Australia OAIC Privacy Determinations alt

Access Your Health Information Rights in Australia

The OAIC published guidance explaining that Australian privacy law grants individuals a general right to request access to health information held by health service providers. The guidance specifies that providers should respond within 30 days, may charge a non-excessive fee for access, and must provide written notice if refusing a request. Individuals may authorize representatives, request information in specific formats, and lodge complaints with the OAIC if unsatisfied.

Australian Privacy Rights, Consent to Personal Information

The OAIC has published guidance explaining the requirements for obtaining valid consent to collect, use, and disclose personal information under Australian privacy law. The guidance distinguishes between express consent (verbal or written, required for sensitive information), implied consent (requires opt-out option), and bundled consent (combined requests that may not give individuals genuine choice). Individuals may withdraw consent at any time, and organisations must make withdrawal easy and accessible.

Access Your Australian Credit Report for Free Every Three Months

The OAIC has published guidance explaining that Australian credit reporting bodies must provide consumers with free access to their credit reports once every three months. Consumers are also entitled to a free copy if they have been refused credit within the past 90 days or if their credit-related personal information has been corrected. At other times, credit reporting bodies may charge a fee, provided it is not excessive.