Privacy

Information Privacy Statement

The ACT Government values your privacy and is firmly committed to protecting the personal information it collects.

We do not collect, use or disclose personal information other than the information you choose to provide.

We adhere to the Information Privacy Act 2014 and its principles and associated policies.

Scope

This statement applies to the Homes and Housing website.

This website is a joint initiative of the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and the Community Services Directorate.

Information collected

When you access this website to read or download information, the following information is automatically recorded in log files:

Your Internet Protocol (IP) address. The IP address is a unique numerical identifier used by computers and other devices to identify and communicate with each other over a network. Your IP address is used to direct you to web pages where this is required.
Top level domain name (e.g: .com, .net, .gov, .au, etc.)
The type of browser and operating system you used
Date and time of your visit
The previous site visited
Which pages are accessed
The time spent on individual pages and the site overall
Which files were downloaded
What keywords you used to search the site

This information may be used to improve this website and to help us to understand how people are using it. The log files do not collect or store personally identifiable information.

Cookies

We use a range of tools provided by third parties, such as Google Analytics, to collect or view website traffic information. These tools use cookies and JavaScript code to enable analysis of website traffic.

Cookies are small pieces of information that are stored by the browser on your computer's hard drive. The data collected about your use of this website is transmitted to and stored on third party servers. The reports provided by the third parties contain only aggregate non-personal data about your use of this website. These third parties may transfer this data to third parties where required to do so by law, or where third parties process this data on their behalf.

These reports may contain data relating to pages viewed, files downloaded or the completion of online forms or subscriptions. We use the information to maintain and improve this website and to enhance your experience when using it.

You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser. Please note that if you do this, you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website you consent to the processing of data about you in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

Third Party Providers

We may use the third party services listed below to manage electronic newsletter subscription services.

In distributing newsletters via these third party services, they will collect personal information from you, including the email address you provide for the purpose of receiving electronic newsletters, and in some cases your name and other identifiable information. These services also use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect information about:

when you access electronic newsletters sent through these services
your browser type and version
your operating system and other similar information
your IP address and its geolocation
clicks on email links and whether the email is forwarded

These third party services use the information collected from you for the purpose of providing the online service which enables us to create, send and manage electronic newsletters, and to measure the performance of our email campaigns.

These services may transfer this information to their contractors or other third parties who process the information on their behalf, or where otherwise required to do so by law.

You may refuse the use of these third party services by choosing not to subscribe to newsletters delivered via these services. If you choose not to subscribe, you will not receive newsletters delivered via these services. Content delivered via these services will be made available on the relevant ACT Government website. By using these services, you consent to the processing of data about you in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is based in the United States of America (USA) as part of Intuit Global and is subject to the laws of the USA. Your information (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Intuit Global on servers located outside Australia.

You can unsubscribe from any Mailchimp electronic newsletter at any time by selecting the 'unsubscribe’ option in every email sent to you by Mailchimp.

For more information about how Mailchimp manages your information please refer to Mailchimp's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and the Intuit Global Privacy Statement.

Campaign Monitor

Campaign Monitor is based in the United States of America (USA) and is subject to the laws of the USA. Your information (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Campaign Monitor on servers located outside Australia and may be shared with third parties.

You can unsubscribe from any Campaign Monitor electronic newsletter at any time by selecting the 'unsubscribe' option in every email sent to you by Campaign Monitor.

For more information about how Campaign Monitor manages your information please refer to Campaign Monitor's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Social media

We use some digital platforms to communicate with members of the public about our Directorates and our activities in the community. Some digital platforms may handle your personal information collected in accordance with their own privacy policies, e.g. Facebook, Instagram or the privacy policies of their head company, such as Meta for Facebook and Instagram. Some social media platforms may collect information about you, even if you do not have an account when you engage with their products.

Personal information

Personal information is defined as information about an individual whose identity is apparent or reasonably identifiable.

No personal information is collected automatically through this website. All personal information collected and/or stored must be voluntarily provided by you.

We will only collect personal information about you when you voluntarily participate in an activity that asks for information, such as:

Sending an enquiry or feedback
Participating in a survey
Making a booking
Undertaking a payment or other transaction
Creating an account
Opting in to communication or subscription services

If you choose not to provide personal information when completing one or more of these activities, you may not be able to complete that activity however, your choice will in no way affect your ability to browse this website.

Use of your personal information

Any personal information you provide will only be used for the purpose for which it was provided and will not be disclosed to other people or organisations without your consent.

No attempt will be made to identify individual users or their browsing activities except, in the unlikely event of an investigation, where a law enforcement agency (e.g. Australian Federal Police) exercises a warrant to inspect our service provider’s log files. This information is analysed to determine the website’s usage statistics.

We may use your contact details to respond appropriately (for example to advise receipt, address issues you identify) or to seek action from another government agency or other organisation.

If we ask you for personal information in order to provide you with a service that you have requested, then you will be informed how that personal information will be used if you choose to give it to us.

Disclosure of information

We will not share information about you with other government agencies or other organisations without your permission unless:

it is necessary to provide you with a service that you have requested;
it is required or authorised by law; or
where permitted general situations exist, such as to lessen or prevent a threat to life, health or safety; to assist with the location of a missing person; or to investigate suspected unlawful activity or serious misconduct relating to our functions.

Storage and security of your personal information

The Internet is an insecure medium and users should be aware that there are inherent risks transmitting information across the Internet. Information submitted unencrypted via email or web forms may be at risk of being intercepted, read or modified.

Security measures including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing and encryption have been integrated into the design, implementation, contractual arrangements and day-to-day practices of the ACT Government operating environment as part of its continuing commitment to risk management.

These security measures ensure the privacy of information while it is being transmitted across the Internet and protect your information against loss, misuse and alteration.

Credit card details are submitted directly to the banking system and are not passed or retained by the ACT Government in any form.

Access to and correction of personal information

You can review any personal information collected about you at any time by making a formal request in writing to Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601.

We will take reasonable steps to correct any information held to ensure that, having regard to the purpose for which it is held, the information is accurate, up-to-date, complete, relevant and not misleading. The obligation to correct information is subject to any applicable limitation in a law that provides a right to require the collection or amendment of documents.

If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact us. In all cases we will take reasonable steps to verify your identity prior to granting access to your personal information or making corrections to the information collected.

Disclaimer

This website contain links to third party websites. These may include links to websites operated by other government agencies, non-profit organisations and private businesses. When you select a link to another website, you are subject to the privacy policy of the new site. The ACT Government is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites.

Neither the ACT Government, nor any agency, officer nor employee of the ACT Government warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products or services linked from this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information.

Third party information may be incorrect or not current. It is your responsibility to verify all information provided by these websites and online facilities and/or websites linked to or from them. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.

How to contact us

Please contact us if you have any questions about this privacy statement or comment in relation to any aspect of the collection, use, security of, or access to your personal information.

Email: EPSDFOI@act.gov.au

Online: Access Canberra Feedback and Complaints

Phone: +61 2 6207 1923 or 13 22 81

Post:

Information Privacy Contact Officer
Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601

If an issue you have raised is not resolved to your satisfaction you may wish to contact the Information Privacy Commissioner. The role of the Information Privacy Commissioner for the ACT is performed by the Australian Information Commissioner.