Privacy Act Reform Hub

Since 2020, the Attorney General’s Department has been undertaking a comprehensive review of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The catalyst for this was the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s 2019 Digital Platforms Inquiry, which made several privacy recommendations.

Sparke Helmore’s privacy specialists are watching developments closely and share below a collection of the key things that our clients need to know.

Key developments so far – a timeline

Recent developments

• Read the latest news on Privacy Act reform in our November 2024 article.
• Read the Privacy Act Review Report.
• Read our ‘Top 10’ things you need to know from the report.

Office of the Information Commissioners' Privacy Awareness Week 2025

In celebration of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s (OAIC) 2025 Privacy Awareness Week, Sparke Helmore will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday 18 June exploring this year’s theme - ‘Privacy – it’s everyone’s business’.

Join Partners Chantal Tipene and Hamish Fraser, and Special Counsel Kelly Matheson as they discuss:

• the role employees play in managing your organisation’s privacy risk and discussing your privacy liability when an employee goes rogue
• exploring typical employee breaches and the privacy impact for your organisation, and
• the impacts of the pending tort of privacy.

Our presenters will provide some practical tips for employees handling personal information to ensure privacy compliance, before opening up the floor for Q&A.

This session will be eligible for 1 CPD point in Practice Management and Business Skills.

If you haven’t received your invitation, please email contact@sparke.com.au.