What Is the Notifiable Data Breach Scheme in Australia?
Australian businesses are facing a surge in cyber incidents — ransomware, phishing attacks, credential theft, and insider data loss. In this environment, organisations are expected not only to prevent data breaches, but to report them quickly when they occur.
This responsibility sits under the Notifiable Data Breach Scheme (NDB Scheme) — a key component of Australian data breach laws that requires organisations to notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) if personal information is compromised.
At Secure Konnect, we help organisations build resilience, prepare incident response plans, and improve cyber maturity levels based on the ASD Essential Eight framework.
What is the Notifiable Data Breach Scheme in Australia?
The notifiable data breach scheme is an Australian legal requirement under the Privacy Act 1988. It requires organisations to notify individuals and the OAIC when a data breach is likely to result in serious harm.
If your organisation stores personal information, you must comply. This includes email addresses, customer files, CRM data, employee records and form submissions through your website.
To understand whether your organisation is prepared, you can request a free Essential Eight maturity assessment to benchmark your current cyber maturity.
What Should Be Included in a Data Breach Notification?
When an eligible breach has been confirmed, the organisation must send a data breach notification to both:
- The affected individuals
- The OAIC via the official reporting channel
A compliant notification must include:
- Identity and contact details of the business
- A description of the breach: what happened, how, and when
- Types of data involved (names, addresses, tax file numbers, etc.)
- Potential harm: identity theft, fraud, or financial loss
- Actions taken to contain the breach
- Instructions for individuals on how to protect themselves
Interested in what is the Data Breach Notification Scheme in Australia? If you’re unsure how to structure a notification, we can assist — book a consultation.
What Are the Four Common Causes of Data Breaches?
The OAIC highlights four primary types of data breaches affecting Australian organisations.
1. Human error
Misdirected email, incorrect document sharing, or accidental publication.
2. Phishing attacks (credential theft)
Attackers imitate trusted entities to capture login credentials.
To reduce phishing risk, organisations need formal training and phishing simulations. Learn more about our cyber security consulting services.
3. Cyber attacks (malware/ransomware)
Common outcomes include ransomware, mailbox takeover, or business email compromise.
4. System or process failure
Backups that fail, no MFA, or unrestricted admin access. If you need more information on what is the Data Breach Notification Scheme in Australia let us know!
Why the Dat Breach Notification Scheme Important for Australian Businesses
1. Legal and financial consequences
Non-compliance can lead to penalties, insurance refusal and regulatory investigation.
2. Loss of customer and stakeholder trust
Research shows that most customers will stop dealing with a business after a breach if they believe it was mishandled.
3. Cyber insurance implications
Insurers now require proof of maturity. Our Essential Eight assessment provides evidence.
How to Avoid Data Breaches (Practical Defence Blueprint)
The most effective way to reduce breach likelihood is implementing the Australian Government’s Essential Eight maturity model.
- Enable MFA across email and remote access
- Run phishing simulations and user training
- Patch systems within 14 days of release
- Test backups every 90 days — including offline
- Create a documented incident response plan
You can assess your maturity level by completing our free Essential Eight cyber maturity scorecard. To assess your readiness for the Data Breach Notification Scheme contact us!
What to Do If You Experience a Data Breach
- Contain the breach by isolating affected accounts or systems
- Assess whether serious harm is likely
- Notify individuals affected and the OAIC (if required)
- Document evidence and lessons learned
We can help guide you through breach response — talk to an expert.
Secure Konnect: Free Essential Eight Cyber Gap Assessment
Want to reduce the risk of a breach — and prove cyber maturity to insurers?
Get a free cyber maturity score and PDF report.
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