Division 1 - General definitions
6 - Interpretation6AA - Meaning of responsible person6A - Breach of an Australian Privacy Principle6B - Breach of a registered APP code6BA - Breach of the registered CR code6C - Organisations6D - Small business and small business operators6DA - What is the annual turnover of a business?6E - Small business operator treated as organisation6EA - Small business operators choosing to be treated as organisations6F - State instrumentalities etc. treated as organisations6FA - Meaning of health information6FB - Meaning of health serviceDivision 2 - Key definitions relating to credit reporting
Subdivision A - Credit provider
6G - Meaning of credit provider6H - Agents of credit providers6J - Securitisation arrangements etc.6K - Acquisition of the rights of a credit providerSubdivision B - Other definitions
6L - Meaning of access seeker6M - Meaning of credit and amount of credit6N - Meaning of credit information6P - Meaning of credit reporting business6Q - Meaning of default information6R - Meaning of information request6S - Meaning of new arrangement information6T - Meaning of payment information6U - Meaning of personal insolvency information6V - Meaning of repayment history informationDivision 3 - Other matters
7 - Acts and practices of agencies, organisations etc.7A - Acts of certain agencies treated as acts of organisation7B - Exempt acts and exempt practices of organisations7C - Political acts and practices are exempt8 - Acts and practices of, and disclosure of information to, staff of agency, organisation etc.10 - Agencies that are taken to hold a record11 - File number recipients12A - Act not to apply in relation to State banking or insurance within that State12B - Severability—additional effect of this ActDivision 1 - Interferences with privacy
13 - Interferences with privacy13B - Related bodies corporate13C - Change in partnership because of change in partners13D - Overseas act required by foreign law13E - Effect of sections 13B, 13C and 13D13F - Act or practice not covered by section 13 is not an interference with privacy13G - Serious and repeated interferences with privacyDivision 2 - Australian Privacy Principles
14 - Australian Privacy Principles15 - APP entities must comply with Australian Privacy Principles16 - Personal, family or household affairs16A - Permitted general situations in relation to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information16B - Permitted health situations in relation to the collection, use or disclosure of health information16C - Acts and practices of overseas recipients of personal informationDivision 4 - Tax file number information
17 - Rules relating to tax file number information18 - File number recipients to comply with rulesDivision 1 - Introduction
19 - Guide to this PartDivision 2 - Credit reporting bodies
Subdivision A - Introduction and application of this Division etc.
20 - Guide to this Division20A - Application of this Division and the Australian Privacy Principles to credit reporting bodiesSubdivision B - Consideration of information privacy
20B - Open and transparent management of credit reporting informationSubdivision C - Collection of credit information
20C - Collection of solicited credit information20D - Dealing with unsolicited credit informationSubdivision D - Dealing with credit reporting information etc.
20E - Use or disclosure of credit reporting information20F - Permitted CRB disclosures in relation to individuals20G - Use or disclosure of credit reporting information for the purposes of direct marketing20H - Use or disclosure of pre screening assessments20J - Destruction of pre screening assessment20K - No use or disclosure of credit reporting information during a ban period20L - Adoption of government related identifiers20M - Use or disclosure of credit reporting information that is de identifiedSubdivision E - Integrity of credit reporting information
20N - Quality of credit reporting information20P - False or misleading credit reporting information20Q - Security of credit reporting informationSubdivision F - Access to, and correction of, information
20R - Access to credit reporting information20S - Correction of credit reporting information20T - Individual may request the correction of credit information etc.20U - Notice of correction etc. must be givenSubdivision G - Dealing with credit reporting information after the retention period ends etc.
20V - Destruction etc. of credit reporting information after the retention period ends20W - Retention period for credit information—general20X - Retention period for credit information—personal insolvency information20Y - Destruction of credit reporting information in cases of fraud20Z - Dealing with information if there is a pending correction request etc.20ZA - Dealing with information if an Australian law etc. requires it to be retainedDivision 3 - Credit providers
Subdivision A - Introduction and application of this Division
21 - Guide to this Division21A - Application of this Division to credit providersSubdivision B - Consideration of information privacy
21B - Open and transparent management of credit information etc.Subdivision C - Dealing with credit information
21C - Additional notification requirements for the collection of personal information etc.21D - Disclosure of credit information to a credit reporting body21E - Payment information must be disclosed to a credit reporting body21F - Limitation on the disclosure of credit information during a ban periodSubdivision D - Dealing with credit eligibility information etc.
21G - Use or disclosure of credit eligibility information21H - Permitted CP uses in relation to individuals21J - Permitted CP disclosures between credit providers21K - Permitted CP disclosures relating to guarantees etc.21L - Permitted CP disclosures to mortgage insurers21M - Permitted CP disclosures to debt collectors21N - Permitted CP disclosures to other recipients21NA - Disclosures to certain persons and bodies that do not have an Australian link21P - Notification of a refusal of an application for consumer creditSubdivision E - Integrity of credit information and credit eligibility information
21Q - Quality of credit eligibility information21R - False or misleading credit information or credit eligibility information21S - Security of credit eligibility informationSubdivision F - Access to, and correction of, information
21T - Access to credit eligibility information21U - Correction of credit information or credit eligibility information21V - Individual may request the correction of credit information etc.21W - Notice of correction etc. must be givenDivision 4 - Affected information recipients
22 - Guide to this DivisionSubdivision A - Consideration of information privacy
22A - Open and transparent management of regulated informationSubdivision B - Dealing with regulated information
22B - Additional notification requirements for affected information recipients22C - Use or disclosure of information by mortgage insurers or trade insurers22D - Use or disclosure of information by a related body corporate22E - Use or disclosure of information by credit managers etc.22F - Use or disclosure of information by advisers etc.Division 5 - Complaints
23 - Guide to this Division23A - Individual may complain about a breach of a provision of this Part etc.23B - Dealing with complaints23C - Notification requirements relating to correction complaintsDivision 6 - Unauthorised obtaining of credit reporting information etc.
24 - Obtaining credit reporting information from a credit reporting body24A - Obtaining credit eligibility information from a credit providerDivision 7 - Court orders
25 - Compensation orders25A - Other orders to compensate loss or damageDivision 1 - Introduction
26 - Guide to this PartDivision 2 - Registered APP codes
Subdivision A - Compliance with registered APP codes etc.
26A - APP entities to comply with binding registered APP codes26B - What is a registered APP code26C - What is an APP code26D - Extension of Act to exempt acts or practices covered by registered APP codesSubdivision B - Development and registration of APP codes
26E - Development of APP codes by APP code developers26F - Application for registration of APP codes26G - Development of APP codes by the Commissioner26H - Commissioner may register APP codesSubdivision C - Variation and removal of registered APP codes
26J - Variation of registered APP codes26K - Removal of registered APP codesDivision 3 - Registered CR code
Subdivision A - Compliance with the registered CR code
26L - Entities to comply with the registered CR code if bound by the code26M - What is the registered CR code26N - What is a CR codeSubdivision B - Development and registration of CR code
26P - Development of CR code by CR code developers26Q - Application for registration of CR code26R - Development of CR code by the Commissioner26S - Commissioner may register CR codeSubdivision C - Variation of the registered CR code
26T - Variation of the registered CR codeDivision 4 - General matters
26U - Codes Register26V - Guidelines relating to codes26W - Review of operation of registered codesDivision 1 - Introduction
26WA - Simplified outline of this Part26WB - Entity26WC - Deemed holding of information26WD - Exception—notification under the My Health Records Act 2012Division 2 - Eligible data breach
26WE - Eligible data breach26WF - Exception—remedial action26WG - Whether access or disclosure would be likely, or would not be likely, to result in serious harm—relevant mattersDivision 3 - Notification of eligible data breaches
Subdivision A - Suspected eligible data breaches
26WH - Assessment of suspected eligible data breach26WJ - Exception—eligible data breaches of other entitiesSubdivision B - General notification obligations
26WK - Statement about eligible data breach26WL - Entity must notify eligible data breach26WM - Exception—eligible data breaches of other entities26WN - Exception—enforcement related activities26WP - Exception—inconsistency with secrecy provisions26WQ - Exception—declaration by CommissionerSubdivision C - Commissioner may direct entity to notify eligible data breach
26WR - Commissioner may direct entity to notify eligible data breach26WS - Exception—enforcement related activities26WT - Exception—inconsistency with secrecy provisionsDivision 2 - Functions of Commissioner
27 - Functions of the Commissioner28 - Guidance related functions of the Commissioner28A - Monitoring related functions of the Commissioner28B - Advice related functions of the Commissioner29 - Commissioner must have due regard to the objects of the ActDivision 3 - Reports by Commissioner
30 - Reports following investigation of act or practice31 - Report following examination of proposed enactment32 - Commissioner may report to the Minister if the Commissioner has monitored certain activities etc.33 - Exclusion of certain matters from reportsDivision 3A - Assessments by, or at the direction of, the Commissioner
33C - Commissioner may conduct an assessment relating to the Australian Privacy Principles etc.33D - Commissioner may direct an agency to give a privacy impact assessmentDivision 4 - Miscellaneous
34 - Provisions relating to documents exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 198235 - Direction where refusal or failure to amend exempt document35A - Commissioner may recognise external dispute resolution schemesDivision 1A - Introduction
36A - Guide to this PartDivision 1 - Investigation of complaints and investigations on the Commissioner’s initiative
36 - Complaints37 - Principal executive of agency38 - Conditions for making a representative complaint38A - Commissioner may determine that a complaint is not to continue as a representative complaint38B - Additional rules applying to the determination of representative complaints38C - Amendment of representative complaints39 - Class member for representative complaint not entitled to lodge individual complaint40 - Investigations40A - Conciliation of complaints41 - Commissioner may or must decide not to investigate etc. in certain circumstances42 - Preliminary inquiries43 - Conduct of investigations43A - Interested party may request a hearing44 - Power to obtain information and documents45 - Power to examine witnesses46 - Directions to persons to attend compulsory conference47 - Conduct of compulsory conference48 - Complainant and certain other persons to be informed of various matters49 - Investigation under section 40 to cease if certain offences may have been committed49A - Investigation under section 40 to cease if civil penalty provision under Personal Property Securities Act 2009 may have been contravened50 - Reference of matters to other authorities50A - Substitution of respondent to complaint51 - Effect of investigation by Auditor GeneralDivision 2 - Determinations following investigation of complaints
52 - Determination of the Commissioner53 - Determination must identify the class members who are to be affected by the determination53A - Notice to be given to outsourcing agency53B - Substituting an agency for a contracted service providerDivision 3 - Enforcement
54 - Application of Division55 - Obligations of organisations and small business operators55A - Proceedings in the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court to enforce a determination55B - Evidentiary certificateDivision 4 - Review and enforcement of determinations involving Commonwealth agencies
57 - Application of Division58 - Obligations of agencies59 - Obligations of principal executive of agency60 - Compensation and expenses62 - Enforcement of determination against an agencyDivision 5 - Miscellaneous
63 - Legal assistance64 - Commissioner etc. not to be sued65 - Failure to attend etc. before Commissioner66 - Failure to give information etc.67 - Protection from civil actions68 - Power to enter premises68A - Identity cards70 - Certain documents and information not required to be disclosed70B - Application of this Part to former organisationsDivision 1 - Public interest determinations
71 - Interpretation72 - Power to make, and effect of, determinations73 - Application by APP entity74 - Publication of application etc.75 - Draft determination76 - Conference77 - Conduct of conference78 - Determination of application79 - Making of determinationDivision 2 - Temporary public interest determinations
80A - Temporary public interest determinations80B - Effect of temporary public interest determination80D - Commissioner may continue to consider applicationDivision 3 - Register of determinations
80E - Register of determinationsDivision 1 - Object and interpretation
80F - Object80G - Interpretation80H - Meaning of permitted purposeDivision 2 - Declaration of emergency
80J - Declaration of emergency—events of national significance80K - Declaration of emergency—events outside Australia80L - Form of declarations80M - When declarations take effect80N - When declarations cease to have effectDivision 3 - Provisions dealing with the use and disclosure of personal information
80P - Authorisation of collection, use and disclosure of personal informationDivision 4 - Other matters
80Q - Disclosure of information—offence80R - Operation of Part80S - Severability—additional effect of Part80T - Compensation for acquisition of property—constitutional safety netDivision 1 - Civil penalties
80U - Civil penalty provisionsDivision 2 - Enforceable undertakings
80V - Enforceable undertakingsDivision 3 - Injunctions
80W - Injunctions95 - Medical research guidelines95A - Guidelines for Australian Privacy Principles about health information95AA - Guidelines for Australian Privacy Principles about genetic information95B - Requirements for Commonwealth contracts95C - Disclosure of certain provisions of Commonwealth contracts96 - Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal98A - Treatment of partnerships98B - Treatment of unincorporated associations98C - Treatment of trusts99A - Conduct of directors, employees and agents100 - Regulations
Part 1 - Consideration of personal information privacy
1 - Australian Privacy Principle 1—open and transparent management of personal information2 - Australian Privacy Principle 2—anonymity and pseudonymityPart 2 - Collection of personal information
3 - Australian Privacy Principle 3—collection of solicited personal information4 - Australian Privacy Principle 4—dealing with unsolicited personal information5 - Australian Privacy Principle 5—notification of the collection of personal informationPart 3 - Dealing with personal information
6 - Australian Privacy Principle 6—use or disclosure of personal information7 - Australian Privacy Principle 7—direct marketing8 - Australian Privacy Principle 8—cross border disclosure of personal information9 - Australian Privacy Principle 9—adoption, use or disclosure of government related identifiersPart 4 - Integrity of personal information
10 - Australian Privacy Principle 10—quality of personal information11 - Australian Privacy Principle 11—security of personal informationPart 5 - Access to, and correction of, personal information
12 - Australian Privacy Principle 12—access to personal information13 - Australian Privacy Principle 13—correction of personal information(a) an organisation that is or was a party to the government contract and that is or was responsible for the provision of services to an agency or a State or Territory authority under the government contract; or
(d) the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority; or
(m) another prescribed authority or body that is established under a law of a State or Territory to conduct criminal investigations or inquiries; or
(n) a State or Territory authority, to the extent that it is responsible for administering, or performing a function under, a law that imposes a penalty or sanction or a prescribed law; or
(o) a State or Territory authority, to the extent that it is responsible for administering a law relating to the protection of the public revenue.
(b) a State or Territory authority; or
(c) an agent of an agency, or a State or Territory authority, acting in its capacity as agent; or
State contract means a contract, to which a State or Territory or State or Territory authority is or was a party, under which services are to be, or were to be, provided to a State or Territory authority.
Note: See also subsection (9) about provision of services to a State or Territory authority.
State or Territory authority has the meaning given by section 6C.
(b) that is or was responsible under the subcontract for the provision of services to an agency or a State or Territory authority, or to a contracted service provider for the government contract, for the purposes (whether direct or indirect) of the government contract.
(9) To avoid doubt, for the purposes of this Act, services provided to an agency or a State or Territory authority include services that consist of the provision of services to other persons in connection with the performance of the functions of the agency or State or Territory authority.
that is not a small business operator, a registered political party, an agency, a State or Territory authority or a prescribed instrumentality of a State or Territory.
Example: Regulations may prescribe an instrumentality of a State or Territory that is an incorporated company, society or association and therefore not a State or Territory authority.
What is a State or Territory authority?
State or Territory authority means:
(1) This Act applies, with the prescribed modifications (if any), in relation to a prescribed State or Territory authority or a prescribed instrumentality of a State or Territory (except an instrumentality that is an organisation because of section 6C) as if the authority or instrumentality were an organisation.
Note 2: Regulations may prescribe an authority or instrumentality by reference to one or more classes of authority or instrumentality. See subsection 13(3) of the Legislation Act 2003.
(3) Before the Governor General makes regulations prescribing a State or Territory authority or instrumentality of a State or Territory for the purposes of subsection (1), the Minister must:
(a) be satisfied that the relevant State or Territory has requested that the authority or instrumentality be prescribed for those purposes; and
(b) consult the Commissioner about the desirability of regulating under this Act the collection, holding, use, correction and disclosure of personal information by the authority or instrumentality.
(vi) an authority signed under section 188 of that Act that relates to the property of the individual.
(1) An act done, or practice engaged in, by an organisation (the political representative) consisting of a member of a Parliament, or a councillor (however described) of a local government authority, is exempt for the purposes of paragraph 7(1)(ee) if the act is done, or the practice is engaged in, for any purpose in connection with:
(4) An act done voluntarily, or practice engaged in voluntarily, by an organisation for or on behalf of a registered political party and with the authority of the party is exempt for the purposes of paragraph 7(1)(ee) if the act is done or the practice is engaged in for any purpose in connection with one or more of the following:
electoral law means a law of the Commonwealth, or a law of a State or Territory, relating to elections to a Parliament or to a local government authority.
(4) If the personal insolvency information relates to an authority signed under section 188 of the Bankruptcy Act, the retention period for the information is the period that ends on the day on which the property to which the authority relates is no longer subject to control under Division 2 of Part X of that Act.
(a) the disclosure is to a State or Territory authority; and
(b) the functions or responsibilities of the authority include:
(c) the information is disclosed for the purpose of enabling the authority:
(b) a person or authority acting on behalf of the Commissioner.
Neither the Commissioner nor a person acting under his or her direction or authority is liable to an action, suit or proceeding in relation to an act done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of any power or authority conferred by this Act.
(ii) a State or Territory authority; or
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(f), court includes any tribunal, authority or person having power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions.
(6) The Governor General shall so exercise the power of appointment conferred by subsection (3) that a majority of the appointed members are persons who are neither officers nor employees, nor members of the staff of an authority or instrumentality, of the Commonwealth.
(aa) at least one must be a person who has had at least 5 years’ experience at a high level in public administration, or the service of a government or an authority of a government; and
(1) This section allows the Commissioner to approve for the purposes of the Australian Privacy Principles guidelines that are issued by the CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council or a prescribed authority.
(a) that the conduct was engaged in by a director, employee or agent of the body corporate within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority; and
(2) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a body corporate by a director, employee or agent of the body corporate within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority is to be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence against this Act or proceedings for a civil penalty order under the Regulatory Powers Act (as it applies in relation to the civil penalty provisions of this Act), to have been engaged in also by the body corporate unless the body corporate establishes that the body corporate took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.
(a) that the conduct was engaged in by an employee or agent of the person within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority; and
(4) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a person other than a body corporate by an employee or agent of a person within the scope of his or her actual or apparent authority is to be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence against this Act or proceedings for a civil penalty order under the Regulatory Powers Act (as it applies in relation to the civil penalty provisions of this Act), to have been engaged in also by the first mentioned person unless the first mentioned person establishes that the first mentioned person took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.
(a) the relevant agency or State or Territory authority or, if the relevant agency or State or Territory authority has a principal executive, the principal executive:
(b) the use or disclosure of the identifier is reasonably necessary for the organisation to fulfil its obligations to an agency or a State or Territory authority; or
