Australian Bushfires Disaster Emergency Declaration: understanding your privacy obligations

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src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/credit-reporting" class=""> Credit reporting </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/direct-marketing" class=""> Direct marketing </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/employee-records-exemption" class=""> Employee records exemption </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/id-scanners" class=""> ID scanners </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/opting-in-to-the-privacy-act" class=""> Opting in to the Privacy Act </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/privacy-for-not-for-profits,-including-charities" class=""> Privacy for not-for-profits, including charities </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/privacy-management-plan-template" class=""> Privacy management plan template </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/selling-a-business" class=""> Selling a business </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/small-business" class=""> Small business </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/sporting-clubs" class=""> Sporting clubs </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/start-ups" class=""> Start-ups </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/tips-for-good-privacy-practice" class=""> Tips for good privacy practice </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/trading-in-personal-information" class=""> Trading in personal information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/guidance-for-edr-schemes-when-handling-complaints-about-notifiable-data-breaches" class=""> Guidance for EDR schemes when handling complaints about notifiable data breaches </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/tracking-pixels-and-privacy-obligations" class=""> Tracking pixels and privacy obligations </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/organisations/facial-recognition-technology-a-guide-to-assessing-the-privacy-risks" class=""> Facial recognition technology: a guide to assessing the privacy risks </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/government-agencies"> Government agencies </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: Government agencies"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/government-agencies/agency-referee-reports" class=""> Agency referee reports </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/government-agencies/australian-government-agencies-privacy-code" class=""> Australian Government Agencies Privacy Code </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/government-agencies/conducting-surveys" class=""> Conducting surveys </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/government-agencies/guidelines-on-data-matching-in-australian-government-administration" class=""> Guidelines on data matching in Australian Government administration </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/government-agencies/privacy-impact-assessment-register-assessment-program" class=""> Privacy impact assessment register assessment program </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/government-agencies/privacy-code-checklist" class=""> Privacy Code checklist </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link "> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/guidance-on-privacy-and-developing-and-training-generative-ai-models"> Guidance on privacy and developing and training generative AI models </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link "> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/guidance-on-privacy-and-the-use-of-commercially-available-ai-products"> Guidance on privacy and the use of commercially available AI products </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers"> Health service providers </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: Health service providers"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers/communications-with-patients" class=""> Communications with patients </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers/data-breach-action-plan-for-health-service-providers" class=""> Data breach action plan for health service providers </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers/guide-to-health-privacy" class=""> Guide to health privacy </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers/individual-healthcare-identifiers" class=""> Individual healthcare identifiers </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers/my-health-record" class=""> My Health Record </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers/privacy-action-plan-for-your-health-practice" class=""> Privacy action plan for your health practice </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/health-service-providers/taking-photos-of-patients" class=""> Taking photos of patients </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information"> Handling personal information </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: Handling personal information"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/anti-money-laundering-obligations" class=""> Anti-money laundering obligations </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/centrelink-requests-for-information" class=""> Centrelink requests for information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/dealing-with-requests-for-access-to-personal-information" class=""> Dealing with requests for access to personal information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/dealing-with-requests-for-correction-of-personal-information" class=""> Dealing with requests for correction of personal information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/de-identification-and-the-privacy-act" class=""> De-identification and the Privacy Act </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/de-identification-decision-making-framework" class=""> De-identification Decision-Making Framework </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/guide-to-securing-personal-information" class=""> Guide to securing personal information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/guide-to-the-privacy-persons-reported-as-missing-rule-2024" class=""> Guide to the Privacy (Persons Reported as Missing) Rule 2024 </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/guidelines-for-state-and-territory-governments-creating-nationally-consistent-requirements-to-collect-personal-information-for-contact-tracing-purposes" class=""> Guidelines for state and territory governments: creating nationally consistent requirements to collect personal information for contact tracing purposes </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/national-relay-service" class=""> National Relay Service </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/posting-photos-and-videos" class=""> Posting photos and videos </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/protecting-customers-personal-information" class=""> Protecting customers' personal information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/sending-personal-information-overseas" class=""> Sending personal information overseas </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/the-privacy-tax-file-number-rule-2015-and-the-protection-of-tax-file-number-information" class=""> The Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015 and the protection of tax file number information </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/transfer-of-financial-adviser-records" class=""> Transfer of financial adviser records </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/handling-personal-information/what-is-personal-information" class=""> What is personal information? </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/preventing-preparing-for-and-responding-to-data-breaches"> Preventing, preparing for and responding to data breaches </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: Preventing, preparing for and responding to data breaches"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/preventing-preparing-for-and-responding-to-data-breaches/data-breach-preparation-and-response" class=""> Data breach preparation and response </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/preventing-preparing-for-and-responding-to-data-breaches/preventing-data-breaches-advice-from-the-australian-cyber-security-centre" class=""> Preventing data breaches: advice from the Australian Cyber Security Centre </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/preventing-preparing-for-and-responding-to-data-breaches/guidance-for-entities-in-preparing-for-and-responding-to-cyber-incidents" class=""> Guidance for entities in preparing for and responding to cyber incidents </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/privacy-impact-assessments"> Privacy impact assessments </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: Privacy impact assessments"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/privacy-impact-assessments/10-steps-to-undertaking-a-privacy-impact-assessment" class=""> 10 steps to undertaking a privacy impact assessment </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/privacy-impact-assessments/assessing-privacy-risks-in-changed-working-environments-privacy-impact-assessments" class=""> Assessing privacy risks in changed working environments: privacy impact assessments </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/privacy-impact-assessments/guide-to-undertaking-privacy-impact-assessments" class=""> Guide to undertaking privacy impact assessments </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/privacy-impact-assessments/privacy-by-design" class=""> Privacy by design </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/privacy-impact-assessments/privacy-impact-assessment-tool" class=""> Privacy impact assessment tool </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19"> COVID-19 </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: COVID-19"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-understanding-your-privacy-obligations-to-your-staff" class=""> Coronavirus (COVID-19): understanding your privacy obligations to your staff </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccinations-understanding-your-privacy-obligations-to-your-staff" class=""> Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations: understanding your privacy obligations to your staff </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/covidsafe-reports" class=""> COVIDSafe Reports </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/guidance-for-businesses-collecting-personal-information-for-contract-tracing" class=""> Guidance for businesses collecting personal information for contract tracing </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/national-covid-19-privacy-principles" class=""> National COVID-19 privacy principles </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/privacy-update-on-the-covidsafe-app" class=""> Privacy update on the COVIDSafe app </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/retention-and-deletion-of-personal-information-collected-during-covid-19" class=""> Retention and deletion of personal information collected during COVID-19 </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/covid-19/guidance-for-businesses-collecting-covid-19-vaccination-information" class=""> Guidance for businesses collecting COVID-19 vaccination information </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-3-link current has-children"> <div class="lhs-nav__level-3-accordion"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance"> More guidance </a> <button class="lhs-nav__level-3-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Expand Level 3 submenu: More guidance"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-plus.svg" class="icon-plus" aria-hidden="true" /> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/git_bridge/0012/12063/mysource_files/icon-minus.svg" class="icon-minus" aria-hidden="true" /> </button> </div> <ul class="lhs-nav__level-4"> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations" class="current"> Australian Bushfires Disaster Emergency Declaration: understanding your privacy obligations </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-entities-and-the-european-union-general-data-protection-regulation" class=""> Australian entities and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/emergencies-and-disasters" class=""> Emergencies and disasters </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/guide-to-data-analytics-and-the-australian-privacy-principles" class=""> Guide to data analytics and the Australian Privacy Principles </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/guide-to-developing-an-app-privacy-policy" class=""> Guide to developing an APP privacy policy </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/how-to-develop-an-app-privacy-policy-poster" class=""> How to develop an APP privacy policy (poster) </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/guidelines-for-developing-codes" class=""> 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href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/self-assessment-checklist-privacy-obligations-under-the-data-retention-scheme" class=""> Self-assessment checklist: privacy obligations under the Data Retention Scheme </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/telecommunications-service-providers-obligations-arising-under-the-privacy-act-1988-as-a-result-of-part-5-1a-of-the-telecommunications-interception-and-access-act-1979" class=""> Telecommunications service providers' obligations arising under the Privacy Act 1988 as a result of Part 5-1A of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 </a> </li> <li class="lhs-nav__level-4-link"> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/privacy-considerations-for-financial-services-entities-receiving-data-from-a-carrier-or-carriage-service-provider-under-the-telecommunications-regulations" class=""> Privacy considerations for financial services entities receiving data from a carrier or carriage service provider </a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="middle-wrapper">  <div id="main-content-area" class="page-content"> <div class="toc"> <ul class="toc__list"> <li class="toc__heading"> <h2 class="toc-exclude">On this page</h2> </li> </ul> </div> <section class="banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper"> <div class="banner-grey-newsroom__content"> <h1 class="banner-grey-newsroom__title">Australian Bushfires Disaster Emergency Declaration: understanding your privacy obligations</h1> </div> </section>  <script> if(document.querySelector('.banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper .banner-grey-newsroom__content')) { document.querySelector('.breadcrumb__wrapper').insertAdjacentElement('afterend',document.querySelector('.banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper .banner-grey-newsroom__content').closest(' .banner-grey-newsroom__wrapper')) } </script> <div class="gov-numbered-paragraphs" id="component_21795"> <div><div><div><div>Publication date: 10 March 2021</div></div></div><div><div id="page-content"><div><p>The Attorney-General made the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020N00009">Privacy (Australian Bushfires Disaster) Emergency Declaration (No. 1) 2020</a> (the emergency declaration) under Part VIA of the <em>Privacy Act 1988</em> (Cth) in January 2020, in response to bushfires resulting in death, injury and property damage. The emergency declaration expired on 20 January 2021.</p></div><p>Ordinarily, Australian Government agencies and private sector organisations must comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in the Privacy Act when handling personal information.</p><p>When an emergency declaration is in force, Part VIA of the Privacy Act allows agencies and organisations to collect, use and disclose personal information about an individual impacted by the bushfires for several permitted purposes that may not otherwise be allowed under the APPs. Agencies and organisations will still need to comply with other obligations under the Privacy Act, including notice<a id="ftnref1" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftn1">[1]</a> and information security requirements.<a id="ftnref2" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftn2">[2]</a></p><p>The collection, use and disclosure of personal information about individuals involved in the bushfire disaster was permitted under s 80P where:</p><ul><li>the agency or organisation reasonably believes that the individual may be involved in the emergency</li><li>the collection, use or disclosure is for a permitted purpose in relation to the emergency</li><li>in the case of disclosure, the disclosure is limited to certain entities and individuals. There are some differences between who an agency can disclose information to and who an organisation or another person can disclose information to.</li></ul><p>This resource assisted agencies and organisations to understand their obligations while the emergency declaration was in force.</p><h2>What personal information can agencies and organisations handle when an emergency declaration is in force?</h2><p>Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified person, or a person who is reasonably identifiable.</p><p>For the purpose of responding to a declared emergency or disaster, personal information includes information about a person who is deceased.</p><p>Agencies and organisations should limit the personal information they disclose to that which is necessary to meet an individual’s needs.</p><h2>Whose personal information can agencies and organisations handle?</h2><p>Under Part VIA, agencies and organisations can handle personal information about individuals who they reasonably believe may be involved in the bushfire emergency. The personal information can only be used or disclosed for a permitted purpose.</p><p>An agency or organisation must have a reasonable, objective basis for the belief that the individual may be involved in the bushfire emergency, not merely a genuine or subjective belief. It is the responsibility of the agency or organisation to be able to justify its reasonable belief.<a id="ftnref3" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftn3">[3]</a></p><h2>In what circumstances can agencies and organisations handle this information?</h2><p>An agency or organisation may collect, use or disclose personal information relating to an individual affected by the bushfire emergency if the collection, use or disclosure of the personal information is for a permitted purpose.</p><p>A permitted purpose is a purpose that directly relates to the Commonwealth’s response to the emergency or disaster that the emergency declaration is about.</p><p>Permitted purposes include:</p><ul><li>identifying individuals who are or may be injured, missing or dead as a result of the bushfire emergency, or are otherwise involved in the emergency</li><li>assisting impacted individuals to obtain services such as medical treatment, health services, financial assistance or other humanitarian services</li><li>assisting law enforcement with the bushfire emergency</li><li>coordinating or managing the emergency</li><li>ensuring that a person who is responsible for an individual involved in the emergency is appropriately informed about the individual and the emergency response to the individual.</li></ul><p>It is an offence to disclose personal information received under Part VIA in a way not permitted by Part VIA or other provisions in the Privacy Act.</p><h2>Who can agencies disclose the information to?</h2><p>If an agency has a reasonable belief that an individual is involved in the bushfire emergency, and that the disclosure is for a permitted purpose, the agency can disclose personal information about the individual to:</p><ul><li>an Australian Government agency</li><li>a State or Territory authority, including Departments and the State fire authorities such as the NSW Rural Fire Service</li><li>an organisation, as defined by the Privacy Act(for example, a private sector business or non-profit organisation with a turnover of more than $3 million, or a health service provider)</li><li>a person who is responsible for the individual</li><li>any other entity that is, or is likely to be, involved in managing or assisting in the management of the emergency.<a id="ftnref4" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftn4">[4]</a></li></ul><p>Part VIA does not permit disclosure to media organisations. If a disclosure needs to be made to the media, this should be made in accordance with APP 6.</p><h3>Case studies</h3><div class="callout"><p>An aid organisation is seeking contact information for individuals impacted by the bushfire emergency, in order to provide temporary emergency aid and accommodation to them. Can my agency disclose this contact information to them?</p><p>Yes — As long as you reasonably believe the person they are seeking contact information for may be impacted by the bushfire emergency, you can disclose this information for the purposes of providing emergency relief services.</p></div><div class="callout"><p>A State government agency administering bushfire disaster relief wants personal information my agency holds, for the purposes of verifying the identity of individuals who they are making disaster relief payments to. Can my agency disclose personal information to them?</p><p>Yes — As long as you reasonably believe the person they are seeking contact information for may be impacted by the bushfire emergency, you can disclose this information for the purposes of the agency providing emergency relief payments.</p></div><h2>Who can organisations disclose the information to?</h2><p>If an organisation has a reasonable belief that an individual is involved in the bushfire emergency, and that the disclosure is for a permitted purpose, the organisation can disclose personal information about the individual to:</p><ul><li>an Australian Government agency</li><li>an entity (a person, Australian Government agency or a private sector organisation) that is directly involved in providing repatriation services, medical or other treatment, health services or financial or other humanitarian assistance services to individuals caught up in the emergency.</li></ul><p>Part VIA does not permit disclosure to media organisations. Any disclosure to the media must be made in accordance with APP 6.</p><h3>Case study</h3><div class="callout"><p>An Australian Government agency is seeking contact information for individuals impacted by the bushfire emergency, in order to administer bushfire emergency relief payments to them. Can my organisation disclose the contact information of the individuals we are assisting to them?</p><p>Yes — As long as you reasonably believe the person they are seeking contact information for may be impacted by the bushfire emergency, you can disclose this information for the purposes of providing financial and humanitarian relief.</p></div><h2>Can agencies and organisations collect information from State/Territory authorities?</h2><p>An agency or organisation is permitted to collect personal information about an individual from a State or Territory authority, if the agency or organisation has a reasonable belief that the individual is involved in the bushfire emergency, and the personal information is being collected for a permitted purpose.</p><p>However, Part VIA does not override State and Territory laws that may apply to the way that State and Territory authorities handle personal information, such as a State or Territory law that regulates disclosure of information.</p><h2>How does Part VIA interact with secrecy provisions?</h2><p>For the duration of the emergency declaration, entities will not be in breach of secrecy provisions if they use or disclose personal information in accordance with s 80P(1), unless it is a designated secrecy provision under s80P(7).</p><p>Designated secrecy provisions are:</p><ul><li>sections 18, 18A, 18B and 92 of the <em>Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979</em></li><li>section 34 of the <em>Inspector General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986</em></li><li>sections 39, 39A, 40, 40B to 40H, 40L, 40M and 41 of the <em>Intelligence Services Act 2001</em></li><li>sections 42 to 44 of the <em>Office of National Intelligence Act 2018</em></li><li>sections 19 and 19A of the <em>Census and Statistics Act 1905</em>, as prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.</li></ul><h2>How can individuals get more information about the operation of Part VIA?</h2><p>Individuals can contact the OAIC’s Enquiries line for information about how agencies and organisations are permitted to handle their personal information under the Part VIA provisions, or if they are concerned about the way their personal information has been handled.</p><p><a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/_old/privacy/your-privacy-rights/bushfire-emergency">Information for individuals</a> is also available on the OAIC’s website.</p></div></div></div> </div> <div class="footnotes"><h2>Footnotes</h2><p><a id="ftn1" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftnref1">[1]</a> See guidance on notice requirements in the OAIC’s APP guidelines: <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/_old/privacy/australian-privacy-principles-guidelines/chapter-5-app-5-notification-of-the-collection-of-personal-information">Chapter 5: APP 5 — Notification of the collection of personal information</a></p><p><a id="ftn2" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftnref2">[2]</a> See guidance on information security requirements in the OAIC’s APP guidelines: <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/_old/privacy/australian-privacy-principles-guidelines/chapter-11-app-11-security-of-personal-information">Chapter 11: APP 11 — Security of personal information</a></p><p><a id="ftn3" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftnref3">[3]</a> See guidance on ‘reasonable belief’ in the OAIC’s APP guidelines: <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/_old/privacy/australian-privacy-principles-guidelines/chapter-b-key-concepts#reasonably-believes">Chapter B: Key concepts, Reasonably believes</a></p><p><a id="ftn4" href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/australian-bushfires-disaster-emergency-declaration-understanding-your-privacy-obligations#ftnref4">[4]</a> Section 6 of the Privacy Act includes definitions of agency, State or Territory authority, and organisation.</p></div><section class="background--grey"> <div class="feature-cards__wrapper"> <h2 class="feature-cards__main-heading">Related pages</h2> <div class="feature-cards__tile">  <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/more-privacy-rights/bushfire-emergency" class="feature-cards__tile-links" data-order="1"> <h3 class="feature-cards__heading">Bushfire emergency</h3> <p class="feature-cards__text">Privacy advice for people affected by the bushfires disaster</p> <div class="feature-cards__call-to-action"> <span class="feature-cards__arrow"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" alt="" class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> </span> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-guidance-for-organisations-and-government-agencies/more-guidance/emergencies-and-disasters" class="feature-cards__tile-links" data-order="2"> <h3 class="feature-cards__heading">Emergencies and disasters</h3> <p class="feature-cards__text">Understand your obligations under Part VIA of the Privacy Act in emergencies</p> <div class="feature-cards__call-to-action"> <span class="feature-cards__arrow"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" alt="" class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> </span> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> </div>  </div> </div>  </main>   <div class="footer"> <div class="footer__upper"> <div class="footer__upper--wrapper"> <div class="back-to-top__wrapper"> <button class="back-to-top" aria-label="Back to top"> <svg class="back-to-top__icon" aria-hidden="true" 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