The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), known until 2010 as the Office of the Australian Privacy Commissioner is an independent Australian Government agency, acting as the national data protection authority for Australia, established under the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010, headed by the Australian Information Commissioner. The office has three primary functions: privacy functions, conferred by the Privacy Act 1988 and other laws freedom of information functions, in particular, oversight of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under that Act government information policy functions, conferred on the Australian Information Commissioner under the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. The office is an agency within the Attorney-General's portfolio. The office liaises with the Business and Information Law Branch, part of the Civil Law Division within the Civil Justice and Legal Services Group of the Attorney-General's Department. The office is an independent agency and reports to the Attorney-General. The current Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner is Angelene Falk, who was appointed in August 2018. History The first Australian Privacy Commissioner was appointed in 1989 to the former Office of the Privacy Commissioner, which was the national privacy regulatory body until 2010. Major changes to federal freedom of information (FOI) law made in 2010 established the present office as the body responsible for FOI, privacy, and information policy. The Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010 was passed in May 2010, and came into effect from November 2010. This Act introduced fundamental changes to the way information held by government is managed and accessed by members of the public (see Freedom of Information). The Office of the Privacy Commissioner was integrated into the office at this time. Structure The office is headed by the Australian Information Commissioner. Despite their titles, all commissioners can exercise the privacy and freedom of information (FOI) functions. However, only the Information Commissioner may exercise the information policy functions. Responsibilities The office’s responsibilities include: conducting investigations reviewing decisions made under the FOI Act handling complaints monitoring agency administration education and awareness programs providing advice to the public, government agencies and businesses. Freedom of Information The office has freedom of information functions, including the oversight of the operation of the FOI Act and review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under that Act. If a person is dissatisfied with the result of an