Disclosure of genetic information to at-risk relatives: recent amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cwlth)

The federal Privacy Act 1988 (Cwlth) has recently been amended to permit the disclosure of genetic information to an at-risk relative when there is a serious (although not necessarily imminent) threat to that person's life, health, or safety. This represents a significant exception to the statutory obligations to maintain the privacy of a patient's health information. However, its scope of operation is limited in that it applies only to doctors and other health professionals working in the private sector, and does not cover those working in State public hospitals or for Commonwealth Government agencies.