Click here for a mock-up copy of the Act . Click here for a mock-up copy of the Act . The Act also gives individuals access and correction rights in relation to their own personal information. Other Commonwealth laws contain privacy provisions relating to information about health insurance claims, data matching, information about old criminal convictions and personal information disclosed by telecommunications companies.
Privacy issues arise in a wide range of areas and circumstances.
Privacy legislation deals mainly with information privacy - the handling of personal information. Other privacy issues such as video surveillance, telephone interception or 'bugging', and physical intrusion into private spaces may be covered by other laws, and the Privacy Commissioner's office can provide general advice. The Privacy Act was passed by federal Parliament at the end of 1988. The Act creates the Office of the Privacy Commissioner as a member of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission but with the functions vested in the office rather than in the Commission. In the years since the commencement of the Act there have been a number of additions to the Privacy Commissioner's jurisdiction.