Privacy Reform – Consultation on Exposure Draft legislation
Privacy law reform with explicit AI scope may affect how Commonwealth entities handle personal data in AI systems—agencies should assess whether to submit.
Key points
- Attorney-General's Department has released an Exposure Draft Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026 for consultation.
- The Bill explicitly references AI as an emerging technology risk, with reforms designed to strengthen privacy protections in that context.
- Submissions close 18 September 2026; primary subject is privacy law modernisation, not AI governance specifically.
Implications for Australian agencies
- Consider Agencies deploying AI systems that handle personal information may want to review the Exposure Draft to assess how proposed changes to the Privacy Act could affect their AI use cases and data practices.
- Decide Agencies with significant AI or data holdings should determine whether to make a submission before the 18 September 2026 closing date.
Implications are AI-generated. Starting points, not advice — see methodology for how they're framed.
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"Privacy Reform – Consultation on Exposure Draft legislation"
Source: Attorney-General's Dept – Consultations
Published: (undated)
URL: https://consultations.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/privacy-reform/
The Attorney-General's Department has opened consultation on an Exposure Draft Privacy Amendment (Personal Data Protection) Bill 2026, aimed at modernising the Privacy Act 1988 for the digital age. The Bill explicitly cites AI and wearable technologies as emerging risks driving the need for reform. Developed following years of consultation including the Privacy Act Review and approximately 900 submissions, it seeks to balance stronger individual protections with regulatory certainty for entities. Submissions close 18 September 2026. The item is primarily a privacy law reform process; AI is referenced as a contextual driver rather than the central subject.
Implications for Australian agencies:
- [Consider] Agencies deploying AI systems that handle personal information may want to review the Exposure Draft to assess how proposed changes to the Privacy Act could affect their AI use cases and data practices.
- [Decide] Agencies with significant AI or data holdings should determine whether to make a submission before the 18 September 2026 closing date.
Retrieved from SIMS, 15 November 2026.