Swales Consulting [ABN 27 507 126 587] ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, swalesconsulting.com (the "Site"), or use our professional services.

We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which regulate how Australian businesses handle personal information.

1. The Information We Collect

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our business functions or activities. The types of information we may collect include:

·       Identity & Contact Data: Your name, email address, phone number, job title, and company name (usually collected when you fill out a contact form, request a quote, or email us).

·       Technical & Usage Data: Your IP address, browser type, operating system, pages viewed, and the dates/times of your visits (collected automatically via cookies and analytics tools).

·       Business & Financial Data: Information required to provide our services, process payments, or issue invoices (such as billing addresses or basic transaction details).

2. How We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information in two main ways:

·       Directly from you: When you deliberately provide it to us by filling in forms on our Site, subscribing to a newsletter, requesting professional analysis, or communicating with us via email or phone.

  • Automatically: When you navigate our Site, we use cookies, web beacons, and standard server logs to collect technical data about your device and browsing patterns. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of our Site may not function perfectly if you do.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the personal information we collect for purposes including:

·       Providing, operating, and maintaining our Site and professional services.

·       Responding to your inquiries, providing quotes, and fulfilling your requests.

·       Processing financial transactions, invoicing, and managing business accounts.

·       Sending you administrative updates, technical notices, or promotional materials (you can opt out of marketing emails at any time via the "unsubscribe" link).

  • Complying with our legal, regulatory, and insurance obligations.

4. When and With Whom We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may disclose your information to third parties only in the following limited circumstances:

·       Service Providers: Trusted third-party IT, hosting, payment processing, or administrative providers who assist us in running our business and operating the Site. These parties are contractually obligated to keep your data secure.

·       Professional Advisers: Our lawyers, accountants, or insurers, where necessary, to manage business risk or obtain professional advice.

  • Legal Requirements: Where required by Australian law, court order, or a government authority with legal jurisdiction.

Overseas Disclosures: Some of our third-party service providers (such as cloud storage or website analytics platforms) may store data on servers located outside of Australia. Where data is transferred overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient handles your data in accordance with acceptable privacy standards.

5. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously. We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures—including secure servers, firewalls, and access controls—to protect your data from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or alteration.

However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights: Access and Correction

Under the APPs, you have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, or to ask that we correct any inaccuracies.

If you wish to access, update, or delete your personal information, please contact us using the details provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

7. Complaints and Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to make a complaint about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact us at:

Business Name: Swales Consulting

Email: bruce@swalesconsulting.com

Postal Address: 5/18 Lansell Road, Toorak, VIC 3142

We take all privacy complaints seriously and will aim to resolve your issue promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a formal complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au