The WA government is undertaking a process of drafting new privacy and responsible information sharing (PRIS) laws that will apply to WA public sector organisations. These new PRIS laws will mean that WA public sector organisations will be subject to privacy laws for the first time.

In anticipation of the introduction of the PRIS laws, the WA government issued a baseline readiness assessment in 2023, to assist public sector organisations to assess their current state of preparedness for the introduction of privacy laws and identify an action plan to address any gaps. The second progress report on the action plan is due to be lodged with the PRIS Implementation Steering Committee in May 2024, ahead of completing the program of activities by December 2024. For many organisations, there will need to be a significant program of work put in place so that they are ready to meet these new obligations.

MinterEllison is experienced in advising Commonwealth and State public sector organisations on their privacy, data and information sharing obligations, and we are well-placed to support your organisation in its program of work, to ensure it is in a position to meet its PRIS obligations. We can assist in undertaking privacy audits, developing policies and procedures, undertaking Privacy Impact Assessments, and preparing Data Breach Response Plans.