Information Matters newsletter | OAIC

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We regularly publish news about our upcoming events, latest guidance and activities in our newsletter, Information Matters. Subscribe to never miss an edition.

In the current edition (February 2025):

From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner
OAIC accepts Oxfam Australia enforceable undertaking
Information Awareness Week this March
Job opportunities
FOI self-assessment tool for agencies
FOI statistics and guidance on our website
Our new digital ID regulatory strategy
Children’s Online Privacy Code

Past editions

2024

Edition	Summary of contents
November/December 2024	From the desk of the Freedom of Information Commissioner Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 passes OAIC annual reports wrap up a big year Work with us Join ICON Tracking pixels guidance Bunnings Group Limited determination Master Wealth Control Pty Ltd (DG Institute) and Property Lovers Pty Ltd decision Sign up for Privacy Awareness Week 2025 Holiday closure dates.
October	From the desk of the Privacy Commissioner International Access to Information Day 2024 video, transcript and slides FOI webinar AI guidance Guidance for not-for-profit organisations Privacy law reform update
September	From the desk of the Freedom of Information Commissioner International Access to Information Day 2024 New OAIC blog Recent changes to URLs on our website Energy retailers Consumer Data Right (CDR) policy assessment.
August	From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner International Access to Information Day 2024 2024-25 Corporate plan DP-REG communique Special Rapporteur visit FOI practitioners survey Upcoming FOI webinar Revisions to FOI guidelines Submission to the Credit Reporting Framework review Updated privacy guidance coming for NFPs Updates to National Health (Privacy) rules
July	From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner International Access to Information Day 2024 New agency resources: deliberative processes exemption and the public interest test Calling all FOI practitioners IC review procedure directions Recent investigation outcomes Upcoming FOI webinars Updates to the Privacy (Credit Related Research) Rule 2014.
June	From the desk of the Privacy Commissioner Information Publication Scheme review report Appointment to the ICIC’s ExCo Recent privacy determination Reminder: revised FOI procedure directions Revisions to the FOIstats Guide Updated guide to developing a Consumer Data Right (CDR) policy Support Privacy Awareness Week 2025 and complete the survey.
May	From the desk of the Acting Australian Information Commissioner and FOI Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd – Open Government Week, Information Commissioner appointment Privacy Awareness Week 2024 campaign summary Digital ID legislation Consultations and revisions to FOI guidance List of webinars for FOI practitioners.
April	From the desk of the Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind – Privacy Awareness Week Legislated framework for Digital ID Consultation on the application made by the Australian Retail Credit Association to vary the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014 National Health (Privacy) Rules 2021 consultation.
March	From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk – new look and feel for Information Matters, Information Awareness Week summary National Health (Privacy) Rules 2021 Review Privacy Awareness Week 2024 Malaysian delegate visit to the OAIC office FOI complaints and investigations update.
February	Freedom of Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd and Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind commence Notifiable Data Breaches report Safer Internet Day 2024 Draft Privacy (Credit Related Research) Rule 2024 consultation Consumer Data Right (CDR) guidance updates Privacy Awareness Week 2024 FOI extensions of time agency resource Changes to information requests relating to practical refusals.
January	Australia's Third Open Government National Action Plan (NAP3) Overview of Cyber Security Obligations for Corporate Leaders guidance booklet Summary report for our fourth Consumer Data Right (CDR) privacy assessment New freedom of information agency resource Data Privacy Day Privacy Awareness Week in May.

2023

Edition	Summary of contents
November/ December	Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk, and acting Freedom of Information Commissioner Toni Pirani – end of year letter DP-REG forum website Federal Court proceedings against Australian Clinical Labs Limited Planned privacy assessments for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years 3-commissioner model commencing in 2024 Remaking the section 95, 95A and 95AA guidelines Privacy Awareness Week 2024 Public consultation on the proposed approach to remaking the Privacy (Persons Reported as Missing) Rule 2014.
October	The OAIC's 2022-23 Annual report and digital health annual report International Access to Information Day 2023. Privacy Awareness Week 2024 2023 Information Publication Scheme (IPS) Review Consultation on proposed updates to Part 6 of the FOI Guidelines The Compliance and Enforcement Policy for the Consumer Data Right FOI investigation outcomes summary table. Information on requesting an extension of time from the OAIC.
September	Acting Freedom of Information Commissioner Toni Pirani and Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk – International Access to Information Day (IAID) UNESCO IAID theme for 2023 – 'the importance of the online space for access to information' Information Publication Scheme (IPS) Review.
August	Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk – Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey OAIC Corporate Plan 2023–24 FOI consultations and investigation outcomes. Joint statement published by the OAIC and international data protection and privacy counterparts International Access to Information Day 2023.
July	Assessments conducted across 2022-23 Downloadable security and access policy template for healthcare providers The Australian Financial Review Government Services Summit that Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk attended.
June	Privacy Awareness Week 2024 Consumer Data Right videos The appointment of Ms Toni Pirani as interim FOI Commissioner Current FOI consultations.
May	The OAIC’s return to a three-Commissioner model OAIC funding received in the Budget Thank you to supporters of 2023 Privacy Awareness Week Consultation on draft revised Information Commissioner review procedure directions.
April	Privacy Awareness Week 2023 Principles for a nationally consistent approach to accessing Stolen Generations records published by the Healing Foundation Historical Records Taskforce Submission to the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy Discussion Paper.
March	Notifiable Data Breaches Report July to December 2022 Privacy Awareness Week 2023 Regulatory action policy and guide updates.
February	Theme for Privacy Awareness Week 2023 Attorney-General’s Department report on the Privacy Act review Guide to Regulatory Action OAIC appearance at Senate estimates.
January	Privacy Awareness Week 2023 Draft revised Information Publication Scheme guidance Providing feedback on Part 13 of the Freedom of Information Guidelines Association of Information Access Commissioners meeting Assessment of 7 accredited persons’ compliance with Privacy Safeguard 1 Guide to developing a Consumer Data Right policy.

2022

Edition	Contents
November/December	40th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 Passing of the Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Bill 2022 Privacy guidance in response, including for not-for-profits and charities.
October	OAIC 2021–22 Annual report, a summary of the 2022 International Access to Information Day campaign Commissioner Angelene Falk’s recently released reports on Consumer Data Right designation instruments Digital health report.
September	Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk and FOI Commissioner Leo Hardiman – International Access to Information Day 2021 Independent review of the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014 (CR Code) report Privacy Safeguard Guidelines consultation.
August	Security and access policy template to help healthcare providers comply with their obligations under Rule 42 of the My Health Records Rule 2016 COVIDSafe app update 2022–23 Corporate plan Advice for registering privacy impact assessments International Access to Information Day Consumer Data Right Privacy Safeguard Guidelines consultation.
July	Guidance on the retention and deletion of personal information collected during the COVID-19 response Financial hardship information in the credit reporting system FOI Statistics Q4 Consumer Data Right participant guidance survey.
June	Priorities for 2022–23 OAIC response to news about facial recognition technology FOI statistics returns reminder Machinery of Government changes New version of the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code 2014 Resources for privacy officers.
May	Privacy Awareness Week Joint statement issued by Australian information access commissioners and privacy authorities to mark National Sorry Day Video guides for rights and obligations when submitting and responding to requests for personal information Open Gov Week Information Awareness Month.
April	Privacy Awareness Week Information Awareness Month OAIC 2021–22 Assessment Program Global Privacy Assembly’s Digital Citizen and Consumer Working Group New version of the Credit Reporting Code.
March	The newly appointed Freedom of Information Commissioner Digital Platform Regulators Forum Changes to the Credit Reporting Code International Women’s Day interview with Commissioner Angelene Falk Individual Healthcare Identifier guidance Privacy Awareness Week 2022.
February	Senate estimates Notifiable Data Breaches scheme Privacy Awareness Week 2022.
January	Australian Federal Police privacy determination Data Privacy Day Privacy Act review Regulator statement of intent Consumer Data Right guides COVID-19 guidance and advice Safer Internet Day.

2021

Edition	Contents
November/December	COVID-19 privacy guidance Clearview AI privacy determination Consultation on the Credit Reporting Code Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Global Privacy Assembly events Consumer Data Right privacy assessment.
October	2020–21 Annual Report Australian Government review of the Privacy Act 1988 OAIC findings against 7-Eleven Children’s Week.
September	International Access to Information Day Open by Design Principles Commissioner’s ICON address COVID-19 guidance OAIC international engagement.
August	Notifiable Data Breaches Report Corporate Plan 2021–22 International Access to Information Day COVID-19 guidance Data-matching Rules Consumer Data Right videos.
July	Uber privacy determination My Health Record emergency access guidance International regulatory collaboration International Access to Information Day campaign.
June	Government-wide audit of privacy impact assessment registers Publication of the OAIC's second COVIDSafe Privacy Report Findings from the first OAIC COVIDSafe assessment Consumer Data Right.
May	Commissioner Angelene Falk update International collaboration Information Commissioner review decisions.
April	Feedback on a draft Information Commissioner review direction for applicants Data-Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Guidelines 1994 ICON webinar e-learning course - Privacy in Practice.
March	Privacy Awareness Week 2021 ICON webinar Information Awareness Month Open Data Day.
February	Privacy guidance for employers on the collection of staff vaccination status Guide to Securing Personal Information Privacy Awareness Week 2021 Commissioner-initiated investigation into the Department of Home Affairs Consumer Data Right updates.
January	Notifiable Data Breaches Report Department of Home Affairs privacy determination Data Privacy Day Safer Internet Day Consumer Data Right resources.

2020

Edition	Contents
November/December	OAIC submission to the Australian Government’s review of the Privacy Act 1988 Flight Centre determination Global Privacy Assembly and Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum Publication of the OAIC's first 6-month report on the privacy protections in the COVIDSafe app 2019–20 Annual Report on the provision of privacy services to the Australian Capital Territory.
October	Privacy Act review details Annual Report 2019–20 Regulatory cooperation Consumer Data Right Children’s Week.
September	Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey 2020 International Access to Information Day FOI Essentials Facebook ruling Information on when to conduct a privacy impact assessment Data Availability and Transparency Bill.
August	Corporate Plan 2020–21 International Access to Information Day Regulatory cooperation Memorandums of understanding Disclosure of public servants’ personal information in response to freedom of information requests Scams Awareness Week Australian Community Attitudes to Privacy Survey 2020 COVID-19 resources.
July	Notifiable Data Breaches report OAIC and UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office joint investigation Open letter to video teleconferencing companies reminding them of their obligations to comply with the law and handle people’s information responsibly COVID-19 resources Consumer Data Right is here Step-by-step guide to accessing government information Freedom of Information Guidelines.
June	COVID-19 resources Consumer Data Right Regulatory cooperation Freedom of information resources Updates to the Freedom of Information Guidelines.
May	Privacy oversight of COVIDSafe app Consumer Data Right update Information Awareness Month COVID-19 record keeping Regulatory cooperation Privacy Awareness Week 2020 Privacy Impact Assessment Tool.
April	Privacy Awareness Week 2020 PAW events COVIDSafe app Privacy in practice for agency staff Information Awareness Month frequently asked questions about freedom of information and COVID-19 Access to information during the pandemic COVID-19 privacy resources.
March	COVID-19 privacy and freedom of information resources Commissioner launches Federal Court action against Facebook FOI SmartForms updated Privacy Awareness Week 2020.
February	Notifiable Data Breaches Report Action plan for health service providers Consumer Data Right update Appointment of new Assistant Commissioner ICON session.
January	Privacy Awareness Week 2020 Consumer Data Right update Regulatory cooperation Freedom of information statistics Safer Internet Day Credit Reporting Code variation approved.

2025

Edition	Summary of contents
January	From the desk of the Australian Information Commissioner Landmark settlement of $50m from Meta Privacy Awareness Week 2025 theme and dates New functions Job opportunities Safer Internet Day FOI Statistics Dashboard FOI Practitioners Survey Consultation on proposed variation to the Credit Reporting Code.

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Translations

Acknowledgement of Country

The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people, cultures and Elders past and present.

© Commonwealth of Australia