Rules to support the Data-matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Act 1990 (Data-matching Act) have been registered.
The Data-matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Rules 2021 (the Rules) provide privacy safeguards for the use of tax file numbers and other personal information in income compliance data-matching programs, by setting out certain responsibilities that must be met by agencies that participate in regulated data-matching programs.
The Rules will ensure that the use of data matching is based on clear and publicly known standards. The Rules also provide for monitoring by the Information Commissioner of technical standards for data-matching programs and for privacy safeguards for individuals affected by the outcomes of data matching.
The Rules will impose additional procedural and reporting obligations upon regulated agencies which conduct regulated data-matching activities. Benefits of these regulations include continued lawful, accurate debt raising for regulated entities and ensuring that individuals are protected by appropriate safeguards in the design and implementation of data-matching programs under the Data-matching Act.
These Rules apply only to data matching carried out under the Data-matching Act. They replace the -Matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Act 1990 — Guidelines, which are due to sunset on 1 October 2021.
Source: Data-matching Program (Assistance and Tax) Rules 2021, (Legislative Instrument F2021L00712), Federal Register of Legislation website, 8 June 2021, accessed 8 June 2021.
