Data privacy is highly important in Australia and is all about protecting your personal information. The Privacy Act 1988 is the main law that sets the rules and includes the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) which guide how organisations and agencies should manage personal data.

The APPs cover everything from collecting and using personal information to keeping it safe and allowing people access your data.

Australian Privacy Principles

The Australian Privacy Principles are designed to be flexible and adaptable to different technologies and situations. This means organisations can tailor their practices to fit their needs while staying compliant with the law. The thirteen principles can be found here.

How to minimise data collection

Organisations should only gather the information they really need for their activities. This helps reduce the risk of data breaches and ensures compliance with Privacy Act 1988.

Some strategies to achieve this include:

• Classify data based on its sensitivity and importance. This helps identify what data is essential and what can be minimised.
• Limit the use of personal information to the purposes for which it was collected.
• Avoid using data for secondary purposes unless you have consent from the individuals involved.
• Implementing strict access controls is also crucial. Only authorised personnel should have access to personal information, reducing the risk of unauthorised access and potential data breaches.
• The proper disposal of data that is no longer needed is essential too.
• Organisations should have clear policies for securely deleting or anonymising data to prevent unauthorised access.
• Conducting regular audits of data handling practices helps identify areas where data minimisation can be improved.

Data minimisation not only enhances security but also builds trust with customers and stakeholders, showing a commitment to responsible data handling practices.

Next steps

By following these principles and strategies, organisations in Australia can effectively manage personal information, ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and protecting individuals’ privacy.

Protecting personal information isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a trust-building opportunity. If you want assistance on how to start the review process, please contact Andrew Grgic or your trusted Nexia Edwards Marshall advisor to discuss.

The material contained on this website is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice or recommendations and should not be relied on as such. Specific professional advice which takes into account your particular situation or circumstance should be obtained by contacting your Nexia Advisor. Nexia Edwards Marshall NT disclaims all responsibility and liability (including, without limitation, for any direct or indirect or consequential costs, loss or damage or loss of profits) arising from anything done or omitted to be done by any party in reliance, whether wholly or partially, on this material.