Sarah Birkett

Special Counsel

Emailsarah.birkett@akd.partners

Call+61 3 9274 5464

Melbourne

About

Sarah leads our Australian data, privacy and cybersecurity practice, with over 17 years experience advising clients across Australia and the UK. She specializes in helping global organizations manage complex data compliance challenges, particularly in relation to user identity systems, cross-border data transfers, and IP-rich digital platforms.

Her expertise spans cyber incident response, privacy risk management, and regulatory engagement, including under Australia s Notifiable Data Breach regime. Sarah also works proactively with clients to strengthen cyber resilience through breach simulations, policy reviews, and governance frameworks.

Sarah regularly advises on the application of the Australian Privacy Principles in diverse contexts from market entry strategies for overseas entities to structuring data-heavy commercial transactions. Her work includes negotiating privacy and IP terms in technology deals, R&D collaborations, and digital asset transfers.

With a practical, business-aligned approach, Sarah helps clients navigate regulatory complexity while protecting data, IP, and reputation.

Areas of FocusTechnology Data, Privacy and Cybersecurity Technology and Commercial Transactions

Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Supreme Court of VictoriaSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

EXPERIENCE

Conducting privacy audits for a number of national and international clients, including a global food and beverage manufacturer and a global consumer goods manufacturer. This involves reviewing privacy and data handling practices, policies and procedures via tailored questionnaires and workshops, and providing proactive recommendations to improve the overall level of compliance.
Advising a wide range of entities with data breach responses and cyber incidents, including advising on the mandatory data breach notification regime and responding to follow up communications with regulators. In one matter, communications with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner continued for over 12 months however the matter resulted in the OAIC closing its file.
Advising a range of national and international clients on compliance with direct marketing and spam laws, including correspondence with the regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, following consumer complaints.
Providing advice on the application of privacy and surveillance laws to COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria, the Victorian Government agency responsible for Victoria's COVID-19 accommodation response.
Assisting Victoria Police in respect of the BlueConnect program, which is responsible for transforming the management of policing information to support 'A vision for Victoria Police in 2025' - The Blue Paper. The program involves a number of separate streams, including mobile technology, intelligence management and case management and the Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting implementation.
Assisting various organisations on the contractual terms for a number of cloud based solutions from suppliers such as AWS, IBM and Salesforce, including consideration of related privacy issues.
Conducting Privacy Impact Assessments for the Victorian Department of Transport, regarding its Situational Awareness Solution for the Victorian road transport network, including consideration of the privacy implications of the use and disclosure of CCTV data, and Court Services Victoria, in respect of its electronic evidence management system.
Assisting a range of international clients establishing business in Australia, including drafting and localising website terms and conditions, warranty policies, disclaimers and refund policies.
Providing advice on various telecommunications laws, including assisting a global telecoms company on the regulatory implications of establishing a 'Voice Over Internet Protocol' service based in Australia.
Assisting one of Australia's largest transport companies in relation to the acquisition and implementation of cash counting and security systems and hardware to support its Cash in Transit business.