Petersen Westbrook Cameron Privacy Policy
Overview
This policy has been developed by Petersen Westbrook Cameron (PWC) in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, including the Australian Privacy Principles. The Privacy Policy applies to the collection, storage, use, disclosure and distribution of your personal information provided to us by any means.
Scope
This policy applies to clients who have engaged PWC to act on their behalf. It covers all information we collect, including information provided by third parties on your behalf. It also applies to users of our website.
Policy Statement
Collection and use of your personal information
PWC collects and holds personal information for the purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to you as our client, and for marketing purposes.
PWC also holds information about you if you have applied to work with us or are engaged by us on a commercial basis.
Personal information includes information about your identity and your matter. It may include, but is not limited to your name, your contact details, your date of birth, your bank account details, including debit or credit card details, your tax file number, Medicare number, and other forms of identification, your employment history, details of associated entities, and details of assets and liabilities.
Where appropriate we will explain why we are collecting the information and how it helps us to service your matter.
The Privacy Act outlines “sensitive” information. Sensitive information includes personal attributes such as racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious beliefs or affiliations, philosophical beliefs, membership of a professional or trade association, membership of a trade union, sexual orientation or practice, criminal record, health information, genetic information, biometric information, and biometric templates.
PWC will not collect sensitive information about you unless it is relevant and necessary for the purpose of representing you. Where PWC collects sensitive information about you, it will not be disclosed unless it is required or authorised by law, or if you provide permission for its use when representing you in your matter, including disclosure to third parties.
Storage and protection of your information
PWC takes reasonable steps to protect the security of your personal and/or sensitive information. Your information will be stored in electronic form and may be stored in paper form.
Electronic files will be protected through multi-factor authentication, firewalls, and passwords. Paper files will be stored within our office environment.
While we cannot fully guarantee the security of our files, we have implemented appropriate security measures across the business to protect access to those files.
It is a requirement for us to maintain your file for a minimum of seven years after your matter has concluded. PWC has engaged a third-party archive facility to store and protect files until they are assessed as eligible for destruction.
Accuracy of your information
PWC will take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information it holds is accurate, complete and up to date. If you believe PWC holds inaccurate personal information about you, please contact PWC at info@petersenwestbrook.com.au and PWC will take reasonable steps to correct it.
Access to your information
If you request access to the personal information PWC holds about you, PWC will respond to your request within a reasonable period of time and, where reasonable and practicable, give access to the information in the manner you request. You may request this information by emailing info@petersenwestbrook.com.au.
Website
When you visit PWC’s website we may record information such as IP address, time and date, pages accessed, and documents downloaded. PWC may use “cookies” which may collect and store information about you.
Complaint
If you have a complaint regarding our use, collection or storage of your personal information, please contact PWC at info@petersenwestbrook.com.au. We will respond to your complaint within 30 days of receipt. If you are not satisfied with our response or do not respond within the 30 day timeframe you can make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, who can be contacted at www.oaic.gov.au or at the Enquiries Line on 1300 363 992.
Your consent
By providing PWC with your personal information, you consent to the collection, storage, use and dissemination of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and the Privacy Act.
Variation and consent to variation
PWC may vary the terms of this Privacy Policy at any time. You should check this Privacy Policy regularly so that you are aware of any variations made to this Privacy Policy. You will be deemed to have consented to such variations by your continued engagement by PWC after such changes have been made.