Information Matters newsletter
We regularly publish news about our upcoming events, latest guidance and activities in our Information Matters newsletter.
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In the current edition (April 2026):
- From the desk of the Information Commissioner
- Privacy Awareness Week
- Children's Online Privacy Code
- Determination: 2Apply rental technology platform
- Survey: Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy
- AML/CTF: Privacy collection notice template released
- AML/CTF: Privacy guidance update
- Automated decision-making
- New website tool: FOI Disclosure Log Hub
- Recent IC review decisions
Past editions
2024
| Edition | Summary of contents |
|---|
| November/December 2024 | - From the desk of the Freedom of Information Commissioner
- Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 passes
- OAIC annual reports wrap up a big year
- Work with us
- Join ICON
- Tracking pixels guidance
- Bunnings Group Limited determination
- Master Wealth Control Pty Ltd (DG Institute) and Property Lovers Pty Ltd decision
- Sign up for Privacy Awareness Week 2025
- Holiday closure dates.
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| October | - From the desk of the Privacy Commissioner
- International Access to Information Day 2024 video, transcript and slides
- FOI webinar
- AI guidance
- Guidance for not-for-profit organisations
- Privacy law reform update
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| September | - From the desk of the Freedom of Information Commissioner
- International Access to Information Day 2024
- New OAIC blog
- Recent changes to URLs on our website
- Energy retailers Consumer Data Right (CDR) policy assessment.
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| August | - From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner
- International Access to Information Day 2024
- 2024-25 Corporate plan
- DP-REG communique
- Special Rapporteur visit
- FOI practitioners survey
- Upcoming FOI webinar
- Revisions to FOI guidelines
- Submission to the Credit Reporting Framework review
- Updated privacy guidance coming for NFPs
- Updates to National Health (Privacy) rules
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| July | - From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner
- International Access to Information Day 2024
- New agency resources: deliberative processes exemption and the public interest test
- Calling all FOI practitioners
- IC review procedure directions
- Recent investigation outcomes
- Upcoming FOI webinars
- Updates to the Privacy (Credit Related Research) Rule 2014.
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| June | - From the desk of the Privacy Commissioner
- Information Publication Scheme review report
- Appointment to the ICIC’s ExCo
- Recent privacy determination
- Reminder: revised FOI procedure directions
- Revisions to the FOIstats Guide
- Updated guide to developing a Consumer Data Right (CDR) policy
- Support Privacy Awareness Week 2025 and complete the survey.
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| May | - From the desk of the Acting Australian Information Commissioner and FOI Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd – Open Government Week, Information Commissioner appointment
- Privacy Awareness Week 2024 campaign summary
- Digital ID legislation
- Consultations and revisions to FOI guidance
- List of webinars for FOI practitioners.
|
| April | - From the desk of the Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind – Privacy Awareness Week
- Legislated framework for Digital ID
- Consultation on the application made by the Australian Retail Credit Association to vary the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014
- National Health (Privacy) Rules 2021 consultation.
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| March | - From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk – new look and feel for Information Matters, Information Awareness Week summary
- National Health (Privacy) Rules 2021 Review
- Privacy Awareness Week 2024
- Malaysian delegate visit to the OAIC office
- FOI complaints and investigations update.
|
| February | - Freedom of Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd and Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind commence
- Notifiable Data Breaches report
- Safer Internet Day 2024
- Draft Privacy (Credit Related Research) Rule 2024 consultation
- Consumer Data Right (CDR) guidance updates
- Privacy Awareness Week 2024
- FOI extensions of time agency resource
- Changes to information requests relating to practical refusals.
|
| January | - Australia's Third Open Government National Action Plan (NAP3)
- Overview of Cyber Security Obligations for Corporate Leaders guidance booklet
- Summary report for our fourth Consumer Data Right (CDR) privacy assessment
- New freedom of information agency resource
- Data Privacy Day
- Privacy Awareness Week in May.
|
2023
| Edition | Summary of contents |
|---|
November/ December | - Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk, and acting Freedom of Information Commissioner Toni Pirani – end of year letter
- DP-REG forum website
- Federal Court proceedings against Australian Clinical Labs Limited
- Planned privacy assessments for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years
- 3-commissioner model commencing in 2024
- Remaking the section 95, 95A and 95AA guidelines
- Privacy Awareness Week 2024
- Public consultation on the proposed approach to remaking the Privacy (Persons Reported as Missing) Rule 2014.
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| October | - The OAIC's 2022-23 Annual report and digital health annual report
- International Access to Information Day 2023.
- Privacy Awareness Week 2024
- 2023 Information Publication Scheme (IPS) Review
- Consultation on proposed updates to Part 6 of the FOI Guidelines
- The Compliance and Enforcement Policy for the Consumer Data Right
- FOI investigation outcomes summary table.
- Information on requesting an extension of time from the OAIC.
|
| September | - Acting Freedom of Information Commissioner Toni Pirani and Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk – International Access to Information Day (IAID)
- UNESCO IAID theme for 2023 – 'the importance of the online space for access to information'
- Information Publication Scheme (IPS) Review.
|
| August | - Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk – Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey
- OAIC Corporate Plan 2023–24
- FOI consultations and investigation outcomes.
- Joint statement published by the OAIC and international data protection and privacy counterparts
- International Access to Information Day 2023.
|
| July | - Assessments conducted across 2022-23
- Downloadable security and access policy template for healthcare providers
- The Australian Financial Review Government Services Summit that Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk attended.
|
| June | - Privacy Awareness Week 2024
- Consumer Data Right videos
- The appointment of Ms Toni Pirani as interim FOI Commissioner
- Current FOI consultations.
|
| May | - The OAIC’s return to a three-Commissioner model
- OAIC funding received in the Budget
- Thank you to supporters of 2023 Privacy Awareness Week
- Consultation on draft revised Information Commissioner review procedure directions.
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| April | - Privacy Awareness Week 2023
- Principles for a nationally consistent approach to accessing Stolen Generations records published by the Healing Foundation Historical Records Taskforce
- Submission to the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy Discussion Paper.
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| March | - Notifiable Data Breaches Report July to December 2022
- Privacy Awareness Week 2023
- Regulatory action policy and guide updates.
|
| February | - Theme for Privacy Awareness Week 2023
- Attorney-General’s Department report on the Privacy Act review
- Guide to Regulatory Action
- OAIC appearance at Senate estimates.
|
| January | - Privacy Awareness Week 2023
- Draft revised Information Publication Scheme guidance
- Providing feedback on Part 13 of the Freedom of Information Guidelines
- Association of Information Access Commissioners meeting
- Assessment of 7 accredited persons’ compliance with Privacy Safeguard 1
- Guide to developing a Consumer Data Right policy.
|
2022
| Edition | Contents |
|---|
| November/December | - 40th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
- Passing of the Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Bill 2022
- Privacy guidance in response, including for not-for-profits and charities.
|
| October | - OAIC 2021–22 Annual report, a summary of the 2022 International Access to Information Day campaign
- Commissioner Angelene Falk’s recently released reports on Consumer Data Right designation instruments
- Digital health report.
|
| September | - Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk and FOI Commissioner Leo Hardiman – International Access to Information Day
- 2021 Independent review of the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014 (CR Code) report
- Privacy Safeguard Guidelines consultation.
|
| August | - Security and access policy template to help healthcare providers comply with their obligations under Rule 42 of the My Health Records Rule 2016
- COVIDSafe app update
- 2022–23 Corporate plan
- Advice for registering privacy impact assessments
- International Access to Information Day
- Consumer Data Right Privacy Safeguard Guidelines consultation.
|
| July | - Guidance on the retention and deletion of personal information collected during the COVID-19 response
- Financial hardship information in the credit reporting system
- FOI Statistics Q4
- Consumer Data Right participant guidance survey.
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| June | - Priorities for 2022–23
- OAIC response to news about facial recognition technology
- FOI statistics returns reminder
- Machinery of Government changes
- New version of the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014
- Resources for privacy officers.
|
| May | - Privacy Awareness Week
- Joint statement issued by Australian information access commissioners and privacy authorities to mark National Sorry Day
- Video guides for rights and obligations when submitting and responding to requests for personal information
- Open Gov Week
- Information Awareness Month.
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| April | - Privacy Awareness Week
- Information Awareness Month
- OAIC 2021–22 Assessment Program
- Global Privacy Assembly’s Digital Citizen and Consumer Working Group
- New version of the Credit Reporting Code.
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| March | - The newly appointed Freedom of Information Commissioner
- Digital Platform Regulators Forum
- Changes to the Credit Reporting Code
- International Women’s Day interview with Commissioner Angelene Falk
- Individual Healthcare Identifier guidance
- Privacy Awareness Week 2022.
|
| February | - Senate estimates
- Notifiable Data Breaches scheme
- Privacy Awareness Week 2022.
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| January | - Australian Federal Police privacy determination
- Data Privacy Day
- Privacy Act review
- Regulator statement of intent
- Consumer Data Right guides
- COVID-19 guidance and advice
- Safer Internet Day.
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2021
| Edition | Contents |
|---|
| November/December | - COVID-19 privacy guidance
- Clearview AI privacy determination
- Consultation on the Credit Reporting Code
- Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities
- Global Privacy Assembly events
- Consumer Data Right privacy assessment.
|
| October | - 2020–21 Annual Report
- Australian Government review of the Privacy Act 1988
- OAIC findings against 7-Eleven
- Children’s Week.
|
| September | - International Access to Information Day
- Open by Design Principles
- Commissioner’s ICON address
- COVID-19 guidance
- OAIC international engagement.
|
| August | - Notifiable Data Breaches Report
- Corporate Plan 2021–22
- International Access to Information Day
- COVID-19 guidance
- Data-matching Rules
- Consumer Data Right videos.
|
| July | - Uber privacy determination
- My Health Record emergency access guidance
- International regulatory collaboration
- International Access to Information Day campaign.
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| June | - Government-wide audit of privacy impact assessment registers
- Publication of the OAIC's second COVIDSafe Privacy Report
- Findings from the first OAIC COVIDSafe assessment
- Consumer Data Right.
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| May | - Commissioner Angelene Falk update
- International collaboration
- Information Commissioner review decisions.
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| April | - Feedback on a draft Information Commissioner review direction for applicants
- Data-Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Guidelines 1994
- ICON webinar
- e-learning course - Privacy in Practice.
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| March | - Privacy Awareness Week 2021
- ICON webinar
- Information Awareness Month
- Open Data Day.
|
| February | - Privacy guidance for employers on the collection of staff vaccination status
- Guide to Securing Personal Information
- Privacy Awareness Week 2021
- Commissioner-initiated investigation into the Department of Home Affairs
- Consumer Data Right updates.
|
| January | - Notifiable Data Breaches Report
- Department of Home Affairs privacy determination
- Data Privacy Day
- Safer Internet Day
- Consumer Data Right resources.
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2020
| Edition | Contents |
|---|
| November/December | - OAIC submission to the Australian Government’s review of the Privacy Act 1988
- Flight Centre determination
- Global Privacy Assembly and Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum
- Publication of the OAIC's first 6-month report on the privacy protections in the COVIDSafe app
- 2019–20 Annual Report on the provision of privacy services to the Australian Capital Territory.
|
| October | - Privacy Act review details
- Annual Report 2019–20
- Regulatory cooperation
- Consumer Data Right
- Children’s Week.
|
| September | - Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey 2020
- International Access to Information Day
- FOI Essentials
- Facebook ruling
- Information on when to conduct a privacy impact assessment
- Data Availability and Transparency Bill.
|
| August | - Corporate Plan 2020–21
- International Access to Information Day
- Regulatory cooperation
- Memorandums of understanding
- Disclosure of public servants’ personal information in response to freedom of information requests
- Scams Awareness Week
- Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey 2020
- COVID-19 resources.
|
| July | - Notifiable Data Breaches report
- OAIC and UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office joint investigation
- Open letter to video teleconferencing companies reminding them of their obligations to comply with the law and handle people’s information responsibly
- COVID-19 resources
- Consumer Data Right is here
- Step-by-step guide to accessing government information
- Freedom of Information Guidelines.
|
| June | - COVID-19 resources
- Consumer Data Right
- Regulatory cooperation
- Freedom of information resources
- Updates to the Freedom of Information Guidelines.
|
| May | - Privacy oversight of COVIDSafe app
- Consumer Data Right update
- Information Awareness Month
- COVID-19 record keeping
- Regulatory cooperation
- Privacy Awareness Week 2020
- Privacy Impact Assessment Tool.
|
| April | - Privacy Awareness Week 2020
- PAW events
- COVIDSafe app
- Privacy in practice for agency staff
- Information Awareness Month
- frequently asked questions about freedom of information and COVID-19
- Access to information during the pandemic
- COVID-19 privacy resources.
|
| March | - COVID-19 privacy and freedom of information resources
- Commissioner launches Federal Court action against Facebook
- FOI SmartForms updated
- Privacy Awareness Week 2020.
|
| February | - Notifiable Data Breaches Report
- Action plan for health service providers
- Consumer Data Right update
- Appointment of new Assistant Commissioner
- ICON session.
|
| January | - Privacy Awareness Week 2020
- Consumer Data Right update
- Regulatory cooperation
- Freedom of information statistics
- Safer Internet Day
- Credit Reporting Code variation approved.
|
2025
| Edition | Summary of contents |
|---|
|
December
| - From the desk of the Information Commissioner
- AGS FOI and Privacy Law Conference keynote speech
- Kmart determination and FRT in Australian society
- Australian Clinical Labs ordered to pay penalties
- Social media minimum age
- New Notifiable Data Breach statistics dashboard
- Privacy compliance sweep
- Cambridge Analytica payment program closing soon
- Updated Australian Privacy Principles (APP) Guidelines in Chapters 1, 8 and 11
- FOI stats: Q2 returns due 21 January 2026
- Extension of time applications for FOI requests
- Recent IC review decisions
|
| June/July | - From the desk of the Information Commissioner
- Meta to make payments to users impacted by the Cambridge Analytica matter
- Qantas cyber incident
- Privacy Awareness Week 2025
- Privacy Foundations self-assessment tool
- Digital platforms inquiry report
- FOI Guidelines update
- Guidance for emergencies and disasters
- Children’s Privacy Code: issues paper
|
| May | - From the desk of the Privacy Commissioner
- Decision highlights risks using third-party providers
- Privacy Awareness Week: coming up soon
- Stats show record year for data breaches
- Statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy
- Buy Now Pay Later reforms
- Open Gov Week recap
- FOI Guidelines updates – part 3
- Children’s Privacy Code: consultation
- Update to health privacy guidance
|
| April | - From the desk of the Acting Australian Information Commissioner
- Automated decision-making guide
- AIAC highlight stewardship
- Opportunities at the OAIC
- Revisions to the FOI Guidelines
- FOI practitioners' webinar
- Children's Privacy Code
|
| March | - From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner
- New translated resource
- Privacy Awareness Week 2025
- Recent podcasts
- Opportunities at the OAIC
- FOI processing period calculator
- Revisions to the FOI Guidelines
- FOI dashboard and caseload data
- Independent review of the CR Code
|
| February | - From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner
- OAIC accepts Oxfam Australia enforceable undertaking
- Information Awareness Week this March
- Job opportunities
- FOI self-assessment tool for agencies
- FOI statistics and guidance on our website
- Our new digital ID regulatory strategy
- Children’s Online Privacy Code
|
| January | - From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner
- Landmark settlement of $50m from Meta
- Privacy Awareness Week 2025 theme and dates
- New functions
- Job opportunities
- Safer Internet Day
- FOI Statistics Dashboard
- FOI Practitioners Survey
- Consultation on proposed variation to the Credit Reporting Code.
|
2026
| Edition | Summary of contents |
|---|
| March | - From the desk of the Information Commissioner
- Freedom of Information Amendment Bill
- Bunnings decision: facial recognition technology
- Automated decision-making
- Privacy Awareness Week
- Age assurance guidance
- Individual privacy rights
- Children's Online Privacy Code
- New global findings on children's online privacy
- Survey: Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy
- AML/CTF guidance updates and checklist
- FOI Commissioner update: observations, priorities and expectations
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| February | - From the desk of the Information Commissioner
- Privacy compliance sweep
- Bunnings decision: facial recognition technology
- My Health Record Guidelines
- Consumer Data Right Regulatory Strategy
- Children's Online Privacy Code
- Updated privacy guidance for businesses under the AML/CTF Act
- Report: ADM and public reporting under FOI
- Strong records, strong APS: Join the campaign
- Recent IC review decisions
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