Privacy Charter
Privacy and You
In this Privacy Charter "we", "our", and "us"
refer to the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Incorporated
and each of its related entities. We offer general membership,
radio Associate membership, public instruction courses, search and rescue
services, marine radio safety coverage services and marine educational
products in various states in Australia.
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and its constituent entities may
each maintain additional rules and practices, which are fully consistent
with this Privacy Charter. This Privacy Charter is current as at the date
indicated in the footer.
Our commitment to privacy and responsible use of your personal information
We are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information
and to handling your personal information in a responsible manner in accordance
with the Privacy Act. This Privacy Charter explains how we collect, use
and disclose your personal information.
The National Privacy Principles
The Federal Government's Privacy Act outlines the National Privacy Principles,
which set the minimum standards for how private sector organisations should
handle your personal information. We are committed to complying with the
National Privacy Principles.
Collection of your personal information
We collect your personal information in various ways, such as over the
phone, in one of our offices or bases, over the Internet if you transact
with us online, or when you fill out an application form for membership,
radio associate membership, one of our accredited training courses or
any other services that we offer or promote.
The personal information collected and stored by us about you generally
includes your name, address, date of birth, gender, and contact details,
including phone, fax and email as provided by you to us. When you apply
for a specific service, we may also collect information from you related
to that service.
Irrespective of the source of the information, we respect and protect
the privacy of personal information.
Sensitive Information
If we collect sensitive information about you, we do so in accordance
with the National Privacy Principles. If you apply for certain services,
we may need to collect such sensitive information depending on the service
or enquiry, for e.g. details relating to your state of health or capacity
to perform certain tasks.
How we collect the information
Where practicable, we will give you the option of interacting with us
anonymously.
Whenever possible, we collect your personal information directly
from you. However, there maybe occasions when we need to collect
personal information about you from someone else, for example, your doctor.
We may also collect information about someone else from you.
This may happen where you apply for a service in joint names or where
you want the benefit of that product or service to also apply to someone
else, such as a child or partner.
If you provide information to us about another person, then you are responsible
for telling the other person that you have provided information about
them to us. You should tell them who we are, that they may access their
personal information, and you may also wish to refer them to this Privacy
Charter.
We may also obtain general information about you from other persons
if, for example, we need to confirm your previous prior qualifications
for Recognising Prior Learning features of our training programs.
How we use your information
We will use your personal information in accordance with the National
Privacy Principles, for the purposes for which it is collected, to provide
you with services, and (subject to your consent) for marketing purposes.
For example, if you apply for membership with us, we will collect and
use your personal information to:
- Assess your application
- Process payments of membership dues
- Administer the system
- Contact you as necessary on issues relating to your membership or
our services.
We also need to collect, use and store your personal information so
that we can answer any questions you may have regarding any course information
and services.
Sharing and disclosure of your information
We will not disclose information about you to a company, which is not
a constituent entity unless the disclosure is required or authorised by
law, or you have consented to our disclosing the information about you.
On occasions, we may need to disclose your personal information to provide
a product or service to you. For example, if you apply for a Marine Radio
Operator's Certificate of Proficiency Examination, we need to disclose
your information to the Australian Communications Authority
We may also need to disclose your information to other Search And Rescue
agencies. At all times, we will respect and protect the privacy and confidentiality
of personal information.
Receiving marketing material from us
It is our aim to provide our members, supporters and customers with access
to a range of leading educational courses and services offered by us and
other organisations whose products and services we may promote.
To do this, we use the information you provide to us for market research
so we can better understand your needs. We then provide you with information
on products and services that we believe will be of interest to you.
We may share your personal information, on a confidential basis, to our
constituent entities so that they can also offer you products and services.
If we promote products or services from other organisations, we will not
disclose your personal information to them.
Your choice to receive marketing material
We provide you with a choice to opt out of our marketing activities,
and will respect your request not to receive marketing material from us.
If you do not wish to receive marketing material from us, we ask you to
let us know.
You should inform us if you do not want your personal information to be
used and disclosed for marketing purposes.
Please note that it may take up to 60 days to fully implement your request
not to receive marketing or promotional materials. We apologise if you
do receive any materials during this period.
Details on how to contact us are provided at the end of this policy document.
Other companies who provide services to us
We may disclose information about you to outside contractors, such as
a mailing house, to carry out activities on our behalf. We impose security
and confidentiality requirements on how they handle your personal information.
Outside contractors are required not to use information about you for
any purpose except for those activities we have asked them to perform.
Credit information
It is most unlikely that we would obtain credit information about you.
Should this occur it would be done in accordance with the Privacy Act
and Credit Reporting Code of Conduct. We will only do so with your consent.
Security of your personal information
Personal information that we hold on our electronic systems is protected
through the use of secure passwords and other security procedures. Access
to personal information is limited to those who specifically need it to
conduct their business responsibilities.
We also maintain physical security procedures to manage and protect the
use and storage of paper records containing personal information.
Our staff are responsible for handling personal information in accordance
with the Privacy Act. We educate our staff about the requirements of the
National Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act.
We will keep your information so that we can continue to provide the products
and services you have requested from us. We will take reasonable steps
to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information when we no
longer need it.
Accuracy of your personal information
We will take reasonable steps to ensure that the information we hold
about you is accurate, complete and up-to-date.
If you believe that the information we have about you is not accurate,
complete or up-to-date, we ask you to let us know.
Access to your personal information
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.
So that we can respond quickly and efficiently to your request, we ask
you to complete an Access Request Form. Please contact us if you would
like more information on how to request access to this information. If
we are unable to meet your request for access, we will let you know why.
Details on how to contact us are provided at the end of this policy document.
If you have a complaint
If you have a complaint about the privacy of your personal information,
we ask that you write to us. We will promptly acknowledge and investigate
complaints. Details on how to contact us are provided at the end of this
policy document.
Further information
If you would like further information regarding this Privacy Charter,
or the management of your personal information, you can call or write
to us, or email us via the Enquiry Form on our website.
Details on how to contact us are provided at the end of this policy document.
How To Contact Us
Staff in your local Flotilla office can handle many enquiries regarding
the management of your personal information.
If you have a complaint, you can contact us using the following address
or telephone numbers:
Qld State Manager
P.O. Box 1008
Brighton 4017.
Ph (07) 3247 8874
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