Privacy Policy

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) acknowledges the importance of privacy and the safeguarding of personal information. Any personal details provided to the IPA will be protected in line with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act), and the laws and regulations applying to privacy in Australia.

The Privacy Act requires the IPA to comply with the National Privacy Principles (NPP). These principles regulate how an entity deals with 'personal information' collected, stored, and/or destroyed that comes into that entity's possession.

'Personal Information' is any information (including an opinion) about a person whose identity is apparent or can be deduced from the information.  This applies whether that information is true or not. Sensitive information, a particular type of personal information, requires special treatment.  This includes information about a person's membership of a trade or professional association (such as membership of the IPA).

To the extent required by the Privacy Act the IPA will not collect or monitor any personal information without your consent, nor will it use or disclose to others your personal details without prior authorisation unless:

• It is required by the law or a Court;
• It is necessary because of the service you are using or for a service you have requested; or
• To protect the rights or property of others.

The IPA collects personal information in order to service the needs of its members and to carry out its duties as a professional association.  By joining the IPA, members are accepting that the IPA will collect personal information that is necessary for the administration of their membership and to meet the ethical, professional and other requirements of a professional association.

As part of the services offered to members the IPA will provide members with details relating to (amongst other things) CPE programs, information from commercial partners, and other information that the IPA believes is relevant to members.  The IPA does not provide the personal details of members to its commercial partners (other than to mail houses for the purpose of delivery) unless it is strictly required for the provision of a service.  Members can request to opt out of the commercial arrangements (unless they are required for professional reasons).

As a professional association the IPA is obligated to provide information from time to time to various statutory and government bodies such as the Australian Tax Office, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA).  The provision of such information is on a strictly confidential basis and these organisations have their own requirements in place for handling personal information.

WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE IPA COLLECT?

The IPA collects 'personal information' in the following circumstances:

• When a person applies to be or is registered as a member or student;
• Subscription renewal forms;
• When enrolling in CPE or using services offered to members; and/or
• Member survey forms.  (Information gathered from surveys is aggregated and not identifiable to specific individuals).

The type of personal information the IPA will collect from members and students include:

• Name and address details;
• Age, gender;
• Educational qualifications;
• Type of work performed;
• Business addresses; and/or
• Contact Details - eg phone, fax, e-mail.

The IPA may on occasions collect information from non-members such as:

• Non-member participants in CPE programs;
• Complaints against members;
• Use of IPA services; and/or
• Requests for information about the IPA

The IPA will handle any personal information within the requirements of the Privacy Act.  The IPA will generally not keep non-member information.  However information relating to complaints against members is maintained under strict procedures.

CAN YOU REFUSE TO GIVE INFORMATION?

A person can refuse to provide personal information.  However a refusal may mean that the service requested is not provided or that membership will be refused or forfeited.  A member may request that they not be contacted about a service offered or from a service provider.  The member should inform both the IPA and the service provider they do not want to use the service and do not want to be contacted about it.

HOW DOES THE IPA USE PERSONAL INFORMATION?

The IPA collects information in order to service member needs and meet professional requirements. Information may be used in the following ways:

• Processing applications for membership at all levels;
• Sending and processing subscription renewals;
• Inform members of services offered by the IPA;
• To better understand our member's needs and requirements;
• To provide information relevant for professional development - articles, CPE events, etc; and/or
• To lobby government.
   

TO WHOM DOES THE IPA PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION?

The IPA does not provide or sell to third parties personal information without the prior approval of members.  Information may be provided to mail houses in order to process the mailing of information.  However the IPA retains ownership and does not permit the information to be used for other purposes.

We may provide information to the following:

• Government bodies (ATO, ASIC etc), the Police or the Courts as required by law;
• To confirm that a person is a member of the IPA to the public, other professional bodies or government organisations;
• If the member agrees, information about a public practitioner (such as business name, address and contact details) - member should advise the IPA if they do or do not want such information to be provided; and/or
• To service providers, but only for the purpose of providing that service.
   

HOW THE IPA PROTECTS PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal information relating to members is maintained on a secure database. 

• Only certain employees are able to access and change this information. 
• The database is protected by passwords and is on a separate server to other information held by the IPA.
• The IPA has a "Firewall" to protect from outside interference.
• The server is located in a secure room with very limited access.

The IPA premises are secured so that only staff may access the building and any external access to the premises is locked at all times.

Any information provided to third parties is strictly limited and subject to guarantees about use.

Employees are trained in how to deal with personal information and are subject to discipline for any breaches.

SPAM

The IPA will not send you any commercial electronic messages such as SMS or emails unless this is permitted by the Spam Act (for example, we have your express or inferred consent). Any commercial electronic message that we send will identify the IPA as the sender and will include relevant contact details. The message will also provide an unsubscribe facility. If you do not wish to receive commercial electronic messages from us, please let us know (our contact details are provided at the end of this policy).

DO NOT CALL REGISTER

We will not call you on a number listed on the Do Not Call Register unless this is permitted under the Do Not Call Register Act and related instruments (for example, if we have your express or inferred consent to do so). If you do not wish us to call you on a particular number, please let us know (our contact details are provided at the end of this policy).

YOUR INFORMATION - YOUR RIGHTS

The Privacy Act requires that where a company holds personal information about an individual, that individual has the right to:

• Access that information;
• Require it be changed, updated or corrected; and
• Request that certain information be removed or destroyed.

Requests to access personal information must be addressed in writing to:

IPA Privacy Officer
GPO Box 1637
MELBOURNE VIC 3001