Privacy Act 1988

Citation

Commonwealth of Australia, Privacy Act 1988 (Cth.) (full-text).

Overview

Act deals with the privacy of personal information. Part III Division I sets out what are interferences with privacy.

Section 14 of the Act stipulates a number of privacy rights known as the Information Privacy Principles. These principles apply to Australian Government and Australian Capital Territory agencies or private sector organizations contracted to these governments. The principles govern when and how personal information can be collected by these government agencies. The information must only be collected if relevant to the agencies' functions. Australians have a right to know why such information about them is being acquired, and who will see the information. Those in charge of storing the information have obligations to ensure such information is neither lost nor exploited. An Australian will also have the right to access the information unless this is specifically prohibited by law.