The Market & Social Research Privacy Code

The Market & Social Research Privacy Principles (M&SRPPs) in the Privacy Code replace the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) in the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth) in governing the collection, retention, disclosure and transfer of information about the subjects of and participants in market and social research.

The M&SRPPs reflect the Privacy Act in a manner that is tailored to the research context:

  • participation in market and social research is voluntary
  • market and social researchers are not interested in making use of the identity of research participants and
  • AMSRO members use, disclose and/or transfer the information obtained only for research purposes.

The Code was approved by the Privacy Commissioner on 1st September 2003, and again on 6 June 2007, upon review. This approval indicates that the Privacy Commissioner is satisfied that the Market and Social Research Privacy Principles included in the Code are at least the overall equivalent of all of the obligations set out in the National Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth).

Download a copy of the Market & Social Research Privacy Code

AMSRO members subscribe to the Market & Social Research Privacy Code

Assistance for AMSRO members

Privacy Compliance Committee

AMSRO operates a Privacy Compliance Committee to review and make recommendations on matters relating to the Code and areas relating to privacy and the market and social research industry.

Contact AMSRO regarding the Privacy Code

The Code is administered by the AMSRO Privacy Officer, Jane Gregory, who can be contacted on

Telephone: 02 9552 4618
Email: amsro@amsro.com.au
Address: Level 1, 3 Queen Street, Glebe NSW 2037

Making a complaint

An individual who believes their privacy may have been affected by a research organisation that is bound by the Market & Social Research Privacy Code has the right to make a complaint about the matter to that research organisation. The organisation will consider the complaint and attempt to resolve it.

If a complaint cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of the individual within 30 business days, either the individual or the research organisation may refer the complaint to the Privacy Commissioner.

Further information

Further information on privacy is available on the website of the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner http://www.oaic.gov.au