Overview
The Privacy Act 1988 establishes a comprehensive framework for managing personal information to protect individuals' privacy in Australia. It outlines the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which provide guidelines for handling personal information, including collection, use, storage, and disclosure. The Act also includes specific provisions for credit reporting, mandates for the notification of eligible data breaches, and mechanisms for individuals to lodge complaints about privacy breaches. Administered by the Attorney-General's Department and the Department of the Treasury, the Act applies to organisations, agencies, and entities operating in Australia with specific provisions extending to certain overseas entities.