The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has issued a consultation paper as part of its review of the Tax File Number Guidelines (TFN Guidelines).

The TFN Guidelines, issued under s 17 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), protect the privacy of individuals by regulating the collection, storage, use, disclosure, security and disposal of tax file number information.

The OAIC is seeking comments on draft revised TFN Guidelines, guidance material and updated ‘Classes of Lawful Tax File Number Recipients’.

The main aims of the OAIC’s review of the TFN Guidelines are to:
•clarify the language and format of the TFN Guidelines and make them easier to read, understand and interpret;
•incorporate the advisory Commissioner’s Notes into either the Guidelines themselves or the accompanying guidance material to help clarify the TFN Guidelines’ meaning;
•bring the terminology up-to-date, by removing or changing references to agencies that no longer exist and to legislation which has been amended or repealed;
•update definitions so that they are consistent with relevant legislation and flexible enough to capture new legislation relating to the handling of TFNs;
•maintain the existing policy intent that underlies the TFN Guidelines to protect individuals’ privacy by restricting the use and ensuring the careful handling of TFNs.

The closing date for comments is Thursday 15 September 2011.