What is a Privacy Policy?
A Privacy Policy is a document that explains how you will manage the personal information you collect from website visitors and customers. It is recommended all small to medium businesses have a Privacy Policy to protect the business and their users.
Who can use this template?
- Australian websites
- Anyone who collects personal information on their website
- Businesses legally required to comply with the Privacy Act (annual revenue of >$3 million, health service providers etc)
- Businesses who want to inform website visitors of how they collect and manage personal information
Do I need a Privacy Policy for my Australian website?
Yes, if you collect any customer information on your website, you should have a Privacy Policy.
A Privacy Policy shows visitors that your website is trustworthy and it can also improve your site’s Google search ranking.
What does this Privacy Policy template include?
Our Privacy Policy template covers:
- The types of personal information you collect (e.g. name, email, phone number, address)
- How you collect, use and disclose personal information
- The purposes for which you collect personal information (e.g. marketing)
- Rights and control of a person’s personal information
- Security and storage of personal information
- Website cookies and third party sites
- How to make a complaint about a privacy breach
- How you can unsubscribe or opt-out
- Changes to the policy
What is the Privacy Act 1988?
The Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) was introduced into law at a federal level to protect the privacy of individuals in Australia. It also regulates how Australian Government agencies and some other organisations, handle personal information.
The Privacy Act includes 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which apply to some private sector organisations, as well as most Australian Government agencies. These are collectively referred to as ‘APP entities’. The Privacy Act also regulates the privacy component of the consumer credit reporting system, tax file numbers, and health and medical research.
Am I legally required to have one?
Small businesses with an annual turnover of $3 million or more, health service providers, operators of a residential tenancy database (e.g. a real estate agent) and contractors providing services under a Commonwealth contract are legally required to have a Privacy Policy.
To check whether you need to comply, you can complete the privacy checklist for small business found on the OAIC website here.
What are the benefits of having a Privacy Policy?
If you meet any of the conditions listed above, the main benefit of having a Privacy Policy is that you will be obeying the law. Serious fines can apply for breaches of the Privacy Act. Definitely want to avoid that!
Even if you aren’t required by law to have a Privacy Policy, there are still many benefits to having one anyway:
- It shows Google your website is more trustworthy and can improve your site’s search rankings
- It shows your website visitors that you will protect their personal information, giving you more credibility
- It makes your website appear more professional
Where do I pubish my Privacy Policy?
It is common practice for websites to place a link to their privacy policy and website terms of use in the footer of the website.
Once you have completed our Privacy Policy template in Word, you can publish it on your website as a new page and link to it in the footer.
Is this Privacy Policy template legally binding?
Absolutely!
All of our templates have been drafted by qualified Australian lawyers who hold an Australian legal practicing certificate.
We are affiliated with a commercial law firm based in Sydney.
