NSW Privacy Commissioner emphasises the importance of privacy being a shared responsibility this NSW Privacy Awareness Week 2025
Today, the NSW Privacy Commissioner, Sonia Minutillo, launched NSW Privacy Awareness Week 2025.
NSW Privacy Awareness Week takes place this year from 16 – 22 June 2025 and involves both public sector agencies and citizens with the aim to improve understanding and awareness of NSW privacy legislation, raise awareness of a person’s privacy rights, and remind agencies of their obligations to protect privacy.
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) hosts the campaign in NSW and this year marks the fifteenth year of celebrating NSW Privacy Awareness Week. The 2025 theme is ‘Privacy – it’s everyone’s business.’
NSW Privacy Commissioner, Sonia Minutillo, said, “This years' theme of privacy – it’s everyone’s business, focuses on the importance of privacy being a shared responsibility whereby both individuals and organisations must stay informed and take proactive measures to safeguard data.
“NSW public sector agencies must not only ensure compliance with privacy laws, and implement robust data protection measures, but also foster a culture of privacy awareness within their agency. By being open and transparent about your agency’s privacy practices, together with clear communication, builds trust with the public.”
In addition, Commissioner Minutillo said, “Members of the public play an important role in making sure their information is protected by keeping their personal information secure, regularly reviewing their own privacy settings online and reporting any privacy breaches to the relevant NSW agency. “
With a focus on shared responsibility this year, the IPC is holding its NSW Privacy Awareness Week Event: Everyone’s Privacy in the World of AI tomorrow with keynote speakers Dr Katharine Kemp from University of New South Wales, and Sam Mackay from Department of Customer Service.
Commissioner Minutillo said, “AI has firmly landed in the day-to-day of individuals and government and in doing so, privacy must be kept front of mind. Developing clear policies for the use of AI within an agency can help ensure consistent and ethical AI use and maintain and embed privacy protections.
“Good privacy practice and comes from educating yourself and others about the importance of privacy protection as sharing knowledge helps create a more privacy-conscious community.”
To celebrate Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2025, the IPC is releasing two new resources targeting both citizens and agencies respectively to assist their understanding of data breaches under the Mandatory Notification of Data Breach (MNDB) Scheme. Additional to these new resources, the IPC has also highlighted existing resources to support NSW public sector agencies and members of the public.
More information, including activities and resources on privacy rights in NSW, are available on the Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2025 website.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
The Manager, Communications and Corporate Affairs on 0435 961 691 or email communications@ipc.nsw.gov.au
About the Information and Privacy Commission:
The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) is an independent integrity agency that supports the NSW Information Commissioner and the NSW Privacy Commissioner. Its vision is that privacy and access to government information are valued and protected in NSW. The Information Commissioner is the chief executive of the Commission.
About the NSW Privacy Commissioner
Ms Sonia Minutillo was appointed as the NSW Privacy Commissioner in March 2025. As Privacy Commissioner, her role includes the promotion of public awareness and understanding of privacy rights in NSW, as well as providing information, support, advice and assistance to agencies and the public.
The Privacy Commissioner administers the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act).
About NSW privacy legislation
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act) outlines how NSW public sector agencies, including government agencies, local councils and universities, manage and protect personal information.
The Health Records Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) promotes fair and responsible handling of health information. The HRIP Act applies to an organisation in NSW that is a health service provider or that collects, holds or uses health information. This includes both public and private sector organisations.
All NSW citizens have a right to have their personal information protected. If you are concerned a NSW agency has breached your privacy, you can request the agency to conduct an internal privacy review. The Privacy Commissioner has an oversight role in relation to the internal review.
The IPC can help citizens understand privacy laws in NSW and provide information on to protect personal information and assert their privacy rights.
For further information, visit our website at www.ipc.nsw.gov.au
