Privacy at Dawson McDonald

This policy outlines the obligations that Dawson McDonald has in managing the personal information we hold about our clients, potential clients, candidates and others.

Dawson McDonald is bound by the National Privacy Principles (NPPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988.

In summary, "personal information" is information or an opinion relating to an individual which can be used to identify that individual.

We collect personal information in order to conduct our business, to provide and market our services and to meet our legal obligations.

In general the type of personal information we collect includes (but is not limited to) names, addresses, contact details, occupations and other information which assists us in conducting our business, providing and marketing our services and meeting our legal obligations.

In most cases, if personal information we request is not provided, we may not be able to supply the relevant product or service.

How we collect personal information

You may provide us with personal information about yourself by way of job applications you lodge, forms you complete, face-to-face meetings, interviews, business cards, e-mails and telephone conversations.

At times we may be provided with information about an individual from a third party, for example a reference for another person.

Use and disclosure of personal information

Dawson McDonald may use and disclose your personal information for the primary purpose for which it is collected, for reasonably expected secondary purposes, which are related to the primary purpose and in other circumstances authorised by the Privacy Act.

In general, we use and disclose your personal information for the following purposes

• to conduct our business;
• to provide and market our services;
• to communicate with you;
• to purchase from you;
• to comply with our legal obligations; and
• to help us manage and enhance our services

Disclosure of personal information to others

We may disclose your personal information to -

• other companies or individuals who assist us in providing services or perform functions on our behalf (such as specialist consultants or mailing houses)
• courts, tribunals and regulatory authorities, if we are required by law to do so
• anyone else to whom you authorise us to disclose it

We also collect personal information from these organisations and individuals, and deal with that information in accordance with this policy.

Sending personal information overseas

We will not send your personal information to any person or organisation outside Australia without:

• obtaining your consent (in some cases this consent will be implied); or
• otherwise complying with the NPPs

We take reasonable steps to ensure that such recipients respect the confidentiality of this information by abiding by the NPPs or equivalent privacy laws.

Protection of personal information

The NPP's require us to take reasonable steps to protect the security of personal information.  Our staff members are required to respect the confidentiality of personal information and the privacy of individuals.

Dawson McDonald takes reasonable steps to protect personal information held from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure, for example by use of physical security and restricted access to electronic records.

Where we no longer require your personal information for a permitted purpose under the NPPs, we will take reasonable steps to destroy it.

Access to your personal information

Subject to the exceptions detailed in the Privacy Act, you may seek access to the personal information that we hold about you by contacting:

The Privacy Officer
Dawson McDonald & Associates Pty Ltd
11/179 Queen Street, Melbourne. VIC 3000.
Ph: (03) 9602 4858
Fax: (03) 0602 4677
E-mail: privacy@dawson-mcdonald.com.au

We will require you to verify your identity and specify what information you require.  A fee will be charged for access and you will be informed of the likely cost in advance.