 021 Submission by Prof. John McMillan to the National Transport Commission on the Draft National Rail Safety Law 2011 http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#current_consultations 020 The OAIC is seeking your views on its draft revised Tax File Number (TFN) Guidelines. The TFN Guidelines protect individuals' privacy by restricting the use of TFN information. Closing date for comments is 15 September 2011. http://www.oaic.gov.au/about/careers.html 019 04 August Careers: positions available http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/decisions.html 018 Freedom of Information: Request for access to documents relating to an investigation under the APS Code of Conduct - Whether documents conditionally exempt from release - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 ss 47C, 47E, 47F - Whether contrary to public interest to release conditionally exempt documents - (CTH) Freedom of Information Act 1982 s 11A(5) http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/consultations.html#current_consultations 015 The OAIC has released for public comment, draft Disclosure Log Determination No 1 – exempt documents. The Information Commissioner proposes to make this determination under s 11C(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). The effect of this determination would be that agencies and Ministers would not be required to publish information prescribed by the determination, in their disclosure log. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/guidelines.html#foi_guidelines 014 Part 3 of the FOI Guidelines, on processing requests for access to documents, has been issued by the Australian Information Commissioner. http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/submissions.html#2011 013 Submission to the Department of Health and Ageing on the draft Person Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) Concept of Operations