Warning: The information in this fact sheet may be out of date and should not be relied upon. We are currently in the process of updating all fact sheets.
The information contained in this fact sheet is current as at 15 November 2006.
Topic 8 - Government Accountability
8.4 Privacy
8.4.1. Privacy NSW
Privacy NSW is the Office of the NSW Privacy Commissioner, established on 1 February 1999 under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 . The role of Privacy NSW is to:
educate the people of NSW about the meaning and value of privacy and to assist them in the protection and enhancement of that privacy
promote the adoption of world's best privacy practice by all holders of personal data, particularly NSW Government agencies, thereby promoting an increased level of trust in the community, especially between people and their government.
Privacy NSW protects privacy in the following ways:
by advising individuals, government agencies, business and other organisations on what steps they should take to ensure that the right to privacy is protected
by researching significant developments in policy, law and technology which may have an impact on privacy and by making reports and recommendations to relevant authorities
by answering inquiries and educating the community about privacy issues
by advising people of possible remedies for breaches of their privacy
by receiving , investigating and conciliating complaints about breaches of privacy
by overseeing the conduct of Internal Reviews into privacy complaints
by appearing in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal in the review of privacy cases.
To make a complaint about a privacy issue contact Privacy NSW on 9228 8585.
8.4.2. Australian Privacy Commission
The Australian Privacy Commission is an independent Office which has responsibilities under the Privacy Act 1988.
The Act provides protection for:
Personal information that is handled by Australian and ACT government agencies;
Personal information about you held by all large private sector organisations , all private sector health service providers and some small businesses;
Credit worthiness information held by credit reporting agencies and credit providers; and
The Commission has a hotline for general assistance, and also investigates complaints from individuals about interferences with privacy by the Australian and ACT governments, as well as the private sector. The contact number is 1300 363 992 and their website address is www.privacy.gov.au
