Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2025

This Privacy Policy describes how East Melbourne Group (“we”, “our”, “us”) collects, uses, discloses, stores, and protects personal information. It applies to all personal information we collect through our website, membership processes, programs, and services.

We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in that Act. This policy explains how we comply with those obligations.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities. The types of personal information we may collect include:

• Name, address, phone number, and email address
• Date of birth (where required for program eligibility)
• Membership category and payment history
• Records of participation in our programs, events, and services
• Correspondence and feedback you provide to us
• Information you provide when contacting us via our website or by phone

We collect personal information directly from you wherever possible. In some cases, we may collect information from third parties, such as government agencies, partner organisations, or referral services, where you have consented or where it is permitted by law.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information for the following primary purposes:

• To process and manage your membership
• To deliver and administer our programs and services
• To send you our newsletter and other communications (where you have consented)
• To respond to your enquiries and provide support
• To process donations and issue receipts
• To improve our website, programs, and services
• To meet our legal and regulatory obligations

We will not use your personal information for purposes unrelated to the above without first seeking your consent, unless required or permitted by law.

3. Disclosure of Personal Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may disclose personal information to:

• Service providers who assist us in delivering programs and operating our website (such as payment processors and email marketing platforms), who are contractually required to maintain confidentiality
• Government agencies or regulators where required by law
• Partner organisations, with your consent, for purposes directly related to our services

We take reasonable steps to ensure that any third parties to whom we disclose personal information comply with the Australian Privacy Principles.

4. Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Our security measures include secure password-protected systems, restricted access to personal information, and regular review of our data handling practices.

If we no longer require personal information for any purpose, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it, unless we are required by law to retain it.

5. Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, and to ask us to correct that information if it is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading. To make such a request, please contact us using the details below. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

In some circumstances, we may be unable to provide access — for example, where providing access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, or where the information is subject to legal professional privilege. If we decline your request, we will explain the reasons in writing.

6. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and analytics tools to improve your browsing experience and help us understand how the site is used. Cookies do not collect personal information directly, but they may be associated with information you provide. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect the functionality of some parts of the website.

7. Contact Us About Privacy

If you have a question or concern about how we handle your personal information, or wish to make a privacy complaint, please contact us:

East Melbourne Group
152 Powlett Street, Melbourne VIC 3002
Phone: 03 9415 7570
Fax: 03 9415 7570

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