Privacy Act

Our business is bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (the Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APP). 

We collect and hold personal information relating to our members and to other people and entities associated with our members as may be provided or disclosed to us in the course of business. Such personal information may include, but is not limited to, names, addresses, telephone numbers, social media details, email addresses and bank account details. 

Personal information is collected from our members in the following ways: 

• by providing it to us directly; 

• by authorising third parties to provide it to us; 

• by other parties providing it to us either voluntarily or pursuant to compulsory processes we conduct on our client’s behalf. 

How is personal information received and held? 

Personal information may be received and held either as a hard copy, paper, or a soft copy being electronic data, in any available form. In either case, we take the security of personal information very seriously. We use cyber-security systems to protect soft copy documents. 

For what purpose is personal information collected, held, used and disclosed? 

All data is processed by the business on a lawful basis. The purposes for which we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information are: 

• to offer our products and services to our members. In doing so we may disclose personal information to other people or entities involved in the provision of the product or service, such as government departments and individuals. Unless compelled by law, we will never disclose personal information without the client’s knowledge and consent; 

• to facilitate our internal and external administrative processes including financial and business operations and reporting requirements; 

• to obtain, maintain and comply with the terms of our professional indemnity and other insurance policies; and 

• to comply with applicable laws. 

How can personal information be accessed or corrected? 

Members may access their personal information and seek correction of it at any time by applying to us in person or in writing. 

Members will be formally identified before releasing or amending any personal information. 

What is the complaints process relating to personal information? 

If there is a breach of this privacy policy, either of the Act or the Australian Privacy Principles (APP), a complaint may be made by the member to our office or to the Office of the Australian Privacy Commissioner. 

Data breaches 

Our staff are responsible for protecting the confidentiality of client information and business information. Refer any data breaches, or suspected data breaches, to our office as soon as possible.