Aussie Top List ("we", "us", "our") operates the website at aussietoplist.com.au (the "Site"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the thirteen Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in that Act.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and store it, who we may share it with, and what rights you have regarding your information. Please read this policy carefully. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at hello@aussietoplist.com.au before submitting information through the Site.
1. Who We Are
Aussie Top List is an Australian online business directory and content platform based in Australia. We publish top-10 guides, service listings, and informational articles covering businesses and services across Australia. Our contact details are:
- Website: aussietoplist.com.au
- Email: hello@aussietoplist.com.au
2. What Personal Information We Collect
We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities. We may collect the following categories of information:
Information you give us directly
- Your name and business name when you submit a listing via our "Add Your Business" form
- Your email address when you contact us or submit a business listing
- Your phone number or postal address if you include it in a listing submission
- Any message content you send us through our contact form or email
Information collected automatically
- Your IP address and approximate geographic location (country, state)
- Browser type and version, operating system, and device type
- Pages visited on the Site, time spent on pages, and referral source
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7 below)
Information we do not collect
We do not collect sensitive information as defined by the Privacy Act (such as health information, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or financial account details) unless you voluntarily include it in a free-text message. Please do not include sensitive personal information in general contact messages.
3. How We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information through the following means:
- Directly from you when you submit a business listing, contact us by email, or fill in a form on the Site
- Automatically through cookies, analytics tools, and server logs when you visit and interact with the Site
- From third parties such as Google Analytics, which processes usage data on our behalf under its own terms
Where it is reasonable and practicable to do so, we collect personal information directly from the individual concerned.
4. Why We Collect and Use Personal Information
We collect and use personal information for the following purposes:
- To process and publish business listing submissions on the Site
- To respond to enquiries and communications sent to us
- To improve the content, structure, and performance of the Site
- To understand how visitors use the Site through aggregated analytics
- To comply with legal obligations under Australian law
- To detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or harmful activity on the Site
We do not use personal information for purposes other than those listed above without your consent, unless required or authorised by law.
5. Direct Marketing
We do not currently send marketing emails, newsletters, or promotional communications. If we introduce these in the future, we will only do so with your express consent and will provide a clear and easy way to unsubscribe from any such communications in each message, in accordance with the Spam Act 2003 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principle 7.
If you have previously provided your email address to us and do not wish to receive any future communications from us, contact us at hello@aussietoplist.com.au and we will remove your address from any contact list we hold.
6. Disclosure of Personal Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share personal information in the following limited circumstances:
Service providers
We use third-party service providers to operate and improve the Site. These providers process data on our behalf and are contractually required to handle it securely and only for the specified purpose. Current categories of service providers include:
- Website hosting providers (servers that store and deliver the Site)
- Analytics providers, including Google Analytics, which collects aggregated usage data
- Email service providers used to receive and respond to contact form submissions
Legal requirements
We may disclose personal information where we are required to do so by law, court order, or a lawful request from a government agency or regulator, including the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Business transfers
If we sell or transfer any part of our business, personal information held by us may be transferred to the new owner as part of that transaction. We will notify affected users by posting a notice on the Site before any such transfer takes effect.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
The Site uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience and to collect usage data. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device by your browser. We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Necessary for the Site to function correctly. These cannot be disabled without affecting Site performance.
- Analytics cookies: Used by Google Analytics to collect aggregated, anonymised data about how visitors use the Site, including pages visited, time on site, and traffic sources. This data does not personally identify you.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse new cookies, delete existing cookies, and set preferences for specific websites. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of parts of the Site.
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking specifically, install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
8. Overseas Disclosure
Some of our third-party service providers, including Google (for Analytics), are based outside Australia and process data in overseas locations including the United States. Before disclosing personal information to an overseas recipient, we take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient handles the information in a way consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles. By using the Site, you acknowledge that your information may be processed by overseas providers as described in this policy.
9. How We Store and Protect Personal Information
We store personal information on secure servers and take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect it from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These measures include:
- HTTPS encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and the Site
- Access controls limiting who within our organisation can access personal information
- Regular review of our security practices as technology and threats evolve
No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. While we take reasonable precautions, we cannot guarantee absolute security. If you believe your personal information has been compromised, contact us immediately at hello@aussietoplist.com.au.
We retain personal information only for as long as it is necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. When personal information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it.
10. Your Rights Under the Australian Privacy Principles
Under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Access
You have the right to request access to personal information we hold about you (APP 12). We will respond to access requests within 30 days. In most cases we will provide access free of charge, though we may charge a reasonable fee if the request requires significant effort to process.
Correction
If you believe personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading, you can ask us to correct it (APP 13). We will take reasonable steps to correct the information promptly.
Complaints
If you believe we have handled your personal information in a way that does not comply with the Privacy Act or the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to make a complaint. To do this:
- Contact us first at hello@aussietoplist.com.au so we can attempt to resolve the issue directly.
- If we do not resolve your complaint within 30 days, or you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au or by calling 1300 363 992.
11. Children's Privacy
The Site is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us without parental consent, contact us at hello@aussietoplist.com.au and we will delete the information promptly.
12. Third-Party Links
The Site contains links to third-party websites, including the businesses listed in our directory guides. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policy of any third-party website you visit through a link on this Site. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by aussietoplist.com.au.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of the Site after any change is posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct information we hold about you, or want to make a privacy complaint, contact us at:
- Email: hello@aussietoplist.com.au
- Website: aussietoplist.com.au
We will acknowledge your contact within 5 business days and aim to resolve all privacy enquiries within 30 days.
This Privacy Policy was prepared for Aussie Top List (aussietoplist.com.au) and reflects the requirements of the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. It is a general policy document and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified Australian privacy lawyer.
