Privacy Policy

Last updated: 1 January 2025

Straughan Consulting Pty Ltd (ABN 89 703 349 080), trading from Melbourne VIC, is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals and organisations who engage with us through our website, https://straughanconsulting.online, and our professional business and consulting services. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

1. Who We Are

Straughan Consulting Pty Ltd provides professional business and consulting services to clients across Australia, including strategy, advisory, compliance and organisational support. Questions about this policy or our privacy practices may be directed to our Privacy Contact:

Privacy Contact: Chief Executive Officer
Email: ceo@straughanconsulting.online

2. The Australian Privacy Principles

The Australian Privacy Principles set out standards, rights and obligations in relation to collecting, holding, using, accessing, correcting and disclosing personal information. The APPs cover:

• Collection and solicitation of personal information (APP 1, APP 3)
• Handling of personal information relating to credit reporting bodies and debt collectors (APP 2)
• Dealing with unsolicited personal information (APP 4)
• Notification of collection and purpose of collection (APP 5)
• Use and disclosure of personal information, including direct marketing (APP 6, APP 7)
• Cross-border disclosure of personal information (APP 8)
• Data quality (APP 10), data security (APP 11) and access and correction rights (APP 12, APP 13)

3. What Personal Information We Collect

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for one or more of our functions or activities. Depending on your interaction with us, this may include:

• Your name, email address, business name and business contact details
• Information you submit through our contact or quote request forms
• Details of the professional services you have enquired about or engaged us to provide
• Correspondence you send to us via email
• Business information you provide to us in the course of an engagement, such as organisational or financial documents reasonably required to deliver our services

We do not knowingly collect sensitive information (such as health information, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions or religious beliefs) unless it is reasonably necessary for our services and we have your consent or the collection is required or authorised by law.

4. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information in a number of ways, including:

• Directly from you when you complete a form on our website, send us an email or speak with us
• When you request a quote or engage us for professional consulting services
• From third parties you nominate, such as referees or authorised representatives of your organisation
• From publicly available sources where reasonably necessary for our activities
• Automatically through our website, such as server logs and analytics data (IP address, browser type, pages visited)

5. Purpose of Collection and Use

We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information for purposes including:

• Responding to enquiries and providing quotes for our services
• Delivering professional business and consulting services to our clients
• Managing our client relationships, engagement records and business administration
• Complying with our legal, taxation and regulatory obligations, including record-keeping under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
• Improving our website and services
• Contacting you about our services where you have requested or consented to such contact

We will not use or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the primary purpose of collection, or a related purpose you would reasonably expect, unless you have consented or an exception under the APPs applies.

6. Direct Marketing

We do not send unsolicited commercial electronic messages. Where we hold your personal information, we will only send you marketing communications if you have consented or you would reasonably expect it in connection with your relationship with us. Every marketing communication will include a simple means of opting out, and you may withdraw consent at any time by emailing ceo@straughanconsulting.online.

7. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose personal information to:

• Service providers who assist us in operating our business, such as website hosting, email and cloud storage providers
• Professional advisers, including our accountants and auditors, where reasonably necessary
• Government bodies, regulators or law enforcement agencies where required or authorised by law

We take reasonable steps to ensure that any third party to whom we disclose personal information handles it in accordance with the APPs or equivalent obligations. We do not disclose personal information to overseas recipients unless reasonably necessary, and where we do, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient does not breach the APPs (APP 8).

8. Data Quality and Security

We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect is accurate, complete, up to date and relevant to the purpose of collection. We also take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These measures include:

• Secure storage systems and password-protected access controls
• Restricting access to personal information to authorised personnel only
• Encrypting data transmitted through our website where practicable
• Securely destroying or de-identifying personal information that we no longer require, unless we are required by law to retain it

9. Access and Correction

Under APP 12 and APP 13, you have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request correction of that information if it is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading. To make a request, please email ceo@straughanconsulting.online. We will respond to your request within a reasonable period. We may decline access in limited circumstances permitted by the APPs, and if so, we will provide you with written reasons and information about how to complain.

10. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality and analyse website usage. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You may set your browser to refuse cookies; however, some parts of our website may not function fully as a result. Analytics data collected through our website is used in aggregated form and is not used to identify you personally.

11. Anonymity and Pseudonymity

Where it is lawful and practicable, you have the option of dealing with us anonymously or using a pseudonym. For example, you may browse our website without providing personal information. However, to provide quotes or deliver professional services, we will generally need to identify you and your organisation.

12. Government Identifiers

We do not adopt, use or disclose government-related identifiers (such as tax file numbers) except where required or authorised by law or where permitted under APP 9.

13. Complaints

If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles or mishandled your personal information, please lodge a complaint by emailing ceo@straughanconsulting.online. Please include details of your complaint so we can investigate. We will:

• Acknowledge receipt of your complaint within a reasonable period
• Investigate the matter thoroughly and fairly
• Respond to you in writing with the outcome and any remedial action taken

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services or legal obligations. The current version will always be published on this page, together with the date of the most recent revision. Continued use of our website or services after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

15. Contact Us

For any questions about this Privacy Policy, requests for access or correction, or complaints about our privacy practices, please contact:

Straughan Consulting Pty Ltd
ABN 89 703 349 080
Melbourne VIC, Australia
Email: ceo@straughanconsulting.online
Website: https://straughanconsulting.online