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Close Skip to main content News Join our team Contact us Home Privacy Privacy Your privacy rights Privacy complaints Australian Privacy Principles Privacy guidance for organisations and government agencies Notifiable data breaches Privacy legislation Privacy assessments and decisions Privacy registers Privacy for Kids Freedom of information Freedom of information Your freedom of information rights How to access government information Freedom of information guidance for government agencies Freedom of information legislation and determinations Information Commissioner decisions and reports Freedom of information statistics for the OAIC Australian Government freedom of information statistics Consumer Data Right Consumer Data Right Information for consumers Consumer Data Right complaints Consumer Data Right guidance for business Consumer Data Right legislation, regulation and definitions Consumer Data Right assessments Digital ID Engage with us Engage with us Consultations Submissions Translations Events Networks Research and training resources About the OAIC About the OAIC What we do Who we are Join our team Access our information Our regulatory approach Our corporate information Commissioner Priorities Information policy Serving legal documents on the Australian Information Commissioner News Join our team Contact us About the OAIC What we do About the OAIC What we do On this page What we do Updated: 26 May 2025 Our purpose is to promote and uphold privacy and information access rights. We do this by: making sure that Australian Government agencies and organisations with an annual turnover of more than $3 million, and some other organisations, follow the Privacy Act 1988 and other laws when handling personal information protecting the public’s right of access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) carrying out strategic information management functions within the Australian Government under the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 (AIC Act). We: conduct investigations handle complaints review decisions made under the FOI Act monitor agency administration advise the public, organisations and agencies. OAIC Guiding Principles The Commissioners have distilled their strategic intent in a clear set of guiding principles that outline the vision for the agency. These have been outlined in the agency’s 4 Pillars (4Ps). These principles articulate the OAIC’s strengths and the Commissioners’ expectation that will inform the activity of the agency. These principles support the agency to regulate in a risk-based and strategic manner. Proactive We adopt a risk-based, education and enforcement-focused posture Proportionate We prioritise our regulatory effort based on risk of harm to the community Purpose-driven We focus on harms and outcomes, and are driven by evidence and data People focused We preserve expertise and talent. We make the best use of our resources and maximise opportunities for our people. Why we can do it The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) was set up by the AIC Act. We are headed by the Australian Information Commissioner, who has a range of powers and responsibilities under the AIC Act, and exercises powers under the FOI Act, the Privacy Act and other laws. The OAIC is an independent statutory agency in the Attorney-General’s portfolio. Our functions Privacy We are responsible for privacy functions that are conferred by the Privacy Act and other laws. Under the Privacy Act a person can make a complaint to us about the handling of their personal information by Australian, ACT and Norfolk Island government agencies and private sector organisations covered by the Privacy Act. The OAIC also has the power to: commence a Commissioner initiated investigation (CII) into an act or practice that might breach the Privacy Act conduct a privacy assessment of whether an entity is maintaining and handling personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act. ask an entity to develop an enforceable code, and register codes that have been developed on the initiative of an entity direct an agency to give the OAIC a privacy impact assessment about a proposed activity or function recognise external dispute resolution schemes to handle particular privacy-related complaints. We have a range of responsibilities under other laws, including laws relating to data matching, eHealth, spent convictions and tax file numbers. See the Privacy Act and other legislation for more information. We give information and advice on privacy to individuals, businesses and agencies through our enquiries team and our website. Freedom of information Our FOI functions include the oversight of the operation of the FOI Act and review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under that Act. If you are dissatisfied with the result of an FOI request, you may ask us to review it. You can also complain to us if you are unhappy with the way your request was handled by an agency. We may initiate an own motion investigation (OMI). See FOI reports for information about previous investigations. We give information and advice on FOI to individuals and agencies, through our enquiries team and our website. Information policy We oversee government information policy functions. This function is conferred on the Information Commissioner by the AIC Act. The Information Commissioner reports to the Attorney-General on matters relating to Australian Government information management policy and practice, including FOI and privacy. See Information policy to find out more about our role. Did you find this helpful? Yes No We'd love to hear more! Please tell us more Rate your experience We'd love to hear more about your rating What did you come here to do? How can we improve this information? ⨯ Share Facebook Twitter Linkedin Site map Copyright Terms and conditions Privacy policy Accessibility Contact us 1300 363 992 Monday to Thursday 10 am to 4 pm (AEST/AEDT) Language Please select… العربية繁體中文ελληνικόςItalianoEspañolภาษาไทยTiếng Việtਪੰਜਾਬੀကညီကျိာ်简体中文ܐܵܬܘܿܪܵܝܵܐनेपालीFilipinoهزارگیEasy English Follow us Acknowledgement of Country The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and communities. 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