1. Overview
CommunitiesThrive Pty Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and all other relevant laws.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your personal information, including when you participate in our civic engagement activities and online surveys, or visit our website www.communitiesthrive.com.au.
2. What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
- Contact details: such as your name, email address, phone number, and postcode or suburb.
- Demographic information: such as age (including if you are 16 or older), gender, and other relevant attributes.
- Survey responses: your opinions, feedback, and any other information you choose to provide when participating in our surveys or engagement activities.
- Usage information: details about your interactions with our website and services, including IP address, device information, and cookies (see Section 8).
- Sensitive information: only with your explicit consent, such as information about your ethnicity, health, or other protected attributes, where necessary for inclusion and research purposes.
3. How We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information:
- Directly from you, when you fill in our online surveys, forms, or register on our website.
- Indirectly, through your use of our website or digital services (e.g., via cookies or analytics tools).
- From third parties, where permitted by law (e.g., with your consent, or as required for specific engagement projects).
4. Why We Collect, Hold, and Use Your Information
We collect, hold, and use your personal information to:
- Provide, manage, and improve our civic engagement and online survey services.
- Analyse engagement and survey data for research, reporting, and service improvement purposes.
- Ensure inclusion and representation in our projects.
- Communicate with you about our activities, projects, or relevant updates (you can opt out at any time).
- Comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.
5. Disclosure of Personal Information
We may disclose your personal information:
- To our trusted service providers (e.g., survey platforms, data analytics providers) who help us deliver our services and are bound by confidentiality and privacy obligations.
- To project partners or clients (such as councils or government agencies), but only in de-identified or aggregated form unless you have given explicit consent for identifiable disclosure.
- As required by law, regulation, or court order.
- With your consent, for other purposes.
We will never sell your personal information.
6. Overseas Disclosure
Your personal information is stored on secure servers located in Australia. In some cases, we may use trusted cloud service providers located overseas (such as the UK), but only where appropriate data protection and contractual safeguards are in place, consistent with Australian law.
7. Children and Young People
We collect information from participants aged 16 and over. If you are under 16, please do not submit personal information without parental or guardian consent. We take special care to ensure the privacy of young participants.
8. Website Cookies and Analytics
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to collect usage information and improve user experience. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. We use Google Analytics and other tools for website analytics; these services may process anonymised information overseas.
9. Data Security and Storage
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. This includes physical, electronic, and managerial safeguards such as secure servers, encryption, access controls, and staff training.
Personal information is retained only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined above or as required by law.
10. Access, Correction, and Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Request corrections if your information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.
- Withdraw your consent (where applicable) or opt out of communications.
To make a request, please contact us (see Section 12).
11. Complaints
If you have a complaint about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first. We will respond promptly and aim to resolve your concern. If you are not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
www.oaic.gov.au
12. Contact Us
For privacy enquiries, access or correction requests, or complaints, please contact:
Privacy Officer
CommunitiesThrive Pty Ltd
Level 2, 66 King Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Email: chris@communitiesthrive.com.au
Phone: (+61) 0416 001 982
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website. We encourage you to review this page regularly.