Introduction
Consumer data rights reforms in Australia are reshaping how enterprises handle personal information by introducing operational, legal, and technical responsibilities that apply across every part of the business. That includes how data is collected, how it is stored, and how it moves between internal teams and external systems.
John Harding, general manager – managed services, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Organisations should treat data like any other regulated asset. Every time personal information enters a system, it must come with clear context: how it was collected; what purpose it serves; where it sits; and who has access. This level of visibility keeps data use consistent across departments and platforms. Businesses will struggle to meet even the most basic compliance requirements without it.”
Access and deletion requests often reveal where systems fall short. The business needs to retrieve every piece of data linked to a customer as soon as a request is received, including traditional documents, forms, emails, drop files, and hand-written information. These requests must be handled quickly and accurately. Manual workarounds or disconnected systems slow things down and increase the risk of missing information.
John Harding said, “Access control must match the responsibilities of each user. For example, a team member managing service requests may need access to a customer’s email address, though not their payment history or full contact records. Granting broader access than required increases risk and makes it harder to track down issues when they occur. Role-based permissions limit exposure while keeping daily tasks efficient. Regular reviews maintain alignment with how people work across systems.”
Holding On Too Long
Retention is another area under pressure. Holding on to data after it’s no longer required increases risk and inflates storage costs. Businesses need systems that can identify stale data, apply expiration rules, and act on withdrawal of consent. Each of these steps must connect across systems so the business doesn’t miss a copy sitting in a shared drive or old archive.
Third-party platforms extend the challenge. The business remains responsible for customer data, even when it flows through a vendor’s system. Contract terms are only part of the solution. Businesses should review how vendors manage access, store information, and apply audit controls regularly. Asking for evidence of these controls is critical to reducing third-party risk.
John Harding said, “Internal training directly affects how data gets handled. Many issues start with common actions, such as pulling contact lists for a campaign, exporting reports to personal devices, or saving files to the wrong folder. A contact centre agent handles data differently to a developer or marketing lead for example, and teams need guidance that reflects how they work. Specific, role-based training bridges the gap between policy and practice.
“Leadership must take a clear position on this shift. Decision-makers need to understand which systems hold personal information, how those systems interact, and where the governance gaps sit. That clarity lets leaders make informed calls on risk, resourcing, and improvement priorities. Strong oversight supports faster response times and fewer surprises during audits or investigations.”
In Summary
Consumer data rights will keep expanding, and these reforms represent a permanent shift in how personal information is treated across Australian enterprises. Businesses that act now, with practical and coordinated changes, will reduce complexity and build more trust in how they work.
