As part of the Government's proposed changes to the Privacy Act (see here) 4 additional categories of information ("data sets")(see here) as well as repayment history information will be permitted to be included in credit reports.

The Government has announced the following key dates for implementation:

• The exposure draft of the amendments will be released in early 2010 for further consultation;
• the listing of the four data sets with credit reporting agencies will be permitted to occur in relation to existing accounts open at the time that the amendments to the Privacy Act take effect;
• The Government will consult with stakeholders on whether the ‘plus four’ data sets should be shared prior to the commencement of repayment history disclosure;
• the period from when repayment history may be reported will commence from 14 April 2010;
• the commencement of provisions about the use and disclosure of repayment history information will be subject to the same commencement date as the full responsible lending obligations in the National Consumer Credit Protection Act (1 January 2011).