This plain language guide offers a ‘101’ on what the Privacy Act requires now, and what is likely to change.
Australian privacy law is in a state of flux. The Privacy Act is in the process of being reformed, with some amendments already passed, and the remainder now being developed by the Australian Government with an intention to develop a final ‘tranche 2’ Bill in 2026.
Australian businesses, non-profits and federal government agencies therefore need guidance on the law as it is now, as well as where it is potentially headed in the near future. This briefing paper has been drafted with the intention of informing organisations regulated by the Privacy Act about both current and potential future legal obligations.
This plain language guide is suitable for busy executives, people new to the privacy role, or privacy officers wanting a resource to explain the Privacy Act’s obligations and reforms to their colleagues.
In a succinct 30-page download, The Privacy Act in a Nutshell describes the law as it is today, with sidebars offering additional explainers of key topics, and the more significant law reform proposals currently being considered.
Updated June 2026, to reflect latest case law. Also includes the POLA Act amendments, the commencement of the statutory tort, and the final set of law reform proposals expected to form a ‘tranche 2’ Bill in due course.
The Privacy Act in a Nutshell covers:
- The ‘big picture’ – who is regulated, what data is regulated, and the scope of the privacy rules
- Authorising data flows – a clear summary of the rules when collecting, using or disclosing personal information
- When consent is needed, and what it entails
- Privacy and marketing, profiling, targeting and trading
- The role of transparency, privacy policies, accountability and data quality
- Data security and data breach notification
- Data rights, and
- Penalties and powers.
This eBook is included with other resources in a number of our value-packed Compliance Kits.
Or click below to purchase this eBook on its own: The Privacy Act in a Nutshell – An Executive Briefing Paper.
Questions? See our eBook FAQs.
