Privacy Policy

Overview

St George Community Housing and its subsidiaries (we, our and us) respect the privacy of customers and are committed to meeting all obligations under relevant privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This policy outlines how we handle personal information and meet our legal duties.

Scope

This policy applies to all personal information collected, received, used, disclosed and held by us.

Definitions

Personal Information

Personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable whether the information or opinion is true or not and whether the information or opinion is recorded in material form or not.

Typical examples of personal information include a person’s name, address, telephone number, bank account details or credit card information.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is a subset of personal information that is afforded higher levels of protection under the Privacy Act. It includes information or opinion about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinion, membership of a political association, professional or trade association or trade union, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, criminal record or health information.

Types of information we hold

In order to provide services to our customers, we often need to collect personal information. We might hold personal and sensitive information about a person including their name, postal, residential and email address, gender, date of birth, nationality, language/s spoken, education and qualifications, bank account details, proof of identity, photographs, health or medical information and emergency contact details.

Collection of personal information

We might collect personal information and sensitive information when it is reasonably necessary for one or more of our functions or activities related to the delivery of our functions, such as:

  • Communicating with customers about our products/services

  • Processing applications for housing

  • Managing tenancies

  • Service improvement

  • Service delivery reporting

  • In the course of providing our services and responding to inquiries from government departments in connection with the services we provide

We might collect personal and/or sensitive information from a person when they:

  • Fill out a form

  • Call or video conference us

  • Email us

  • Visit our website

  • Visit our office/s

  • Use an IT device we provide

Where possible, we will collect personal information about a person from the person. However, there may be times we receive information about a person from third parties or publicly available sources or through other agencies that we deal with.

If we receive unsolicited personal information, we will determine if we could have collected the information under privacy laws. If not, we will destroy or de-identify the information.

Where practicable and legal, we will let people remain anonymous or use a pseudonym. However, we usually need your name and contact information to be able to respond to questions and requests.

Use and disclosure

We will only use or disclose personal information for the purpose we collected it for (the primary purpose), or for a related purpose (or a directly related purpose for sensitive information), unless:

  • The person has given us permission to use or disclose it for another purpose

  • The person would reasonably expect us to use or disclose the information for another purpose

  • Required or permitted under Australian law or by a court or tribunal order

  • Necessary for enforcement related activities

  • Needed to reduce or prevent a serious threat to life, health or safety

  • For any other legal purpose

We might collect, use, or disclose government related identifiers, such as a driver’s licence or Centrelink Reference Number, in accordance with APP 9.

Storage and protection of personal information

We store personal information in both hard copy and electronic form. We take reasonable steps to ensure personal information is secure from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access.

As a general rule, we will not disclose personal information to recipients outside Australia. However, some personal information may be stored overseas using cloud computing services.

If information is no longer needed, we will destroy or de-identify it unless legally required to keep it.

Access to and correction of personal information

We will take reasonable steps to ensure information is accurate, up to date, complete and relevant.

Individuals may request access to or correction of their information by contacting us. We will respond within a reasonable time.

If we refuse access or correction, we will provide written reasons and explain complaint options.

Privacy and our website

  • We use Google Analytics to improve our website (data may be hosted overseas).

  • We may use cookies to capture browsing preferences.

  • We use YouTube for embedded videos (hosted overseas).

  • We are not responsible for third party websites or platforms.

Applications and feedback

We use Jotform (hosted overseas) and Gravity Forms (hosted in Australia) to collect information from people applying for services, reporting maintenance or providing feedback.

Social media

We use social media platforms to communicate with people. Platforms may collect personal information for their own purposes.

Direct marketing

We may use personal information for marketing purposes (e.g. mailing lists, event registrations). We use Campaign Monitor, which stores data in the US, Australia and Germany.

Individuals can opt out by contacting us or using unsubscribe links.

Recruitment

We handle applicant information in line with APPs. Information may be disclosed to related bodies corporate and service providers for HR purposes.

Data breaches

We comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme.
If an eligible data breach occurs, we will notify the Commissioner and affected individuals as required.

Resolving privacy issues and further information

Issues, concerns or complaints about privacy should be directed to our Privacy Officer.

Contacting our Privacy Officer

Phone: 1800 573 370
Email: privacyofficer@sgch.com.au
Mail: Privacy Officer, PO Box 348, Hurstville BC 1481

Relevant legislation/legislative instruments

  • Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

  • Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW)

Policy information

Version: 12
Approved: November 2022
Reviewed: November 2022
Review frequency: 24 months
Responsible team/position: Privacy Officer