Privacy Policy
Australian Properties For Sale Pty Ltd, referred to as “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company” operates the website located at https://australianproperties.forsale/ (the “Website”). We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the “Privacy Act”) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and manage your personal information when you interact with our Website or use our services, which include listing properties for sale or rent, user registrations, agency profiles, and service directories.
As a real estate platform serving the Australian market, we handle sensitive information such as contact details and property addresses. We only collect information necessary for our operations and take reasonable steps to ensure its security. This policy applies to all users, including private individuals, agents, and agencies.
If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our Website or services. By using them, you consent to the practices described here. We may update this policy from time to time—check the effective date above for the latest version. Changes will be posted on the Website, and significant updates may be notified via email if you have provided one.
1. What Personal Information Do We Collect?
“Personal information” means any information or opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable, whether true or not, and recorded in any form (as defined in the Privacy Act).
We may collect the following types of personal information:
| Category | Examples | How Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Registration & Contact | Name, email address, phone number (including verification), address | User registration form, contact inquiries, phone verification via SMS |
| Property-Related | Property details (e.g., address, photos, descriptions), user preferences (e.g., search filters for sales/rent) | Listing submissions, search interactions, agency profiles |
| Sensitive Information (with consent) | Financial details (e.g., price ranges), or details implying health/age if relevant to services (rare) | Only if voluntarily provided for specific purposes like tailored listings |
| Technical/Analytics | IP address, browser type, device info, cookies (for site functionality and analytics) | Automatically via Website tools (e.g., Google Analytics) |
| Services Directory | Business details for service providers (e.g., movers, inspectors) including company name, contact info | Submissions for service listings |
We do not collect personal information about children under 16 without parental consent, and our services are not directed at them. We encourage anonymity or pseudonyms where possible (e.g., for inquiries), unless required for verification (APP 2).
2. How Do We Collect Personal Information?
We collect information fairly and transparently, only when reasonably necessary for our functions (APP 3).
Methods include:
- Directly from you: Via forms (e.g., registration, property listings, contact forms), emails, or phone calls.
- Automatically: Through cookies, web beacons, and server logs for site performance and user experience. You can manage cookies via browser settings.
- From third parties: Rarely, such as credit checks (with consent) or public sources for agency verification.
Before collecting sensitive information, we seek your explicit consent (APP 3.3). If you provide information about others (e.g., a co-owner on a listing), you confirm you have their consent.
3. Why Do We Collect, Use, and Disclose Personal Information?
We handle your information only for primary purposes you would reasonably expect, or secondary purposes with consent or as permitted by law (APP 6). Key purposes include:
- Providing and improving our services (e.g., creating listings, matching buyers/renters, verifying users).
- Communicating with you (e.g., inquiry responses, updates on listings).
- Marketing (e.g., property alerts) – you can opt out at any time (APP 7).
- Compliance with laws (e.g., anti-money laundering checks).
- Analytics to enhance the Website (anonymized where possible).
Disclosures are limited to:
| Recipient Type | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Service Providers | Hosting (e.g., WordPress), SMS verification (e.g., Twilio), analytics (e.g., Google) | Operational support |
| Agents/Agencies | Sharing contact details for inquiries | Facilitating property transactions |
| Legal/Regulatory | OAIC, police, or courts | If required by law |
| Overseas Recipients | None routinely; if needed (e.g., cloud storage in USA), we ensure equivalent protections via contracts (APP 8) | Operational requirements with appropriate safeguards |
We do not sell your personal information. Direct marketing disclosures include an opt-out option.
4. Data Security and Storage
We take reasonable steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure (APP 11). This includes:
- Encryption for sensitive data (e.g., passwords).
- Access controls (e.g., role-based for agents).
- Secure servers and regular security audits.
Data is stored in Australia where possible, or overseas only with safeguards. Retention is as long as needed for our purposes or legal requirements (e.g., 7 years for tax records), then securely deleted or de-identified (APP 11.2).
In case of a data breach likely to cause serious harm, we will notify you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme (Part IIIC of the Privacy Act).
5. Access and Correction of Your Information
You have rights to access and correct your personal information (APPs 12–13). To request:
- Email info@australianproperties.forsale with details.
- We will respond within 30 days, free of charge unless requests are excessive.
- If denied, we provide reasons and OAIC complaint options.
We correct inaccuracies promptly and notify any recipients of changes.
6. Complaints and Dispute Resolution
If you believe we have breached the APPs:
- Contact our Privacy Officer at [insert email/phone] with details—we aim to resolve within 30 days.
- If unsatisfied, complain to the OAIC: oaic.gov.au/privacy/complaints or 1300 363 992.
We investigate all complaints fairly and keep records (APP 1).
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our Website uses cookies for functionality (e.g., remembering login), analytics, and ads. Essential cookies cannot be disabled; others can via browser settings. For details, see our Cookie Policy [link if separate]. This complies with APP 1 transparency requirements.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy to reflect legal changes or business needs. Posted updates are effective immediately. Continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance.
9. Contact Us
Australian Properties For Sale Pty Ltd
[Insert Address, e.g., Sydney, NSW 2000]
Email: info@australianproperties.forsale
Phone: [insert number]
This policy aligns with the Privacy Act 1988 and APPs, as guided by the OAIC. For real estate specifics, it draws from industry-compliant templates.