Introduction
The purpose of this policy is for Pioneers of Australia (PoA) to communicate to the general public how PoA handles personal information including the collection, use, disclosure and protection of such information in compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles. This policy will be included in all documents where PoA requests personal information and will be available on the PoA website. Therefore, this policy is written in a manner to address those reading this policy.
Purpose
Pioneers of Australia (PoA) and its related entities are committed to protecting individuals’ personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth) and other applicable data protection laws as described in this Policy.
Scope
This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected and maintained by PoA and describes how your privacy is respected and protected.
The nature of personal information we collect and retain
PoA collects personal information which enables us to provide a variety of services to you.
Generally, information PoA collects relates to:
- Those interested in joining our organisation including cross-cultural service, employment and voluntary roles
- Financial and prayer partners including representatives of Australian and overseas churches
- Others including organisations in Australia and overseas with whom we partner with or have secondment arrangements
The type of information includes (but is not limited to) name and contact details: communication preferences; personal connections to other organisations; professions or occupations; banking details; tax file number; superannuation details and related information.
Some of the personal information we collect may be sensitive information and may include information about your health and wellbeing, ethnic origins, Christian faith, involvement in Christian service, criminal history, genetic or biometric information and financial details. This information is collected to assist in the application process to serve with PoA, to provide member care, training and administration services.
Collection of personal information
We collect personal information directly from you unless it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so. In those instances, we will endeavour to ensure you are aware of this.
By submitting information to PoA you are consenting to the retention and use of that information by PoA for the purposes for which it is submitted.
We collect this information in a variety of ways:
- Through access and use of our website (with the use of cookies)
- During conversations between you and our team
- When application papers to serve with PoA are completed
- Through response forms by which you become prayer or financial partners or attend events
- Requests for organisational information
- When joining our mailing list
Such purposes include (but are not limited to):
- Assessing suitability for service or employment with PoA
- Keeping you informed about matters you have expressed an interest in, including the work of PoA and the ongoing support of this work
- Processing authorised payments as directed by you
- Complying with any legislation, law and regulatory requirements
Disclosure of personal information
An individual’s personal information may be disclosed to others where required for PoA to undertake its work and/or to comply with Australian law. Such disclosure will either be in accordance with the consent given by the individual when the information was collected as in this policy or as might be reasonably anticipated in the circumstances in which the personal information is provided to us. If PoA is unsure, it will seek consent before disclosing the information.
PoA from time to time needs to share information with other Pioneers entities, as part of working within the Pioneers International organisation. PoA may disclose personal information to third party service providers, agents, contractors or those organisations with whom we have agreements or memorandum of understandings. Such parties may be overseas. Where information is so provided, PoA will take reasonable steps to ensure those parties provide suitable protection of the personal information provided to them.
We will provide this information only with your consent, unless one of the other purposes of disclosure listed above applies.
We will not disclose personal information to another entity for the purposes of that entity soliciting charitable donations or for the purposes of that entity selling any goods or services to you.
Protection of personal information
We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we collect and retain from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, alteration and/or disclosure.
Steps include physical measures, computer security measures, training of personnel, confidentiality agreements and access restrictions.
Our donor database is protected by secure user IDs and passwords, to help protect it from misuse, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
The PoA website is enabled for online transactions using a secure payment gateway. Donations are processed in Australia, including donations from all other countries, in Australian Dollars. Secure pages on our website are protected by a 128-bit encryption, using SSL technology.
However, despite the security on the site, you should be aware that there are inherent risks in transferring information across the Internet and we cannot accept liability for any breaches.
PoA takes reasonable steps to ensure that personal information sent to an overseas recipient is handled in a manner which does not breach Australian Privacy Principles.
Access to and update of personal information
PoA takes reasonable steps to ensure the personal information it retains is accurate, complete and up to date. We rely on individuals to advise of any changes to their personal information in a timely manner.
You may request to access and to correct your personal information held by PoA at any time by contacting us. All reasonable requests will be responded to as quickly as possible.
There may be instances where we cannot grant access to the personal information if granting access would interfere with the privacy of others, or if it would result in a breach of confidentiality. In addition, disclosure of sensitive information may inhibit the decision-making processes or operational activities of PoA. If that happens, we will advise you as soon as practicable.
Under certain circumstances, you can ask for your personal information to be deleted (the ‘Right to be Forgotten’). This would apply if your personal information is no longer required by PoA for the purposes it was collected for, or your consent for the processing of that data has been withdrawn from PoA.
PoA will take reasonable steps in a reasonable time, to comply with such a request, subject to suitable exceptions.
PoA will ensure that appropriate processes are in place for personal information that is no longer required to fulfil the identified purposes will be destroyed, erased, or made anonymous.
Privacy complaints
Complaints or feedback to PoA in relation to its compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles and/or this policy should be directed to the PoA Privacy Officer using the contact details below.
PoA will investigate and seek to resolve your concern or complaint in a timely manner.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may contact the Chair of the PoA Board for the matter to be reviewed.
All requests will be treated confidentially.
Contact Details
Please use the contact link on our website or contact our Privacy Officer using the details set out below.
Privacy Officer
Post: PO Box 151 Forest Hill VIC 3131 Australia.
Email: privacy@pioneers.org.au