Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) vs GDPR

What is the difference between Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR?

Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) is a privacy framework applying in Australia, with 13 controls across 5 domains. GDPR is a privacy framework applying in the European Union, with 40 controls across 4 domains. Both govern the same subject, so their requirements overlap; the mapping below shows which controls carry across and which are asked for by only one of them.

Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)13 controls

GDPR40 controls

Measured coverage between these frameworks

We map controls between these two frameworks in a knowledge graph and have a person review every mapping before it is published. Below is what that review found. The figures are read live from the graph, not written by hand.

GDPR into Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)

84.6%

11 of 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) controls carry evidence from GDPR, leaving 2 to satisfy separately.

25 candidate mappings were examined and 0 were rejected on review, signed off 2026-08-20.

Read the full crosswalk, including every rejected mapping →

Coverage is directional. Mapping A into B is a different measurement from B into A, because the two standards do not carry the same depth on the same subjects.

Questions people ask about Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR

What is the difference between Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR?

Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) has 13 controls while GDPR has 40 controls. Both frameworks address compliance requirements but differ in scope, focus, and applicability. Use our platform to explore the exact control-to-control mappings.

Do I need both Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR?

Whether you need both depends on your industry, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. Many organizations implement multiple frameworks simultaneously. Our compliance platform helps you map controls between Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR so you can identify shared requirements and avoid duplicate effort.

How do Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR controls map to each other?

Our platform maps controls between Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR at a granular level. Each mapping shows whether controls are fully aligned, partially aligned, or represent gaps. This helps you prioritize implementation when pursuing both frameworks.

Which framework should I implement first, Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) or GDPR?

The best starting point depends on your specific regulatory requirements, industry, and customer demands. Consider which framework is most urgently required by your stakeholders or regulators. Use our free compliance platform to run a gap analysis and determine the optimal implementation sequence.

Each framework on its own

Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)

13 controls · Privacy

View full framework →

GDPR

40 controls · Privacy

View full framework →

Comparisons people read next

Each of these compares one of the two standards above against another it shares controls with.

Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) vs Australia Consumer Data Right - Banking (CDR)12 shared controls Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) vs APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) System11 shared controls Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) vs Australia My Health Records Act 20125 shared controls GDPR vs ISO 27701:201933 shared controls GDPR vs AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF)30 shared controls GDPR vs NIST SP 800-53 Rev 527 shared controls

See all control mappings with interactive gap analysis

Explore the complete mapping between Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and GDPR on our compliance platform.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.