---
title: "Notifiable data breaches"
source: "https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches"
collection: "oaic-privacy"
guidance_commit: "db3111cd9d11643ac08b34b4d75b0d0d983ca388"
---

# Notifiable data breaches

## A data breach happens when personal information is accessed or disclosed without authorisation or is lost. If the *Privacy Act 1988* covers your organisation or agency, you must notify affected individuals and us when a data breach involving personal information is likely to result in serious harm.

<img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/22805/Privacy-notifiable-data-breaches.jpg" class="image" alt="Privacy-notifiable-data-breaches" />

<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/about-the-notifiable-data-breaches-scheme" class="feature-cards__tile-links-s" data-order="1"></a>

### About the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme

<span class="feature-cards__arrow-s"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" class="icon" aria-hidden="true" /> </span>

<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/when-to-report-a-data-breach" class="feature-cards__tile-links-s" data-order="2"></a>

### When to report a data breach

<span class="feature-cards__arrow-s"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" class="icon" aria-hidden="true" /> </span>

<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/report-a-data-breach" class="feature-cards__tile-links-s" data-order="3"></a>

### Report a data breach

<span class="feature-cards__arrow-s"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" class="icon" aria-hidden="true" /> </span>

<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/notifiable-data-breach-statistics-dashboard" class="feature-cards__tile-links-s" data-order="3"></a>

### Notifiable Data Breach statistics dashboard

<span class="feature-cards__arrow-s"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" class="icon" aria-hidden="true" /> </span>

<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/quick-reference-guide-for-responding-to-data-breaches" class="feature-cards__tile-links-s" data-order="2"></a>

### Quick reference guide for responding to data breaches

<span class="feature-cards__arrow-s"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" class="icon" aria-hidden="true" /> </span>

<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/notifiable-data-breaches/preventing-preparing-for-and-responding-to-data-breaches" class="feature-cards__tile-links-s" data-order="1"></a>

### Preventing, preparing for and responding to data breaches

<span class="feature-cards__arrow-s"> <img src="https://www.oaic.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0020/12548/arrow.svg" class="icon" aria-hidden="true" /> </span>

See also our [webinar](https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/research-and-training-resources/webinars) discussions on notifiable data breaches.