WEBINAR: Protection of genomic data and the Australian Privacy Act: when is genomic data 'personal information'?

This record includes training materials associated with the Australian BioCommons webinar ‘Protection of genomic data and the Australian Privacy Act: when is genomic data ‘personal information’?’. This webinar took place on 6 April 2022.

Event description 

It is easy to assume that genomic data will be captured by legal definitions of ‘health information’ and ‘genetic information’, but the legal meaning of ‘genetic information’ need not align with scientific categories. 

There are many different types of genomic data, with varied characteristics, uses and applications.  Clarifying when genomic data is covered by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) is an ongoing evaluative exercise but is important for at least 3 reasons: 

those subject to the Privacy Act need to be able to confidently navigate their responsibilities
understanding current controls is a prerequisite for meaningful external critique (and this is particularly important at a time when the Privacy Act is under review), and
while legislation that applies to state public sector agencies is generally distinct from the Privacy Act there are similarities that extend the relevance of the question when is genomic data ‘personal information’ under the Privacy Act?

In this presentation, Mark will explore the relationship between the legal concept of genetic information and the concept of genomic data relevant to health and medical research, reflect on the characteristics of each, and the possibility

Materials are shared under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International agreement unless otherwise specified and were current at the time of the event.

Files and materials included in this record:

Event metadata (PDF): Information about the event including, description, event URL, learning objectives, prerequisites, technical requirements etc.


Index of training materials (PDF): List and description of all materials associated with this event including the name, format, location and a brief description of each file.


Taylor_Slides (PDF): A PDF copy of the slides presented during the webinar.

Materials shared elsewhere:

A recording of this webinar is available on the Australian BioCommons YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/Iaei-9Gu-AI