Information Matters newsletter

We regularly publish news about our upcoming events, latest guidance and activities in our newsletter, Information Matters. Subscribe to never miss an edition.

In the current edition (September 2023) – Acting Freedom of Information Commissioner Toni Pirani and Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk share their thoughts about the upcoming International Access to Information Day, plus further information about the UNESCO theme for 2023 – the importance of the online space for access to information. Details about our 2023 Information Publication Scheme (IPS) Review, along with more information about recent and upcoming speaking engagements involving the OAIC.

Past editions

2023

Edition	Contents
August	This edition includes a message from Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk about our recently released Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey. We link to the recently published OAIC Corporate plan 2023-24, and provide details on our freedom of information consultations and investigation outcomes. We share a joint statement published by the OAIC and 11 of our international data protection and privacy counterparts, plus details about the upcoming International Access to Information Day.
July	We share our key takeaways from assessments conducted across the 2022-23 financial year, provide a downloadable security and access policy template for healthcare providers, and an update on our activity in the freedom of information space. We also provide an outline of The Australian Financial Review Government Services Summit that Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk recently attended.
June	An update on how to sign up as an early supporter for Privacy Awareness Week 2024, along with links to a series of informative Consumer Data Right videos available on our website. We welcome the appointment of Ms Toni Pirani as interim FOI Commissioner, and share information on two current FOI consultations.
May	Includes information about the OAIC’s return to the three-Commissioner model and funding received in the Budget, we give our thanks to supporters of Privacy Awareness Week, which ran from 1 to 7 May, and outline details of our consultation on draft revised Information Commissioner review procedure directions, which closes this Friday 2 June.
April	Shares information about the upcoming Privacy Awareness Week, the final principles for a nationally consistent approach to accessing Stolen Generations records published by the Healing Foundation Historical Records Taskforce, details about our submission to the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy Discussion Paper
March	Discusses our Notifiable Data Breaches Report July to December 2022, Privacy Awareness Week 2023, updates to the regulatory action policy and guide, and recent Information Commissioner decisions.
February	Theme for Privacy Awareness Week 2023 announced, release of the Attorney-General’s Department’s report on the Privacy Act review, an update on the Guide to Regulatory Action, and an outline of the OAIC’s appearance at Senate estimates.
January	Information about Privacy Awareness Week 2023, draft revised Information Publication Scheme guidance, information on providing feedback on Part 13 of the Freedom of Information Guidelines, a recap on the Association of Information Access Commissioners meeting, a summary of our assessment of 7 accredited persons’ compliance with Privacy Safeguard 1, and a guide to developing a Consumer Data Right policy.

2022

Edition	Contents
November/December	Recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, information on the passing of the Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Bill 2022 and our new privacy guidance in response, including for not-for-profits and charities.
October	The OAIC's 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, and information on the digital health report.
September	A message from Commissioners Angelene Falk and Leo Hardiman for International Access to Information Day, a report on the 2021 Independent review of the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014 (CR Code), and the latest on our Privacy Safeguard Guidelines consultation.
August	A security and access policy template to help healthcare providers comply with their obligations under Rule 42 of the My Health Records Rule 2016, an update on the COVIDSafe app, the 2022–23 Corporate plan, best practice advice for registering privacy impact assessments, an update on International Access to Information Day, and information on the 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, a reminder about FOI Statistics Q4, and information on the Consumer Data Right participant guidance survey.
June	Information on the collective priorities for 2022–23, our response to the recent news about facial recognition technology, a reminder about freedom of information statistics returns, information on the requirements around Machinery of Government changes, an update on the new version of the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014, and a list of handy OAIC resources available for privacy officers.
May	A recap on Privacy Awareness Week, a joint statement issued by Australian information access commissioners and privacy authorities that marks National Sorry Day, video guides for rights and obligations when submitting and responding to requests for personal information, information about Open Gov Week, plus a recap on Information Awareness Month.
April	Information on the virtual Privacy Awareness Week launch event and Information Awareness Month, key insights from the OAIC’s 2021–22 Assessment Program, and learn about the Global Privacy Assembly’s Digital Citizen and Consumer Working Group that the OAIC co-chairs alongside Canada, plus the new version of the Credit Reporting Code.
March	The newly appointed Freedom of Information Commissioner, the OAIC’s Digital Platform Regulators Forum collaboration, changes to the Credit Reporting Code, plus an interview with Commissioner Angelene Falk for International Women’s Day, our new Individual Healthcare Identifier guidance, and an update on our Privacy Awareness Week 2022 campaign.
February	The OAIC’s appearance at Senate estimates, information on the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme and more about our Privacy Awareness Week 2022 campaign.
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, and Safer Internet Day.

2021

Edition	Contents
November/December	COVID-19 privacy guidance, the Clearview AI privacy determination, new consultation on the Credit Reporting Code, updates on the recent Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities and Global Privacy Assembly events, and information on the Consumer Data Right privacy assessment.
October	Highlights from our 2020–21 Annual Report, developments in the Australian Government’s review of the Privacy Act 1988, information on our recent findings against convenience store group 7-Eleven, the importance of protecting children’s privacy during Children’s Week, and more on the work we’re doing internationally.
September	Information access in the spotlight for International Access to Information Day, the release of new Open by Design Principles, our Commissioner’s ICON address, updates to COVID-19 guidance, and information on our international engagement.
August	Key findings from our latest Notifiable Data Breaches Report, our Corporate Plan 2021–22, International Access to Information Day, the latest COVID-19 guidance and advice, Data-matching Rules, and our new Consumer Data Right videos.
July	The Uber privacy determination, My Health Record emergency access guidance, international regulatory cooperation and collaboration, and the International Access to Information Day campaign.
June	Information on the government-wide audit of privacy impact assessment registers, the publication of our second COVIDSafe Privacy Report and the findings from our first COVIDSafe assessment, and the Consumer Data Right marks a major milestone heading into the new financial year.
May	Commissioner Angelene Falk provides an update, our recent international work, and our current consultations and Information Commissioner review decisions.
April	Calls for feedback on a draft Information Commissioner review direction for applicants and an update to the Data-Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Guidelines 1994, our latest ICON webinar, and our e-learning course for Australian Government agencies, Privacy in Practice.
March	The Privacy Awareness Week campaign website and other events including our next ICON webinar, Information Awareness Month and Open Data Day.
February	Privacy guidance for employers on the collection of staff vaccination status, Guide to Securing Personal Information, details on Privacy Awareness Week 2021, Commissioner-initiated investigation into the Department of Home Affairs, and Consumer Data Right updates.
January	Notifiable Data Breaches Report, the Department of Home Affairs privacy determination, Data Privacy Day, Safer Internet Day, and Consumer Data Right resources.

2020

Edition	Contents
November/December	Our submission on the Australian Government’s review of the Privacy Act 1988, our recent Flight Centre determination, updates from the Global Privacy Assembly and Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum, the publication of our first 6-month report on the privacy protections in the COVIDSafe app, and our 2019–20 Annual Report on the provision of privacy services to the Australian Capital Territory.
October	Details on the Privacy Act review, Annual Report 2019–20, regulatory cooperation, a Consumer Data Right milestone, and 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, and exposure draft of the 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, and COVID-19 resources.
July	Notifiable Data Breaches report, OAIC and UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office joint investigation, an 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, a step-by-step guide to accessing government information, and updates to the Freedom of Information Guidelines.
June	COVID-19 resources, Consumer Data Right is coming, regulatory cooperation, new freedom of information resources – finding requested documents, and updates to the Freedom of Information Guidelines.
May	Privacy oversight of COVIDSafe app, Consumer Data Right update, Information Awareness Month and COVID-19 record keeping, regulatory cooperation, Privacy Awareness Week 2020, and the Privacy Impact Assessment Tool.
April	Privacy Awareness Week 2020, PAW events, the 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, and new COVID-19 privacy resources.
March	COVID-19 privacy and freedom of information (FOI) resources, Commissioner launches Federal Court action against Facebook, FOI SmartForms updated, and Privacy Awareness Week 2020.
February	Notifiable Data Breaches Report, action plan for health service providers, Consumer Data Right update, appointment of new Assistant Commissioner, and information on an upcoming ICON session.
January	Privacy Awareness Week 2020, Consumer Data Right update, regulatory cooperation, freedom of information statistics reminder, Safer Internet Day, and the Credit Reporting Code variation approved.