For Individuals
The IPC provides guidance and resources for individuals and organisations seeking information on the fundamentals of information access and privacy in NSW.
Information access
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) oversees the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) and the Government Information (Information Commissioner) Act 2009 (GIIC Act), which together promote transparency and accountability in the NSW public sector.
The GIPA Act gives people a legal right to access government information unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure. It encourages agencies to proactively release information and make it available online, in-person, informally, or through a formal application. The GIIC Act outlines the powers of the Information Commissioner, who monitors how agencies comply with their obligations under the GIPA Act and investigates complaints about access to information.
Privacy
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) oversees two key laws that protect individuals’ privacy: the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act). The PPIP Act governs how NSW public sector agencies handle personal information, while the HRIP Act applies to both public and private health service providers and businesses that collect health data.
These laws ensure that individuals can access and correct their personal and health information, and they provide pathways for complaints if privacy is breached. Personal information includes things like names and addresses, while health information covers medical history and treatment details.
Information access: I want to know about...
NSW Information Access Laws
The IPC oversees laws concerning access to government information.
Accessing NSW government information
How do I find government information? How do I make an access application? How do I access my personal information?
Applying for an information access review
If you have asked for an application and you are dissatisfied with the decision, you can ask for a review.
Lodging an information access complaint
Under the GIIC Act, any person may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner about a NSW government agency's actions.
Information access forms
The IPC has a selection of forms to assist members of the public in making an access application or complaint under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act).
Easy English guides
The IPC's Easy English Guides provide members of the public with the simple information they need to understand their information access and privacy rights.
Information in your language
The IPC has information available in the following languages - Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Greek, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese
Resources for the Indigenous Australian community of NSW
Resources for the Indigenous Australian community of NSW
Privacy: I want to know about...
NSW Privacy Laws
The IPC oversees a number of laws that protect and promote the protection of personal and health information in NSW.
Making a request for personal information
You can make an informal application under both the PPIP Act or HRIP Act, however, most agencies will require authorisation in writing and will ask for proof of identification.
Making a privacy complaint
The IPC provides guidance and resources for individuals seeking to make a complaint to the NSW Privacy Commissioner about their privacy being breached by a NSW public sector agency.
Privacy reviews in NCAT
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) is where a complaint about the handling of personal or health information can be heard.
Privacy forms
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) has forms to assist you in making a privacy complaint under the PPIP Act.
Fact Sheet - Accessing your health information in NSW
Under the HRIP Act, you have a right to access your health information from NSW health service providers, agencies and some private sector organisations.
Data breach information and the MNDB Scheme
The Mandatory Notification of Data Breach Scheme (MNDB Scheme) is a mandatory notification requirement under the PPIP Act for NSW public sector agencies in the event of an ‘eligible data breach’.
Data breach support
If you have been affected by a data breach, there are support services available to help. This page provides you with more information on some of the support services you can access.
Data Breach Support in your language
The IPC has information available in the following languages - Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Greek, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese
Information in your language
The IPC has information available in the following languages - Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Greek, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese
Easy English guides
The IPC's Easy English Guides provide members of the public with the simple information they need to understand their information access and privacy rights.
CCTV on private property
The IPC cannot provide any advice related to individual rights and obligations in relation to surveillance laws. This page provides you with further support on where to receive such advice.
