Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 31 May 2026
Hearth & Home Advocates ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in an open and transparent manner. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, store and manage your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles can be obtained from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au.
What is Personal Information?
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual or could reasonably identify an individual.Examples of Personal Information we may collect include:NameResidential or postal addressEmail addressTelephone numberProperty requirements and preferencesFinancial information relevant to your property searchInformation relating to property ownership or purchasing intentionsAny other information provided by you in connection with our services
How We Collect Personal Information
We may collect your personal information through various methods, including:Direct conversations and meetingsTelephone callsEmail correspondenceOnline enquiry formsOur websiteSocial media platformsProperty inspections and appointmentsPublicly available sourcesReferrals from third parties with your consentCookies and website analytics toolsWhile we take care in selecting trusted third-party providers, we are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites linked from our website.
Why We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information primarily to:Provide buyer advocacy servicesAssess your property requirementsRepresent your interests during property searches and negotiationsCommunicate with you regarding our servicesFacilitate property transactionsProvide updates, newsletters, or marketing communications (where consent has been provided)Improve our services and website functionalityYou may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by contacting us or using the unsubscribe link contained within our communications.
Sensitive Information
Sensitive information includes information relating to matters such as health, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, criminal records or biometric information.We generally do not collect sensitive information unless it is necessary for providing our services and:You have consented to its collection; orWe are required or authorised by law to collect it.Any sensitive information collected will only be used for the purpose for which it was provided or as otherwise permitted by law.
Information Collected from Third Parties
Where practical, we collect personal information directly from you.However, in some circumstances we may receive information from third parties such as:Referring clientsReal estate professionalsSolicitors or conveyancersMortgage brokersProperty developersPublic records and databasesWhere appropriate, we will take reasonable steps to notify you of information obtained from third parties.
Disclosure of Personal Information
We may disclose your personal information to:Real estate agents and agenciesProperty vendors and their representativesConveyancers and solicitorsMortgage brokers and financial professionalsService providers who assist us in operating our businessTechnology and cloud storage providersRegulatory bodies where required by lawWe will only disclose personal information where necessary to provide our services, where you have consented, or where required or authorised by law.
Security of Personal Information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.Personal information may be stored electronically and in physical files. Security measures include:Password-protected systemsSecure cloud-based storageRestricted access to informationRegular security reviewsWhile we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure.
Retention of Personal Information
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations.When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.
Access and Correction
You may request access to personal information we hold about you and request corrections if you believe it is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.Requests should be made in writing using the contact details below.We may require verification of identity before releasing information.In some circumstances permitted by law, access may be refused. If this occurs, we will explain the reasons for the refusal.
Website Cookies and Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience and gather website usage data.Cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website and allow us to improve functionality and content.You can choose to disable cookies through your browser settings, although some website features may not function correctly.
Policy Updates
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or business practices.The most current version will always be available on our website.
Privacy Enquiries and Complaints
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or how we manage your personal information, please contact us Email: emma@hearthandhomeadvocates.comWebsite: www.hearthandhomeadvocates.com
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):Website: www.oaic.gov.auTelephone: 1300 363 992