Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Bushfire Consulting Services Pty Ltd (BFCS) is committed to protecting your privacy.
We comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) when collecting, using, storing, and disclosing personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we manage your personal information, your rights, and how you can contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

This Policy has been prepared having regard to:

  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
  • Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
  • Spam Act 2003 (Cth)
  • Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
  • Australian Consumer Law
  • Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth)
  • Electronic Transactions Act 2000 (NSW)

2. Collection of Personal Information

We collect personal information that is necessary to:

  • Provide our services to you

  • Communicate with you

  • Administer your accounts

  • Comply with our legal obligations and

  • Improve our services.

The types of personal information we may collect include:

  • Your name

  • Contact details (address, phone number, email address)

  • Project details and property information

  • Account or payment information (if applicable)

  • Any other information you provide to us during our work together

We collect this information directly from you through forms, correspondence, telephone calls, meetings, and from publicly available sources if relevant.

3. Use of Personal Information

We use your personal information to:

  • Deliver services such as Bushfire Assessment Reports and BAL Certificates

  • Manage our business operations

  • Communicate updates, confirmations, and service information

  • Send you relevant information about our activities, services, and regulatory updates, and

  • Comply with legal requirements and obligations.

BFCS will not use personal information for unrelated purposes without consent unless authorised or required by law.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We only disclose your personal information:

  • To trusted third parties who assist us in delivering our services (such as certifiers or contractors)

  • When required by law or regulatory authorities, or

  • With your consent.

We take reasonable steps to ensure that any third parties comply with the same level of privacy protection.

Overseas disclosure:

BFCS endeavours to store information within Australia.

However, some software providers may use cloud infrastructure located outside Australia.

Examples may include providers of:

  • Microsoft 365;
  • cloud backup services;
  • accounting software;
  • email hosting;
  • cybersecurity platforms.

Where overseas disclosure occurs, BFCS takes reasonable steps to ensure information is handled consistently with Australian privacy requirements.

5. Storage and Security of Personal Information

We take all reasonable steps to ensure the security of your personal information.
Measures include:

  • Secure physical and electronic storage

  • Restricted access to information

  • Protection from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

While we work hard to protect your information, please note that no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed as completely secure.

6. Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

Individuals may request access to personal information held by BFCS.

Requests should be made in writing.

BFCS will respond within a reasonable period.

Access may be refused where permitted by law, including where:

  • disclosure would unreasonably affect another person’s privacy;
  • legal professional privilege applies;
  • the information relates to existing or anticipated legal proceedings;
  • disclosure would prejudice law enforcement activities;
  • another exception under the Privacy Act applies.

Where access is refused, BFCS will provide reasons unless prohibited by law.

7. Complaints About Privacy

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information or believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact us.
We take privacy complaints seriously and will investigate any complaint promptly.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

8. Eligible Data Breaches

Where BFCS becomes aware of a suspected data breach, it will promptly:

  • contain the incident where practicable;
  • assess the nature and extent of the breach;
  • determine whether the incident constitutes an eligible data breach under the Privacy Act;
  • notify affected individuals where required;
  • notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner where required;
  • implement corrective measures to reduce future risk.

BFCS maintains internal procedures for responding to data security incidents.

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal or operational requirements.
The latest version will always be available on our website.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the way we handle your personal information, please contact:

Bushfire Consulting Services Pty Ltd
Phone: 0425 833 893 or 02 4744 5800
Email: [Use the Contact Us form on our website]