Privacy Awareness Week NSW (PAW) takes place from 4 – 10 May this year. The theme for 2026 is ‘Smart Tech, Smarter Choices – Protecting Yourself in the Age of AI’ and focuses on how understanding new technologies empowers people to feel confident, informed and in control of their personal information.
PAW involves both public sector agencies and members of the public and aims to highlight the importance of protecting personal information by improving understanding and awareness of NSW privacy legislation, emphasise a person’s privacy rights, and remind agencies of their obligations and responsibilities.
Watch below a welcome to Privacy Awareness Week from the NSW Privacy Commissioner, Sonia Minutillo:
Smart technologies can make services faster, efficient, more personalised and more convenient, but they can also create risks if people are not aware of what information is being captured or how it is used. Whether you are a student, a worker, an older person, someone using assistive technology or simply navigating online, learning the basics of AI helps you make safer choices and strengthens trust in the systems you rely on.
The IPC can help you understand privacy laws in NSW and give you information on how to protect your personal information and access your rights. Learn more in our privacy resources for individuals.
You can also learn more about what’s on this Privacy Awareness Week here.
Event
Privacy Awareness Week NSW 2025 Event – Everyone’s Privacy in the World of AI
Data: Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm (12.30pm registrations and light lunch, 2.00pm networking afternoon tea)
Location: Online and in-person
AI has rapidly moved from a specialist capability to mainstream technology. Smart technology and AI are now part of everyday life, shaping how information is collected, shared and used. AI has become more prevalent, widely adopted and as more tools become available, knowing how and where your data moves has never been more important. This year’s theme focuses on how understanding these technologies empowers people to feel confident, informed and in control of their personal information.
Our keynote speaker, Bill Simpson-Young, Chief Executive at the Gradient Institute, will discuss AI and Privacy: What are the new capabilities and risks and what do those mean for privacy?
NSW Privacy Commissioner Sonia Minutillo will address the overarching theme of PAW 2026 and how small choices can strengthen privacy protection and in keeping your information safe in the age of AI.
Resources:
For NSW Privacy Awareness Week 2026, the IPC has is releasing the following new guidance:
- For the public: Fact Sheet – Engaging with AI
- The IPC has released a fact sheet designed to assist the public to understand how AI can raise privacy concerns and impact the security of their personal information.
- The IPC has released a fact sheet designed to assist the public to understand how AI can raise privacy concerns and impact the security of their personal information.
- For agencies: Guide – Privacy risks associated with the use of generative AI tools
- The IPC has developed new guide for agencies to understand and comply with privacy obligations in the use and adoption of Generative AI.
Additional to these new resources, the IPC is also highlighting the following updated resources during NSW Privacy Awareness Week 2026:
- For agencies: Guide – A guide to Privacy Management Plans
- Helps agencies to understand what is required in a Privacy Management Plan and now includes information on including AI in your plan.
- Helps agencies to understand what is required in a Privacy Management Plan and now includes information on including AI in your plan.
- For agencies: Checklist – Privacy Management Plans
- Helps agencies to understand what is required in a Privacy Management Plan and now includes AI/ADM considerations.
- Helps agencies to understand what is required in a Privacy Management Plan and now includes AI/ADM considerations.
- For agencies: Privacy Complaints Handling e-Learning module
- Updated module to new e-learning format and inclusion of details for the Mandatory Notification of Data Breach Scheme
- Updated module to new e-learning format and inclusion of details for the Mandatory Notification of Data Breach Scheme
