Privacy Policy

VTIC is committed to ensuring the privacy and security of all personal information collected from our members, customers and other parties that make contact with us. Personal information refers to any information or opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent or may be reasonably ascertained from information or opinion.

This policy is to ensure VTIC complies with the Privacy Act and its thirteen Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in so far as they apply to our business operations. This Privacy Policy outlines the information collection practices utilised by VTIC, how that information is used and the choices you can make about the way the information you provide to us is collected, stored and used.

The information we collect

When you lodge an enquiry with or submit an application or registration to VTIC, we need to collect information about you in order to enable us to service your membership, deliver our professional services or to complete any business transaction. When you ring us, we may also monitor or record telephone calls for staff training and quality maintenance purposes, or to verify discussions which take place. This information includes, but is not limited to, details such personal information as your name, your contact details, your requirements and relevant company, business and financial information. We may not be able to provide products or services if you do not supply the information requested.

We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect from you is accurate, up to date and complete and that when we use or disclose that information it remains accurate, up to date and complete. If you request that we correct or change information that we have previously provided to third parties, then we will do so provided it is reasonable and practicable to do so.

VTIC does not receive unsolicited personal information about you from any third parties. Further we do not collect any sensitive information about you such as information about your political opinions, religious beliefs, sexual preferences or about your health. Lastly we do not adopt any government related identifiers in order to identify you. For example your personal income tax number.

When you are not joining the membership of VTIC or purchasing services or products you have the option of not identifying yourself or alternatively you can use a pseudonym. For instance when you wish to obtain a brochure of our services and membership packages. However the use of a pseudonym might not always be practicable as it may make it difficult for us to forward such information without your name, being made available to us.

If we were to collect your personal information from someone other than you, we will notify you that such information has been collected and the circumstances of that collection.

VTIC Web Site

Like most web sites, there is certain information we automatically track when you use the VTIC website, including the URL that you came from, the browser you are using and your IP address. This data is utilised to improve the services of VTIC and does not include any personally identifying information.

If you use our website “cookies” may be transferred to your computer. Cookies store information about your use of the site which, after you logon on as a member or purchaser of our products and services, allow us to identify you and otherwise enable the efficient use of the website.

This policy does not apply to other websites which you access by using a link from our website. The content and privacy policies of other websites are the responsibilities of their owners.

Please note that other websites or programs hosted or operated by VTIC(on domain names other than via www.vtic.com.au) may contain specific privacy statements and disclosures which are specific to that website or program.

How we use the information

The information that you provide will be collected and saved by us is used to assess your requirements and to enable VTIC to properly run the organisation. For instance in maintaining membership and customer records. That information also enables the relevant service or information to be provided to you. It may also be used for other purposes which you would reasonably expect, for example, for research, staff training, policy development, planning or for supply to third party service providers such as email marketing platforms we use for direct marketing to you, mailing houses that we use to send you surface post material, third party clearance houses or mercantile agents for account settlement.

Further we provide your personal information to third parties such as VTIC Sponsors for their direct marketing of their products and services which we believe may be of interest to you . Otherwise we do not sell, rent or trade your personal information to other third parties for other marketing purposes.

If at any point in time you would like your saved data to be deleted from our system, please contact us and we will arrange to have your records deleted from our database.

As a user of  VTIC’s services, you may occasionally receive email, promotional material or other updates from us about new information, briefings or products or services being offered by VTICI or any of its related companies or business partners, along with newsletters and any noteworthy changes to the website. You may always unsubscribe and opt out from receiving these messages.
Unless otherwise prohibited by law or our contractual obligations, we may disclose personal information if required to do so by law, court order, or as requested by a governmental or law enforcement authority, or in the good faith belief that disclosure is otherwise necessary or advisable. Such situations may include: to perform, maintain or enforce contracts with our users or suppliers; to protect the rights or properties of VTIC, our business affiliates, our users, or others; or when we have reason to believe that disclosing the information is necessary to identify, contact, or bring legal action against someone who may be causing, or who may be threatening to cause, interference with or damage to our rights or properties, whether intentionally or otherwise; or when anyone else could be harmed by such activities.

Opting out of receiving direct marketing and promotional information from VTIC and from VTIC Sponsors

VTIC works hard to provide our members and customers with the best possible service at all times. From time to time, we will send out newsletters, promotional material updates and other useful information. We hope that you will find these items informative and useful. However, should you choose to not receive them in the future, you have the ability to unsubscribe from the mail database by following the Unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

Further if, at the time of either joining/ renewing membership with VTIC, registering for an event or purchasing products or services from VTIC, you do not wish to receive direct marketing information either from VTIC or VTIC Sponsors please indicate so by clicking on the relevant button. If at a later date you no longer wish to receive further direct marketing from a VTIC Sponsor please let us know and we will promptly advise the relevant VTIC Sponsor. .

Our commitment to data security

All information captured by VTIC is stored securely at all times and will never be provided to any unauthorised third parties.

From time to time we review whether we still need to retain your personal information. If it is no longer required for its purpose for which we originally collected it then we will delete your information from our database or ensure the information is de identified.

Access to your information

If you wish to know what information we have gathered about you, you can request this information by contacting our privacy officer. If any of the personal information provided by you changes, is inaccurate, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading please let our privacy officer know what information needs to be deleted, changed or corrected. We will endeavour to respond to your request within seven days. However we are not required by the Privacy Act to give you access to your information in certain circumstances such as where your request for access if frivolous, vexatious or information relates to legal proceedings between us and yourself and would not be accessible by the process of court discovery in these proceedings.

If you would like a free copy of this policy in paper form or in some other form please make that request of our privacy officer. In some circumstances we may ask you to pay reasonable out of pocket expenses, such as photocopy costs, associated with satisfying your request.

If we refuse to give you access to your information or to give access in its manner requested by you then we will give you a written notice that sets out:

a) Our reason for refusal except to the extent that, having regard to the grounds for the refusal, it would be unreasonable to do so and
b) The mechanisms available to complain about the refusal
c) Any other matter prescribed by the regulations of the Privacy Act.

If we were to refuse to correct your personal information when you request that we do, we will provide a written notice which will set out both our reason for our refusal unless it is unreasonable to do so and the mechanism available to complain about our refusal and any other matter prescribed by regulations to the Privacy Act. You also have the right to request that we associate a statement with your information stating that you say that the information is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading.

Making a complaint

A person may make a complaint if they feel their personal information has been handled inappropriately by VTIC in breach of VTIC’s privacy obligations under the Privacy Act.

In the first instance, complaints must be directed to VTIC’s Privacy Officer in writing. VTIC will investigate the complaint and prepare a response to you in writing within a reasonable period of time.

If you are not satisfied with VTIC’s response or the manner in which VTIC has dealt with the complaint, you have the option of making a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (“OAIC”).

How to contact us

This policy may be revised from time to time, as we alter the way we use your information, or new features are added to the site or the legislation changes. Please check the policy periodically for updates and additions. If you have any concerns or queries about VTICs Privacy Policy or would like more information, please contact our privacy officer using the details displayed in the CONTACT section of our website or email info@vtic.com.au