A full list of the Commissioner’s functions is set out at section 17 of the Privacy Act 2020. 

We can:

• make public statements on matters affecting individual privacy
• investigate complaints about breaches of privacy  
• build and promote an understanding of the privacy principles
• monitor and examine the impact that technology has on privacy
• develop codes of practice for specific industries or sectors
• examine draft legislation for its possible impact on individual privacy
• monitor data matching programmes between government departments
• inquire into any matter where it appears that individual privacy may be affected
• receive reports of notifiable privacy breaches
• monitor agencies and enforce compliance with the Privacy Act
• report to government on matters affecting privacy, both domestic and internationally

OPC also supervises privacy matters in other legislation. The Cabinet Manual requires public sector agencies to consult with the Privacy Commissioner on any proposal with privacy implications. Read about how government agencies can seek policy advice from us.