Privacy Act Reform: What Employers Need To Know

The recent spate of cyber attacks and data breaches in Australia has renewed focus on the Australian Government's ongoing review of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). The new Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, had already promised "sweeping reforms" and a suite of proposals before the end of the year. However, expectations – of both the scope of those reforms and the speed with which they are introduced – are likely to be heightened in light of recent events.

The key focus of any reforms is likely to be consumer personal data rights. However, there is likely to also be a significant, perhaps monumental, shift in how employers are able to collect, use and disclose their employees' personal information.