office of the australian information commissioner regulates the privacy act in australia.
who regulates the privacy act in australia?
office of the australian information commissioner
privacy is one of three broad functions conferred on the office. the legislative basis of these privacy functions is drawn primarily from the privacy act. the privacy act regulates how an individual's personal information is handled. for example, it covers: 





























bullet::::- how personal information is collected (e.g. the personal information a person provides when they fill in a form)





























bullet::::- how it is then used and disclosed





























bullet::::- its accuracy





























bullet::::- how securely it is kept





























bullet::::- a person’s general right to access that information.





























the act also covers more specific matters, such as:
office of the australian information commissioner
the privacy act creates an office of the privacy commissioner and a privacy commissioner in australia. section 36 of the act states that australians may appeal to this commissioner if they feel their privacy rights have been compromised, unless the privacy was violated by an organization that has its own dispute resolution mechanisms under an approved privacy code. the commissioner, who may decide to investigate complaints and in some cases must investigate, can under section 44 obtain relevant evidence from other people. there is no appeal to a court or tribunal against decisions of the commissioner except in very limited circumstances. section 45 of the privacy act allows the commissioner to interview the people themselves, and the people might have to swear an oath to tell the truth. anyone who fails to answer the commissioner may be subject to a fine of up to $2,000 and/or year-long imprisonment (under section 65). under section 64 of the privacy act, the commissioner is also given immunity against any lawsuits that he or she might be subjected to for the carrying out of their duties.
privacy act 1988