Privacy Policy

Champion Energy Consulting respects your privacy and is committed to handling your personal information responsibly, transparently and in accordance with applicable Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, where they apply.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect personal information when you visit our website, contact us, request a quote, engage our services, upload or send documents, or otherwise communicate with us.

1. Personal information we collect

Personal information is information or an opinion that identifies you, or could reasonably identify you. The OAIC describes personal information as broad and context-dependent, and it may include information such as names, contact details and other identifying details.

We may collect personal information including:

• your name
• business name or organisation name
• email address
• phone number
• property address or project location
• billing or invoicing details
• details about your building, renovation, development or project
• information included in enquiry forms, quote requests or emails
• documents, plans, drawings, specifications, reports, certificates or other files you provide to us
• correspondence between you and Champion Energy Consulting
• website usage information, including through cookies and analytics tools.

We generally do not seek to collect sensitive information unless it is reasonably necessary for the services we provide or you choose to provide it to us.

2. How we collect personal information

We may collect personal information when you:

• submit an enquiry through our website
• request a quote
• email, call or message us
• upload, send or share plans, drawings, documents or project information
• engage us to provide NatHERS, Whole of Home, Deemed to Satisfy, energy efficiency, thermal performance or related consulting services
• subscribe to updates or communications, if available
• interact with our website, including through analytics and cookies.

We collect personal information directly from you wherever practical. We may also receive information from third parties involved in your project, such as builders, building designers, architects, draftspersons, consultants, developers, surveyors or other professionals, where they provide information to us for the purpose of obtaining or completing our services.

3. Why we collect and use personal information

We collect, hold, use and disclose personal information for purposes connected with our business activities, including to:

• respond to enquiries
• prepare and provide quotes
• assess whether we can assist with your project
• provide energy efficiency, NatHERS, Whole of Home, Deemed to Satisfy and related consulting services
• review plans, drawings, specifications and project documents
• communicate with you about your enquiry, quote or project
• request further information needed to complete our work
• issue invoices and manage payment
• maintain business, project and compliance records
• improve our website, services and customer experience
• manage administration, record keeping and internal business operations
• comply with legal, regulatory, insurance or professional obligations.

The OAIC’s updated APP 3 guidance emphasises that organisations should only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for their functions or activities. We aim to collect only the information we need to respond to enquiries, provide quotes, complete our services and operate our business.

4. Uploaded plans, drawings and project documents

If you upload, email or otherwise provide plans, drawings, specifications, reports, certificates, project briefs, building information or other documents, we may collect and use those documents to assess your project and provide our services.

These documents may include personal information, such as names, addresses, property details, project ownership details or information about people involved in the project.

We may use these documents to:

• prepare a quote
• assess project requirements
• complete energy efficiency, thermal performance or compliance-related assessments
• communicate with you or other nominated project contacts
• prepare reports, certificates, summaries or advice
• keep appropriate business and project records.

Please avoid sending unnecessary personal information in project documents where it is not relevant to the work we are being asked to perform.

5. Email communications

When you contact us by email, we may collect your email address, contact details and the contents of your message, including attachments.

We use this information to respond to your enquiry, provide services, manage your project and keep appropriate records. Email communications may be stored in our email system, document storage system or customer/project management systems.

Email is not always a fully secure method of communication. Please consider this before sending highly confidential or sensitive information by email.

6. Website analytics

We may use website analytics tools, such as Google Analytics or similar services, to understand how visitors use our website.

Analytics tools may collect information such as:

• pages visited
• time spent on the website
• referring websites or search terms
• approximate location
• device type
• browser type
• interactions with website content.

This information is generally used in an aggregated or statistical way to help us understand website performance, improve content and identify what information is useful to visitors.

7. Cookies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help websites function properly, remember preferences and understand website usage.

We may use cookies for purposes such as:

• website functionality
• security
• analytics
• performance monitoring
• improving user experience
• understanding how visitors find and use our website.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. However, some parts of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

8. Disclosure of personal information

We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

This may include disclosure to:

• employees, contractors or consultants who assist us
• professional advisers, such as accountants, lawyers or insurers
• IT, hosting, cloud storage, email, website, analytics and software service providers
• payment, invoicing or administration providers
• builders, designers, architects, surveyors, consultants or other project participants, where required to complete the work or where you have authorised us to communicate with them
• government, regulatory or compliance bodies, where required by law.

We do not sell your personal information.

9. Storage and security of personal information

We may store personal information electronically, including in email systems, cloud storage, project management tools, accounting systems, website systems and business software.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These steps may include:

• password protection
• access controls
• secure cloud-based systems
• limiting access to those who need the information
• maintaining appropriate digital security practices
• using reputable third-party service providers
• retaining information only where we have a legitimate business, legal or compliance reason to do so.

No method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure. While we take reasonable steps to protect information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Overseas disclosure

Some of the software, website, analytics, email, storage or cloud service providers we use may store or process information outside Australia.

Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to use reputable providers and manage personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable privacy obligations.

11. How long we keep personal information

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including to:

• provide services
• respond to enquiries
• manage project records
• comply with legal, accounting, insurance or professional obligations
• resolve disputes
• maintain business records.

When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to delete, destroy or de-identify it where appropriate.

12. Accessing or correcting your personal information

You may contact us to request access to personal information we hold about you, or to ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

We may need to verify your identity before responding to a request. In some circumstances, we may be unable to provide access to certain information, including where access would be unlawful, would affect another person’s privacy, or where another legal exception applies.

13. Privacy complaints

If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can review and respond to your concern.

You can contact us using the details below.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may be able to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). The OAIC is Australia’s privacy regulator and provides information about privacy rights and obligations.

14. Third-party websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of third-party websites. You should review the privacy policy of any external website you visit.

15. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our business, website, systems, services or legal obligations.

The updated version will be published on our website with the updated date shown at the top of the policy.

16. Contact us

For privacy enquiries, access or correction requests, or complaints, please contact:

Champion Energy Consulting
Email: contactus@championenergyconsulting.com.au