What is PII? Protecting Personally Identifiable Information in Australia (2025)

Every time you apply for a loan, sign up for a new bank account, or even shop online, you’re handing over pieces of yourself—your Personally Identifiable Information (PII). In 2025, with digital finance deeply embedded in Australian life, understanding and safeguarding PII is more crucial than ever. But what exactly is PII, how are regulations changing, and what practical steps can you take to protect your financial identity?

What Counts as PII—and Why Should You Care?

PII refers to any information that can be used to identify you as an individual. In the context of Australian finance, this could include:

• Full name, address, and date of birth
• Driver licence or passport numbers
• Tax File Number (TFN) and Medicare number
• Bank account and credit card details
• Email addresses and phone numbers
• Biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial scans

Why does this matter? Because once your PII falls into the wrong hands, it can be used for identity theft, unauthorised transactions, or even large-scale fraud. In 2024 alone, the Australian Cyber Security Centre reported a 23% year-on-year increase in financial scams involving compromised personal data—and 2025 projections show no sign of this slowing down.

PII and Australian Regulation: What’s New in 2025?

The Australian government has responded to the growing threat by tightening privacy and data security laws in 2025. Here’s what’s changed:

• Privacy Act Reforms: The Privacy Act 1988 has been amended to expand the definition of PII, now explicitly covering biometric and digital identifiers. Financial institutions must ensure all forms of PII are protected—not just the basics.
• Mandatory Breach Notification: If your PII is exposed in a data breach, organisations must notify you within 72 hours. This rapid notification aims to help Australians act quickly to minimise harm.
• Stronger Penalties: Fines for mishandling PII have increased substantially, with major banks facing penalties up to $50 million per serious incident.

Recent real-world example: In early 2025, a prominent Australian fintech faced a $12 million penalty after failing to secure biometric login data, resulting in thousands of customers’ identities being compromised.

How to Protect Your PII: Practical Steps for Aussies

It’s not just banks and lenders who need to take PII seriously—you have a vital role to play in protecting your data. Here’s how:

• Be selective with your information: Don’t provide more than necessary. Ask why your PII is needed and how it will be used.
• Use strong, unique passwords: Don’t reuse passwords across financial accounts. Consider a reputable password manager.
• Monitor your financial statements: Check your bank and credit card activity regularly for unfamiliar transactions.
• Enable multi-factor authentication: Most banks now offer biometric or SMS-based authentication—turn it on for every account.
• Stay informed about breaches: Sign up for notifications from your financial providers and from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

And remember: your Tax File Number is especially sensitive. Legitimate organisations will never ask for it via email or phone unless you initiated the contact.

The Bottom Line: Your Financial Identity Is Your Most Valuable Asset

As Australia pushes further into a cashless, digital-first economy, your PII is a key to both opportunity and risk. Financial institutions are stepping up their game with tighter regulations and advanced security, but the responsibility is shared. By staying alert to new policies, being cautious about sharing your details, and using modern security tools, you can help ensure your financial future stays in your hands—where it belongs.