Emergency Declarations under the Privacy Act 1988

There are special provisions in the Privacy Act 1988 for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in an emergency or disaster that affects Australians either in Australia or overseas. These provisions take effect if the Prime Minister or the Minister makes an emergency declaration.

Three emergency declarations have been made under the Privacy Act 1988.

Declaration of emergency or disaster - events of national significance

(under section 80J of the Act)

• Privacy (Australian Bushfires Disaster) Emergency Declaration (No. 1) 2020
• Emergency (Queensland and New South Wales floods) Declaration 2011 (No. 1)
• Emergency (Victorian bushfires) Declaration 2009 (No. 1)

Further information about the effects of these declarations can be found on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Declaration of emergency or disaster - events outside Australia

(under section 80K of the Act)

No emergency declarations have been made under section 80K. ​​