Are Your Privacy Policies Compliant? Protect Your Business Under Australian Law

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Are Your Privacy Policies Compliant? Protect Your Business Under Australian Law

Privacy. It sounds like a simple concept, right?

Keep people’s information safe, don’t sell it to dodgy third parties, and don’t use it in ways you wouldn’t want your own details used.

Yet, for small businesses in Australia, privacy law can seem like a challenge with questions like:

Who needs a privacy policy? What should it include? And what happens if you get it wrong?

Breathe easy—Sharon Givoni Consulting is here to break it down in plain English.

By the end of this guide, we hope that you will understand the basics and why your business can’t afford to ignore privacy compliance.

Who Needs a Privacy Policy anyway?

Legally speaking, in Australia, these businesses must have a privacy policy:

• Businesses with an annual turnover of more than $3 million
• Health service providers (regardless of turnover)
• Businesses that trade in personal information
• Credit reporting agencies
• Australian Government agencies

But here’s the thing —even if you’re not legally required to have one, a privacy policy still matters.

Consumers expect it. If your business grows, you might suddenly need one. And let’s be honest—trust is really important in business.

If you want your business to be taken seriously, having a clear and compliant privacy policy is a no-brainer.

Why You Need a Lawyer to Handle Your Privacy Policy

Thinking of writing your own privacy policy? You could, but it’s risky—privacy laws change constantly, generic templates don’t fit every business, and getting it wrong can lead to fines, legal trouble, and lost customer trust. A properly drafted policy not only keeps you compliant but also protects your business if issues arise.

At Sharon Givoni Consulting, we ensure your privacy policy is legally compliant, easy to understand, and tailored to your business. No unnecessary legal jargon—just Legal Ease Not Legalese®.

Case study – getting it wrong

Imagine SmallTech Solutions, a Sydney-based IT consultancy, assumed they didn’t need a privacy policy because they were a small business under $3 million turnover.

They stored thousands of client details, including credit card information, but had no proper security measures in place. In 2025, hackers stole 5,000 customer records, triggering a legal nightmare—since they handled sensitive financial data, the OAIC investigated, leading to hefty fines and a costly cybersecurity overhaul.

Worse, clients lost trust, contracts were cancelled, and their reputation tanked with scathing online review.

Privacy Laws Are Changing

The Australian Government is considering scrapping the small business exemption. This means ALL businesses, regardless of size, would have to comply with privacy laws.

This could mean that if you don’t have a privacy policy now, you will need one soon.

Feeling overwhelmed? That’s where we come in.

At Sharon Givoni Consulting, we make privacy compliance simple, clear, and stress-free. We don’t do legal jargon—just practical, Plain English policies that protect your business.

• Custom privacy policies tailored to your business
• Compliance with Australian law (so you don’t have to guess)
• No legal mumbo-jumbo
• Just Legal Ease Not Legalese®

Contact us today to get your privacy policy sorted!

Please note the above article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice.

Please email us info@iplegal.com.au if you need legal advice about your brand or another legal matter in this area generally.