Who we are
Our website address is: https://www.dickensrealestate.com.au/
This Privacy Statement explains how Dickens Real Estate collects, uses, stores, discloses and protects personal information when you visit our website, contact us, use our services, or otherwise interact with us.
We are based in Victoria, Australia. We are committed to protecting privacy and handling personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles and, the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) where applicable, and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) where health information is collected or handled.
What personal data we collect and why we collect it
The types of personal information we may collect depend on how you interact with us. This may include your name, contact details, enquiry details, property or service-related information, payment or billing information, communication records, website usage information, and any other information you choose to provide to us.
We may also collect sensitive information, such as health information or other sensitive details, only where it is reasonably necessary for our functions or activities and where permitted by law, including where we have your consent or another lawful basis applies.u are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
We collect personal information directly from you where possible, including when you complete an online form, make an enquiry, subscribe to updates, request services, communicate with us by phone, email or in person, or provide information through our website.
We may also collect information from third parties where permitted by law, such as service providers, publicly available sources, referees, professional advisers, government agencies, contractors, agents, or other parties involved in providing or receiving services.
We collect, use and disclose personal information for purposes connected with our business and services, including to respond to enquiries, provide services, manage client or customer relationships, process transactions, maintain records, improve our website and services, comply with legal obligations, manage complaints or disputes, protect our lawful interests and communicate with you about services, updates or relevant information.
We will only use or disclose personal information for the purpose for which it was collected, for a related purpose you would reasonably expect, where you have consented, or where otherwise required or permitted by law.
Direct marketing
We may use your contact details to send you information about our services, updates or other content that may be relevant to you. You may opt out of receiving direct marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe function where available or by contacting us directly.
Cookies, analytics, and website data
Our website may use cookies, analytics tools, and similar technologies to improve functionality, understand website traffic, and enhance user experience. This may include information such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, time spent on the website and referring website details.
You can adjust your browser settings to refuse or delete cookies; however, some parts of our website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
Disclosure to third parties
We may disclose personal information to third parties where reasonably necessary for our business or services, including contractors, suppliers, technology and website providers, payment processors, professional advisers, insurers, regulatory bodies, government agencies, dispute resolution bodies, and other parties where required or authorised by law.
Where we disclose information to service providers, we take reasonable steps to ensure they handle personal information consistently with applicable privacy obligations.
Overseas disclosure
Some of our service providers or technology platforms may store or process information outside Australia. Where personal information is disclosed overseas, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient protects the information in accordance with applicable Australian privacy requirements, unless an exception applies under law.
How we protect personal information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These steps may include secure systems, access controls, password protection, staff training, confidentiality procedures, secure document storage, and regular review of our privacy practices.
When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it, unless we are required or permitted by law to retain it.
Accessing and correcting your personal information
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading. We may need to verify your identity before responding to your request.
We will respond to access and correction requests within a reasonable time. In some circumstances, we may refuse access or correction where permitted by law. If we refuse a request, we will provide reasons where required.
Privacy complaints
If you have a concern or complaint about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us using the details below. We will acknowledge your complaint and aim to respond within a reasonable time after reviewing the matter.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may be able to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner or another relevant regulator or dispute resolution body.
Notifiable data breaches
If we become aware of a data breach involving personal information, we will assess the incident and take appropriate steps to contain the breach, reduce any potential harm, and comply with our legal obligations.
Where a breach is likely to result in serious harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner where required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.
Anonymity and pseudonymity
Where lawful and practicable, you may choose to interact with us anonymously or by using a pseudonym. However, in many situations we may need to identify you in order to provide services, respond to enquiries, comply with legal obligations, or properly manage our business relationship with you.
Changes to this Privacy Statement
We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes to our practices, legal requirements, or business operations. The updated version will be published on our website or otherwise made available, and the date of the latest update will be shown at the beginning of this statement.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Statement, wish to access or correct your personal information, or would like to make a privacy complaint, please contact Dickens Real Estate using the contact details available on our website or by contacting our office directly.