For How Long Is CCTV Footage Retained in Australia

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras are an essential component of modern home and business security, providing video surveillance to help deter and identify potential intruders. In Australia, commercial CCTV footage retention is subject to specific legal requirements that businesses and homeowners must comply with. Let’s see for how long CCTV footage should be retained in Australia.

 

CCTV footage retention in Australia is governed by both federal and state privacy laws. The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) applies to businesses that have an annual turnover of more than AUD 3 million. State and Territory privacy laws apply to businesses and individuals who do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Privacy Act.

 

According to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), there is no specific time period for how long CCTV footage should be retained. However, businesses and individuals are required to implement reasonable security measures to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorized access.

 

Under the Privacy Act, commercial places must have a policy on how they manage personal information, including CCTV footage. The policy should outline how long CCTV footage is retained and the circumstances under which it will be destroyed. The policy should also outline how individuals can access their personal information and request its correction or deletion.

 

State and Territory privacy laws may require commercial places to retain CCTV footage for a specific period, depending on the nature of the business and the information collected. For example, the New South Wales Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 requires employers to retain workplace surveillance records for at least 30 days.

 

In summary, there is no specific time period for how long commercial CCTV footage should be retained in Australia. However, businesses and individuals must comply with the Privacy Act and state and territory privacy laws. This includes implementing reasonable security measures, having a policy on how CCTV footage is managed, and retaining footage for a reasonable period depending on the nature of the business and information collected. It is essential to seek legal advice on CCTV footage retention requirements to ensure compliance with privacy laws.