Personal information, also called personal data, is any information that relates to a specific person. Some of the most obvious examples of personal information include someone's name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and medical records (if they can be used to identify the person).

Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. The Privacy Act 1988 protects personal information collected for inclusion in a record or publication.

Personal information is information or an opinion, including information or an opinion forming part of a database, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

For example, a person’s name, phone number, address and date of birth will generally be personal information because that information can identify a person. However, other information such as a person’s religion, ethnicity and work details may also identify a person.