Under a new framework to commence on 1 November 2010, the Australian Information Commissioner will assume responsibility for both the Privacy Act (Cth) and the Freedom of Information Act (Cth).

The Freedom of Information (Reform) Act 2010 and the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 received Royal Assent on 31 May 2010.

Some provisions relating to FOI will commence on 1 May 2011.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will bring together the functions of information policy, privacy protection and freedom of information into the same agency for the first time, with the goal of developing a consistent workable information policy across all Australian Government agencies.

Under proposed amendments to the Privacy Act, where an individual requests access to, or correction of, their own personal information from an agency, there will be mechanisms in the Privacy Act for merits review of a decision by an agency to refuse to comply with such a request.