Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Section 54: Getting authorisation to disclose Colin Trotter
21 November 2019 at 10:10

Please note - this article is under review.
Section 54 was a provision in the 1993 Privacy Act, which was replaced in December 2020 by the Privacy Act 2020. Section 30 of the 2020 Act is the equivalent provision. This provision allows is for an agency (the one that holds the information) to apply for authorisation to disclose information in very specific circumstances and where there is a significant public interest in doing so.

IPP11 - disclosure, IPP4 - manner of collection

Improper disclosure leads to ostracism, death Sam Williams
21 February 2019 at 14:51

The Human Rights Review Tribunal recently found that the Parole Board breached the Privacy Act when it disclosed an offender’s parole address, with tragic consequences.

Human Rights Review Tribunal, information sharing, IPP11 - disclosure, law enforcement, breach

When can you withhold sensitive employment information? Ophelia Waite
22 August 2018 at 16:52

When a person makes a request for personal information, the agency responding to the request is entitled to withhold the information, if one of the exceptions to principle 6 of the Privacy Act applies.

employment, IPP6 - access, IPP11 - disclosure

Shaming and blaming Charles Mabbett
15 November 2017 at 10:43

Should a business use social media to shame scam artists, shoplifters or bad debtors? When someone feels ripped off, this appears a natural course of action but it can be risky. Is if you believe you have evidence that a crime has been committed, contact Police.

complaints, IPP11 - disclosure, Facebook

Scammer then complains of privacy breach Charles Mabbett
29 September 2017 at 16:01

There’s a general expectation that if you make a complaint to our Office, you haven't brought the breach of privacy upon yourself through your actions. In this case, our complainant was a man who had ripped off a business. He had scammed the business out of several hundred dollars worth of goods but became upset when the business named and shamed him on its Facebook page.

complaints, Facebook, IPP11 - disclosure

A guide for health professionals disclosing information to Police Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

Reviewed May 2025 (previously titled ‘Can I tell the cops? A guide for health professionals.’

Health Information Privacy Code, health, IPP11 - disclosure, law enforcement

Hager and Westpac - A bit more context, information and clarification Sam Grover
22 March 2017 at 09:50

There has been a significant amount of media coverage about our investigation into Westpac bank disclosing journalist Nicky Hager’s bank account information to Police in 2014. In the course of that reporting, some misconceptions have emerged. Because of the interest in the case, and the potential implications for future practice, we have noted some points of clarification and context below.

finance, law enforcement, IPP11 - disclosure

Tribunal dismisses $100,000 damages claim Charles Mabbett
18 September 2015 at 10:54

A complainant seeking $100,000 in damages for Westpac’s disclosure of a debit card statement to his employer has had his case dismissed by the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

complaints, Human Rights Review Tribunal, IPP5 - storage & security, IPP11 - disclosure

Viewing entries tagged with 'IPP11 - disclosure'

Section 54: Getting authorisation to disclose Colin Trotter 21 November 2019 at 10:10

Improper disclosure leads to ostracism, death Sam Williams 21 February 2019 at 14:51

When can you withhold sensitive employment information? Ophelia Waite 22 August 2018 at 16:52

Shaming and blaming Charles Mabbett 15 November 2017 at 10:43

Scammer then complains of privacy breach Charles Mabbett 29 September 2017 at 16:01

A guide for health professionals disclosing information to Police Richard Stephen 7 July 2017 at 11:32

Hager and Westpac - A bit more context, information and clarification Sam Grover 22 March 2017 at 09:50

Tribunal dismisses $100,000 damages claim Charles Mabbett 18 September 2015 at 10:54

Section 54: Getting authorisation to disclose Colin Trotter
21 November 2019 at 10:10

Improper disclosure leads to ostracism, death Sam Williams
21 February 2019 at 14:51

When can you withhold sensitive employment information? Ophelia Waite
22 August 2018 at 16:52

Shaming and blaming Charles Mabbett
15 November 2017 at 10:43

Scammer then complains of privacy breach Charles Mabbett
29 September 2017 at 16:01

A guide for health professionals disclosing information to Police Richard Stephen
7 July 2017 at 11:32

Hager and Westpac - A bit more context, information and clarification Sam Grover
22 March 2017 at 09:50

Tribunal dismisses $100,000 damages claim Charles Mabbett
18 September 2015 at 10:54