Privacy Policy
PRIVACY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION PROCEDURES
Purpose
In the course of its business, BROWNS English Language School (BROWNS) may collect information from students or persons seeking to enrol with BROWNS, either electronically or in hard copy format, including information that personally identifies individual users where necessary to fulfill the requirements of the business. BROWNS may also record various communications between individuals and BROWNS. In collecting personal information BROWNS will comply with the requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Collection and use of personal information
BROWNS will only collect personal information from individuals by fair and lawful means which is necessary for the function of BROWNS. BROWNS will only collect sensitive information with the consent of the individual and if that information is reasonably necessary for the functions of BROWNS. The information requested from individuals by BROWNS will only be used to provide details of study opportunities, to enable efficient course administration, to maintain proper academic records and to report to government agencies as required by law. If an individual chooses not to give BROWNS certain information, then BROWNS may be unable to enrol that person in a course or supply them with appropriate information.
Disclosure of personal information
Personal information about students studying with BROWNS may be shared with the Australian Government and their agencies, designated authorities and organisations that run courses in conjunction with BROWNS including and not limited to the following:
- Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
- Department of Human Affairs (DHA)
- Tuition Assurance Scheme manager
- Tuition Protection Service for international students
- Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS)
- Education Queensland International (EQI)
This information includes personal and contact details, photos and images, course and unit enrolment details, changes and progress relevant to students. BROWNS will not disclose an individual’s personal information to another person or organisation unless:
a) the individual concerned is reasonably likely to have been aware, or made aware that information of that kind is usually passed to that person or organisation;
b) the individual concerned has given written consent to the disclosure including consent forms that are signed by the individuals and/or by parents whose students are under the age of 18.
c) BROWNS believes on reasonable grounds that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of the individual concerned or of another person;
d) the disclosure is required or authorised by or under law; or
e) the disclosure is reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue.
Where personal information is disclosed for the purposes of enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the purpose of the protection of the public revenue, BROWNS shall include in the record containing that information a note of the disclosure. Any person or organisation that collects information on behalf of BROWNS or to whom personal information is disclosed as described in this procedure will be required to not use or disclose the information for a purpose other than the purpose for which the information was collected by them or supplied to them
Security and integrity of personal information
BROWNS is committed to ensuring the confidentiality, security and integrity of the personal information it collects, uses and discloses. BROWNS will take all reasonable steps to ensure that any personal information collected is relevant to the purpose for which it was collected, is accurate, up to date and complete. BROWNS will store securely all records containing personal information and take all reasonable security measures to protect personal information it holds from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Where BROWNS has no further use for personal information for any purpose disclosed by BROWNS, or is no longer required to maintain that personal information, all reasonable steps will be taken to destroy or de-identify the information.
Right to access and correct records
Individuals have the right to access or obtain a copy of the personal information that BROWNS holds about them. Requests to access or obtain a copy of personal information must be made in writing. There is no charge for an individual to access personal information that BROWNS holds about them; however, BROWNS may charge a fee to make a copy. Individuals will be advised of how they may access or obtain a copy of their personal information and any applicable fees within 10 days of receiving their written request. Where it is reasonable to do so, access to the information will be provided in the manner requested by the individual. If an individual considers their personal information to be incorrect, incomplete, out of date or misleading, they can request that the information be amended. Where a record is found to be inaccurate, a correction will be made as soon as practical. Where an individual requests that a record be amended because it is inaccurate, but the record is found to be accurate, the details of the request for amendment will be noted on the record. There is no charge for making a request to correct personal information. Written requests for access to, to obtain a copy of, or correct personal information held by BROWNS should be made in writing addressed to the Student Services Manager.
Complaints about an alleged breach of the APPs
Where an individual believes that BROWNS has breached a Privacy Principle in relation to that individual, they may lodge a complaint using the complaints procedures which enables students and prospective students to lodge complaints of a non-academic nature, including complaints about handling of personal information and access to personal records.
Publication
These Privacy and Personal Information Policy will be made available to students and persons seeking to enrol with BROWNS by publication on the BROWNS website. Alternatively, a copy of this policy may be requested by contacting BROWNS at info@browns.edu.au In order to ensure that students have given their informed consent for their personal information to be disclosed to certain third parties as outlined in this procedure, BROWNS will advise students on enrolment about these procedures and where they are located.
Approval and review
Document type: Policy and Procedure
Document name: Privacy Policy
Document number: Version 2
Authorised by: Justin Blake – General Manager and Principal Executive Officer
Date of authorisation: 05/04/2022
Date for review: 05/04/2023
Policy Owner: Iris Henig – Student Success Manager