Privacy Policy

At Mate Australia Pty Ltd ("Mate Australia"), we recognise the importance of your privacy and understand your concerns about the security of the personal information you provide to us.  We comply with the National Privacy Principles (“NPPs”) as contained in the Privacy Act 1988.  The NPPs detail how personal information is collected, used, stored and destroyed and how an individual may gain access to personal information held about them.

Personal information, as distinct from business information, is information, or an opinion, that identifies an individual, or from which a person’s identity could be ascertained.

This policy details how Mate Australia manages personal information, sets out some of your privacy rights in relation to personal information, and advises how you can contact us with privacy queries. 

Collecting Personal Information about you

In the course of doing business, the collection of personal information is sometimes unavoidable.  However, we aim only to collect personal information that is necessary to supply you with the goods or services that you have contracted or requested us to provide.

The type of personal information collected will depend on the type of request you have made to us, or the particular goods or services you have asked us to provide or may be interested in.  The type of personal information collected may include, but is not limited to, your name, residential details, date of birth, contact numbers, e-mail addresses, drivers licence number, employment history and credit card or banking details. 

We collect personal information in a number of ways, including by telephone, on application forms for goods or services, or when you submit personal details through our website (ie, the registration and ordering processes).

At the time personal information is collected or as soon as practicable thereafter, we will advise you of:
· Our details and how to contact us;
· The purpose for which the information is collected;
· Details of how to access any information held about you;
· The type of organisations to which we may disclose that information; and
· The legal and other consequences of you not providing the information (if any);
unless any of the above is obvious in the circumstances, or detailed on a collection form.

While we endeavour to only collect personal information from the individual involved, in some instances we may also receive personal information about you from third parties.  Where we receive (and retain) or use personal information received from third parties, we will contact you and advise you that we hold this information.

How do we use your personal information?

Mate Australia may use and disclose your personal information if the disclosure is necessary to answer your enquiry or request, to supply you with goods ordered, and to complete the services we provide.  We also use your personal information to verify your identity and to conduct appropriate checks for credit worthiness and fraud.  Within Mate Australia, we use and disclose your personal information for the purposes of performing our administrative tasks and other operations, including accounting, marketing, record keeping, market research and website traffic analysis.

We may also use your personal information for related purposes that you would reasonably expect, such as providing you with periodical newsletters, details about other goods or services offered by us, as well as any promotions or sales relating to our business that may be of interest to you.  Our marketing services are provided by direct mail, telemarketing, email and sms.  You can opt out of receiving this information at any time by notifying us.

In some cases we may disclose your personal information to third parties outside of Mate Australia such as banking institutions (to verify and process your payments), telecommunications service providers (such as SlimTel and Soul) and delivery companies, but only if it is required to answer and follow up your enquiry, to provide you with goods or services, or to complete the transaction you have entered into. 

We may also disclose your personal information where we have sought your consent or as is otherwise allowed by law.

If you do not consent to the provision of your personal information, we may not be able to answer and follow up your enquiry, provide you with goods or services, or complete the transaction you have entered into.

Transfer of Information outside of Australia

We will not send your personal information outside of Australia unless:
· it is to a third party that we use to assist us in providing the goods and services to you;
· It is necessary to complete your transaction;
· You have provided your consent;
· We believed on reasonable grounds that the organisation involved would only deal with your personal information in a similar manner to the requirements under the NPPs; or
· Where otherwise allowed by the Privacy Act.

Storage and Security

At Mate Australia, personal information is stored electronically, on paper, or both.  Mate Australia has physical, electronic and procedural safeguards for personal information and takes reasonable steps to ensure that your information is protected.  Data stored electronically is protected by firewalls, and access to electronic records is limited by security levels and passwords. 

Your personal information is stored within secure premises.  Externally, the premises has secured entry and alarms.  Internally, steps are taken to ensure access to personal information is limited, including filing in a locked cabinet within a secured office.

Please be aware that personal information provided by email may not be secure.  If you have any concerns regarding the security of your personal information when sending emails, please provide the information in an alternate form, such as facsimile.  We may record your email address if you send us email.

Mate Australia uses secure methods to destroy or permanently de-identify your personal information when it is no longer needed.  Mate Australia will retain personal information while it is required for any of its functions, or for any other lawful purpose.

Access & Correction

In most cases, you will be able to gain access to your personal information held by Mate Australia.  We may provide you with this information verbally or in writing, as may be appropriate.  Where we do not agree to provide you with details of personal information we will give you reasons why.  We will take reasonable steps to amend or correct your personal information to keep it accurate and up to date.  Please notify us of any changes to your personal (and business) information.

Privacy Concerns or Complaints

If you have any queries or concerns about your personal information, or would like to make a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer for assistance.  You can contact us at the following address:

  Privacy Officer
  Mate Australia Pty Ltd
  Level 5, Suite 5.04
  365 Little Collins Street
  Melbourne VIC 3000
  Fax: 03 8610 1011
  Email:  privacy (at) mateaustralia.com.au

June 2008