At Howardco, we’re committed to delivering top-notch services while respecting your privacy. This policy outlines how we handle your Personal Information.  

 

We strictly follow the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) as per the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern how we collect, use, disclose, store, secure, and dispose of your Personal Information. 

 

You can find a copy of the Australian Privacy Principles on the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/. 

 

What is Personal Information and Why We Collect It? 

 

Personal Information refers to details or opinions that identify an individual. This includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and more.  

 

We gather this information through various means such as interviews, emails, and our website. For example, you might provide your name and email address on our website www.howardco.com.au when replying, subscribing to our newsletter, or filling out a contact form.  

We may also collect data from cookies and third-party sources, though we can’t guarantee third-party policies. 

We collect your Personal Information primarily to deliver our services and for marketing purposes. At times, we may use it for closely related secondary purposes, which you’d reasonably expect, including: 

• Sending administrative communications (e.g., confirmation emails, policy updates); 
• Responding to your enquiries; 
• Providing user or client support; 
• Measuring our marketing efforts; 
• Safeguarding us and our users against unauthorised or illegal activity. 

Rest assured that you can opt out of our mailing or marketing lists anytime by contacting us in writing. 

Additionally, whenever we gather Personal Information, we’ll do our best to explain why we’re collecting it and how we intend to use it. 

 

Sensitive Information 

 

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include data or opinions about such things as:   

• Ethnic background 
• Political views 
• Religious beliefs 
• Membership in organisations 
• Criminal history 
• Health data 

Sensitive information will be used by us only: 

• For the primary purpose for which it was obtained 
• For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose 
• With your consent; or where required or authorised by law. 

 

Third Parties 

 

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances, we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party. 

 

Disclosure of Personal Information 

 

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following: 

• Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and 
• Where required or authorised by law. 

 

Security of Personal Information 

 

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. 

Once your Personal Information is no longer needed for its original purpose, we’ll either destroy it or remove any identifying details. However, we may keep most Personal Information in client files for at least 7 years. 

 

Access to your Personal Information 

 

You can access, update, or correct your Personal Information we have, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing by emailing us at privacy@howardco.com.au. 

Howardco will not charge any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information. 

To safeguard your information, we may ask for your identification before giving you the requested data. 

 

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information 

 

It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you. 

 

Policy Updates 

 

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website. 

 

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries 

 

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at: 

1 Eddys Grv, Bentleigh, Victoria 3204, AU 

privacy@howardco.com.au 

0417 594 760