Glossary · Australian Compliance
Privacy Act 1988
The Australian federal law that governs how organisations collect, use, disclose and protect personal information.
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The Privacy Act 1988 sets out the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which apply to most Australian businesses with annual turnover above $3 million plus all health service providers and certain other categories regardless of size. The APPs cover open and transparent handling of personal information, anonymity and pseudonymity, collection limits, use and disclosure rules, cross-border disclosure, data quality, security and the right of individuals to access and correct their information. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) enforces the Act. Reforms expanding scope and penalties have been progressing through 2023-2026.
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