DATE

26 May 2026

TIME

09.00 – 11.30

DURATION

Two and a half hours including a short break

LOCATION

Sydney

ABOUT THE MASTERCLASS

This very practical masterclass will provide the must-know about the use of biometrics in Australia from the early system-design phase to implementation. Australia has seen a fairly significant decision about the use of biometrics in retail setting with a very limited and conditional use of biometrics. As the Australian Privacy Commissioner points out “Retailers should view the decision as a useful case study, rather than a green light for deployment of biometric technologies.” This raises critical questions about the use of biometrics in other settings and how organisations assess whether their planned use of biometrics and facial recognition technology in particular is proportionate and will comply with the Australian Privacy Act.

For 25 years, the Biometrics Institute through its diverse membership has been promoting the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics, providing an independent platform for guidance on how to go about your biometric journey. We are therefore well-placed to work through the key considerations for making an informed-decision about the use of biometrics.

This masterclass is taking place alongside the annual Asia-Pacific Conference (held at Dockside) in Sydney and is followed by an afternoon workshop focusing on Mitigating GenAI Vulnerabilities in Biometrics.

AGENDA

8:30 Registration and coffee

9:00 Welcome
Isabelle Moeller, Chief Executive, Biometrics Institute

9:05 Introduction and setting the scene
• Same, same but different: Not all uses of FRT in a publicly accessible places bear the same risks 
• Key Questions to Ask Before you Start
Terry Aulich, Head of Privacy Expert Group, Biometrics Institute

9:35 How do you run FRT in Australia and comply with Privacy Law
• What does the Australian Review Tribunal Ruling regarding Bunnings actually say and what not?
• What do you need to do now? What are the reasonable steps to protect privacy?
• What are the high-risk areas?
• Collection, use, disclosure and storage
• What is a Privacy Impact Assessment?
Kelly Matheson, Member of the Privacy Expert Group, Biometrics Institute in conversation with Chantal Tipene, Member, Biometrics Institute

10:10 Morning break

10:30 Workshop continues

11:25 Closing remarks
Isabelle Moeller, Chief Executive, Biometrics Institute

11:30 Close of event followed by lunch and the afternoon workshop

EXPERT PRESENTERS

Terry Aulich is the Head of Privacy and Policy Expert Group (PEG), Biometrics Institute. The PEG is one of the oldest committees within the Institute and has been instrumental in facilitating the development of an Australian Privacy Code in 2006 which has now morphed into the Privacy Guidelines. Other pieces of guidance include a Privacy Awareness Checklist which is currently being updated. Terry has facilitated a range of Privacy Workshops for the Biometrics Institute.

Terry Aulich is also the chairman of Aulich & Co, strategic advisors, pollsters and market researchers since 1993. He was an Australian state minister and federal senator for over sixteen years.

Kelly Matheson, Member of the Privacy Expert Group, Biometrics Institute and Partner, Sparke Helmore Lawyers. Kelly is an experienced legal practitioner specialising in administrative and privacy law. She brings a wealth of experience in advising on privacy and secrecy law compliance issues and assisting Commonwealth, state and local governments, as well as private sector organisations, to understand their obligations under the Privacy Act, including the implication of the proposed Privacy Act 1988 amendments to their operations.
Kelly is regularly entrusted to assist government agencies and private sector organisations to navigate privacy issues associated with the implementation of complex and novel digital solutions, including those involving facial recognition technology, automated decision making and AI.

Chantal Tipene, Member, Biometrics Institute and Partner, Sparke Helmore Lawyers. Chantal is an Accredited Specialist in Government and Administrative Law with more than 20 years’ experience providing specialist legal advice and representation to the Commonwealth, state and local governments. Chantal advises on all aspects of information law—from privacy to FOI, surveillance, and other compulsory information access processes.
Recognised for her expertise, Chantal is a member of the Law Council of Australia’s Business Law Committee which advises on Privacy Law and related Commonwealth law reform as well as the Law Society of NSW’s Privacy Law Committee. In July 2025, Chantal was appointed by the Governor of NSW to the NSW Information and Privacy Advisory Committee established under Part 7 of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW). More recently in 2025, Chantal was shortlisted for Government Partner of the year, Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This event is essential for anyone involved in the planning, development or operation of a biometric application with a focus on how to risk-manage your biometric use from the early stage of systems design. It is suitable for delegates who have little or no knowledge of biometric technologies as well as those who have worked with biometrics for a long time.

Target audience:

• Legal counsel
• Privacy and policy makers
• Operational, technical and security managers
• Customer service representatives and front-line staff
• Senior management
• Communication and PR executives

Organisations looking at using / using FRT (and other remote capture biometrics e.g. voice) in a publicly accessible space such as: 

• Retail
• Hospitality (clubs, pubs, casinos, hotels, stadiums, festival organisers, VIP lounges etc)
• Schools
• Customer services centre
• Government and law enforcement
• Airports and airlines
• Technology suppliers

Participants have the opportunity to bring to bear their own experiences and areas of expertise during the masterclass.

REGISTRATION FEES

Members: AU$500 incl. GST
Non-members: AU$700 incl. GST

The Institute has experienced a rise in late registrations and this has a significant impact on administrative cost and time, the management of event logistics, and catering arrangements.
As such, delegate fees for late registrations will increase effective from Tuesday 12 May 2026 to:

Members: AU$600 incl. GST
Non-members: AU$800 incl. GST

The Institute seeks to provide a positive, safe and productive environment at our events in order to foster and encourage the exchange of ideas and provide equal opportunities and treatment for all participants. Participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration. Free and open discussion and debate are important and valued benefits of the Institute’s community. 

We ask that all attendees registered for our events note and abide by the Institute’s Code of Conduct so as to ensure a positive, respectful and rewarding experience for all.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTIFICATION

The Biometrics Institute provides training and course material as a tool to help you conduct due diligence. While the Institute has used reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of the material and course, due to the content and variable inputs during and after the process of implementing biometrics, the Institute cannot be held accountable for outcomes or compliance. The material and course have been prepared for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide legal or compliance advice. You should consult your legal advisor should you require advice on the legal or compliance aspects of the material or course.