Personal information is information that identifies, or could potentially identify you.
Examples include your name and address, medical records, bank account details, photos, videos, and even information about what you like, your opinions, and where you work.
There are rules about how your personal information is handled by government and private sector organisations.
How to make a complaint
1. Contact the organisation
If you think your personal information has been mishandled, you should first contact the organisation concerned and allow them a reasonable amount of time to respond (usually 30 days).
2. Further assistance
If you're still not satisfied after making a complaint directly to the organisation concerned, you can seek further assistance. How you do this depends on the type of organisation your complaint is about.
Complaints about state government agencies
State government agencies must comply with Information Privacy Principles (refer to PC012) that regulate how personal information is collected, used, stored and disclosed.
- Making a privacy complaint - State Records of South Australia
- Contact state government
Complaints about the Australian government and private sector
The Privacy Act 1988 protects the privacy of an individual where it relates to Australian government agencies and large private businesses.
Make a privacy complaint - Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
