Take action

Have your say in decisions about AI

Every day, governments are making decisions about data centres, surveillance, automation and online safety. Stay informed, have your say, and take action on consultations, regulatory submissions and policy changes.

Current consultation Closes 5 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, Friday 9 October

AI infrastructure

Getting it right: Building AI infrastructure that works for Australia

What to ask for

Require new, local clean power that matches electricity use hour by hour
Require project-level water-use figures and protect household and agricultural supply
Publish diesel generator use, emissions and cumulative grid impacts
Make community notice and public submissions mandatory before approval
Require consent and enforceable limits on data used to train AI systems

Make a submission by 9 October Use the policy submission template

Decisions to challenge or influence

Current laws and regulatory changes

Each item explains what has changed, why it matters and the action still available.

Act passedAssented 26 August 2026

Surveillance and computer-access warrants extended

The Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Act 2026 extended the sunset date for network activity, data disruption and account takeover warrants by three years.

Why it matters

These powers allow covert access to networks, accounts and data. The accountability question is whether oversight, reporting and review keep pace with the extended powers.

Take action

Write to the Attorney-General and your federal representatives. Ask them to support public reporting, strict necessity tests and independent review before the next sunset date. Request a written response.

Parliamentary record Find your representatives

Starts soon10 December 2026

Disclosure of automated decisions

Organisations covered by the Privacy Act will need to state in their privacy policies when personal information is used in automated decisions that can significantly affect a person’s rights or interests.

Why it matters

Disclosure is useful, but disclosure alone does not guarantee an explanation, human review or a workable appeal when an automated decision causes harm.

Take action

Ask the organisation in writing whether an automated system was used, what data it relied on and how to obtain human review. Request access to your personal information. If the issue is not resolved after 30 days, lodge a complaint with the OAIC.

OAIC guidance process Privacy complaint steps

In forceAge-check duties expanded during 2026

Age checks under online safety codes

Age-restricted material codes now require some search services, app stores, social platforms, games and AI services to use age assurance in defined circumstances.

Why it matters

Age checks can involve identity documents, facial age estimation, payment data or behavioural signals. The codes require privacy minimisation, fairness and more than a government ID-only route.

Take action

Record what data the service demands, the alternatives it offers and how long it keeps the data. Refuse unnecessary collection, complain to the service in writing and report apparent code breaches to eSafety. Use the privacy complaint process if personal information is mishandled.

How age checks work Codes and complaint route

Act passedMain provisions start 1 July 2027

Unfair digital design and subscription traps

The Unfair Trading Practices Act targets conduct that manipulates consumers, distorts choice, hides transaction charges or makes subscriptions hard to cancel.

Why it matters

Defaults, confusing consent processes and obstructive cancellation can affect whether a consumer has made a free and informed choice.

Take action

Keep screenshots, dates, charges and correspondence. Demand cancellation or a refund in writing, then report the conduct to the ACCC and your state or territory consumer agency.

Parliamentary record Report to the ACCC

Consultation closedFinal code due 10 December 2026

Children’s Online Privacy Code

The code will set extra privacy duties for apps, games, websites and other online services likely to be used by children.

Why it matters

The final rules will shape age assurance, profiling, targeted marketing, deletion rights and how a child’s consent is treated.

What remains possible

The formal consultation is closed, but the code is not final. Write to the OAIC and your federal representatives before 10 December. Ask for data minimisation, a ban on behavioural advertising to children, genuine deletion rights and strict limits on age-assurance data.

OAIC code page Contact the OAIC

How you can make a difference

Make a formal submission

Use a submission to influence a consultation, inquiry or planning application before the deadline. State the decision you want, address the published criteria and demand clear conditions where approval is being considered.

Use the submission guide

Start a parliamentary petition

Use a petition to put a clear demand before Parliament and build visible public support. Follow the chamber’s rules exactly; the federal secretariat will check a draft before it is launched.

Read federal petition rules

Write to representatives

Contact your local member, the responsible minister and your state senators. State the action you expect, explain the local or public impact, attach evidence and ask for a written response.

Find federal representatives

Make a regulator complaint

Use a complaint when a specific act has already occurred. Keep screenshots and correspondence, name the rule or right involved, explain the harm and state the remedy you want.

OAIC privacy complaints

Request public records

Use freedom of information laws to uncover decision records, meetings, assessments and correspondence. Ask for specific documents, date ranges and agencies so the request is difficult to dismiss as too broad.

Understand federal FOI

Organise peaceful public action

Hold a public meeting, rally, letter-writing event or community briefing to build pressure and bring affected people together. Check local notification, traffic, trespass and public-space rules before organising.

Australian protest rights explainer