Upcoming and past events

Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd and Freedom of Information Commissioner Toni Pirani will attend the AIAC meeting, hosted by Ombudsman SA. The AIAC comprises information access authorities across Australia and New Zealand who administer freedom of information legislation. AIAC members meet twice a year to share knowledge and upcoming projects.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind spoke on a panel alongside Australian Securities and Investments Commission Deputy Chair Sarah Court. They discussed leadership in the regulatory space and striking a balance between education and enforcement, and shared their advice for lawyers hoping to move into leadership roles in the future.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind spoke on the ‘All or nothing: Can we have both privacy and safety online?’ panel. She was joined by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, lawyer and digital rights advocate Lizzie O’Shea and UNSW Professor Michael Salter.

Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd facilitated this National Regulators Community of Practice and Australia and New Zealand School of Government event exploring issues of integrity in government institutions. She was joined by distinguished guests Griffith University Professor AJ Brown AM, National Anti-Corruption Commissioner the Hon Paul Brereton AM RFD SC and Commonwealth Ombudsman Iain Anderson. The panel discussed the state of the integrity landscape, the approaches of Australia’s anti-corruption institutions and how best to ensure institutions are well placed to deliver for the Australian community.

Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd facilitated a session as part of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government program designed to prepare leaders with the essentials they need to lead effectively in the digital age.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind joined Salinger Privacy Founder Anna Johnston, Emergence Insurance Head of Incident Response Peter Furst and University of Sydney Senior Research Associate Dr Rob Nicholls for a discussion of privacy reform and the implications and practicalities of the changes.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind joined Australian Communications and Media Authority Chair Nerida O’Loughlin, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to discuss the work of DP-REG. The conversation covered members’ priorities, as well as achievements and challenges encountered over the past 2 years.

Professor AJ Brown AM from Griffith University gave this year’s Solomon Lecture. Following the lecture, Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd took part in a panel discussion on this year’s International Access to Information Day theme, ‘Mainstreaming access to information and participation in the public sector’.

The OAIC held a special event for freedom of information (FOI) practitioners to celebrate IAID. The hybrid event – held in person in Canberra and livestreamed – explored best practice management of functions under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). Attendees heard from National Data Commissioner Gayle Milnes, Digital Transformation Agency CEO Chris Fechner and Australian Digital Health Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole PSM, along with Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd.

Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd took part in the cross-jurisdiction panel event, with information commissioners from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The discussion focused on the IAID theme, with panellists touching on a range of matters relevant to information access.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind spoke on a panel discussion, which covered what is at stake in cyber security incidents, Privacy Act reforms and how businesses can keep personal information secure.

The OAIC holds regular webinars for freedom of information (FOI) practitioners in the Australian Public Service. This webinar covered timeframes for processing FOI requests and the ins and outs of extensions to those timeframes.

Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd was a keynote speaker. Commissioner Tydd spoke about the need to increase the understanding of the importance and value of effective information governance, which underpins the OAIC’s privacy and information access work. Read her speech.

Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd joined officials from Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia on a panel discussion about the critical role of freedom of information (FOI) oversight bodies.

Commissioner Tydd was hosted in Malayasia by the Centre for Independent Journalism and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Malaysia is in the beginning stages of drafting federal FOI laws. Malaysian government agencies, civil society organisations and legal bodies gathered at the conference to gain insights from a range of subject matter experts on FOI best practices.

The OAIC holds regular webinars for freedom of information (FOI) practitioners in the Australian Public Service. The focus of this session was the revised Information Commissioner review (IC review) procedure directions, which came into effect on 1 July 2024, key priorities for IC reviews, updated guidance and recent IC review decisions.

Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk and Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind spoke about the privacy landscape as part of a series of regulatory sessions. Commissioner Falk reflected on some of the key events and achievements across her two terms, while Commissioner Kind discussed key challenges in the privacy sphere and shared her priorities and key projects underway.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind joined a panel discussion about cyber security. The session provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of good data governance as a protection against risk and how charities can protect privacy. Watch the recording on YouTube.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind was a guest speaker at the 10th anniversary event of national identity and cyber support service IDCARE. The Commissioner discussed what has occurred in the 10 years since IDCARE was founded. She also shared her thoughts on what to expect of the next 10 years, including her hopes for a vastly strengthened Privacy Act, a high level of compliance across industries and a robust enforcement ecosystem equipped to tackle persistent, egregious or systemic privacy issues as soon as they occur. Read her remarks.

The OAIC hosted the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy Dr Ana Brian Nougrères during her visit to Australia. Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind participated in a privacy roundtable along with the Special Rapporteur and state and territory privacy authorities to discuss a range of privacy topics.

Our commissioners joined the Law Council of Australia Privacy Law Committee chair for a discussion about the future direction of privacy, freedom of information and information management in Australia. Watch the recording on YouTube.

The OAIC holds regular webinars for freedom of information (FOI) practitioners in the Australian Public Service. This webinar was an opportunity for practitioners to hear about the reporting process and lodgement of FOI statistics for the 2023–24 financial year.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind attended the virtual APPA 61, hosted by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia. She shared an update on the OAIC’s return to having 3 commissioners and our proceedings against Medibank.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind spoke about neurotechnology and privacy on the panel discussion, ‘Regulatory horizons – considering tomorrow’s challenges’. She was joined by Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant and Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay, who moderated the discussion.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind attended the PAA meeting in Brisbane, hosted by the Office of the Information Commissioner Queensland. The group meets twice a year and is an opportunity for the OAIC and state and territory privacy regulators to share significant developments in their jurisdictions and discuss emerging privacy issues. Commissioner Kind facilitated a discussion on Digital ID ahead of the commencement of the legislation by 1 December, focused on the privacy regulatory functions and possible intersections in responsibility between the OAIC and the state and territory privacy regulators.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind spoke on the panel ‘Bytes and rights: Human rights in the digital age’. The conference was the culmination of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 5-year-long Free + Equal project.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind took part virtually in a panel discussion at the CPDP Conference held in Brussels. She joined speakers from Colombia, France, Kenya and Sri Lanka to discuss the topic ‘Global challenges, global solutions: case studies for international enforcement cooperation in data protection’.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind gave a keynote address in which she discussed the potential risks of biometrics and how reform of the Privacy Act 1988 will mitigate some of those risks.

This event, hosted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and University of Technology Sydney Human Technology Institute, explored the most pressing questions AI poses for regulation in Australia. Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind joined other Australian regulators to discuss AI regulation, including current obligations and powers, risk areas and how AI is changing the way regulators go about their work.

AGS hosted a special Privacy Awareness Week event for Australian Government employees with presentations by Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind and Freedom of Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind delivered a keynote address about the OAIC’s Privacy Awareness Week call to ‘power up your privacy’.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind was a keynote speaker at the awards, hosted by CyberCX and the Tech Council of Australia. In her keynote address, she spoke about the lifecycle of privacy by design, the need for privacy reform and how organisations can power up privacy ahead of changes.

The OAIC is holding a series of webinars for freedom of information (FOI) practitioners in the Australian Public Service. This first webinar provided an overview of the Australian Freedom of Information Act 1982, the role of the OAIC, processing of FOI requests and proactive publication.

Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk and Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind met with representatives from civil society and academia for a discussion about the OAIC’s privacy regulatory work, current and emerging privacy risks and harms and regulatory priorities.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind joined MinterEllison’s head of cyber to discuss the findings of the ninth Perspectives on cyber risk report against the backdrop of an evolving cyber risk and regulatory environment.

Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind spoke on 2 panels at the summit in Washington, DC. She was on a panel as part of the opening general session focused on AI, including intersections with privacy, international developments and approaches to regulation and governance. Commissioner Kind was also on a panel about global data protection authorities’ efforts to elevate safeguards against data scraping.

Director Stephanie Otorepec participated in a panel discussion about privacy law in healthcare, which covered the privacy risks and responsibilities for health service providers in Australia.

Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk was a keynote speaker. In a fireside conversation, she discussed the impending changes to Australia's privacy laws and how the proposals will affect ADIA member organisations and the broader industry.

Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk was a keynote speaker. In a fireside conversation, she covered the OAIC’s regulatory priorities, lessons learned from 6 years of the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, privacy law reform, the cyber security landscape and how good privacy and cyber security practices are mutually reinforcing.

Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk spoke about regulatory challenges with artificial intelligence (AI). The meeting was organised by the Italian Data Protection Authority and the Privacy Symposium and brought together global data protection authorities, industry and AI experts and researchers to discuss AI developments, opportunities, challenges, government policy and regulation.

Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk made the opening and closing remarks.

The OAIC hosted privacy and data protection authorities from across the Asia Pacific region in Sydney for APPA 60. APPA members discussed common privacy issues, regulatory experiences and enforcement challenges. It was also a chance for members to build relationships with the goal of enhancing regulatory cooperation in the Asia Pacific region. Read the meeting summary.

Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk was a keynote speaker. In a fireside conversation with an IAPP board member, the Commissioner discussed the OAIC’s achievements in 2023 and what’s ahead in 2024, including privacy law reform and a stronger enforcement focus.

Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk took part in the ‘regulatory perspectives’ session. The Commissioner discussed in a conversation with a King & Wood Mallesons partner:

• the Australian Government’s response to the Privacy Act review
• key findings of our 2023 Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey
• our priorities and expectations with regard to organisations’ compliance with the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme
• our regulatory focus on online platforms, social media and technologies that have a high impact on privacy.

Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk was a keynote speaker. Her keynote address covered the findings of our Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey, the OAIC’s privacy regulatory priorities and how the reform of the Privacy Act will strengthen privacy protections.

Wotton + Kearney Cyber and Technology Symposium

Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk took part in a panel discussion around privacy.

OAIC FOIstats information session

We held an online information session for agencies to assist with completing their quarterly and annual statistical returns. For more information about freedom of information (FOI) statistical returns, read our FOIstats guide.

The 14th edition of the ICIC was hosted by the Freedom of Information Project Office Philippines. We submitted the Oceania report on behalf of the OAIC and state and territory authorities and supported the NSW Information Commissioner in presenting the report to attendees.

APPA 59 was hosted by the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection of Mexico. Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk presented our jurisdiction update and members discussed common privacy issues, regulatory experiences and enforcement challenges. Attendees also shared their knowledge and experiences and continued to build relationships with a view towards enhanced regional cooperation. For more information, read the forum communique.

Association of Information Access Commissioners (AIAC) meeting

We hosted the AIAC meeting. The AIAC comprises information access authorities across Australia and New Zealand who administer freedom of information legislation. Members meet twice a year to share knowledge and upcoming projects. For more information, read the meeting communique.

Energy Retailer Consumer Data Right (CDR) Readiness Workshop

Director, CDR Policy Zoe Fitzell presented on the role of the OAIC and the CDR privacy safeguards at this workshop hosted by the ACCC. The aim of the workshop was to help the next tranche of energy retailers prepare for the commencement of their consumer data sharing obligations in November 2023.

Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Hampton and Acting Assistant Commissioner, Regulation and Strategy, Andre Castaldi, appeared alongside witnesses from the Treasury and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to discuss the potential expansion of Consumer Data Right to include action initiation, including the OAIC’s role in regulating the privacy aspects of the framework.

Law Council privacy law and practice seminar

International Institute of Communications Australian Chapter Digital Platform Regulators Forum event