Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 2/12/2025
1. Introduction and Commitment
Property Costs Pty Ltd or its operating entity ("The Service," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). This policy sets out how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information.
By using the PropertyCosts.com.au website or subscribing to our updates, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy.
2. Collection of Personal Information
We collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for the operation of our Service, specifically for providing general property cost estimations and distributing informational content.
2.1. Information You Provide Directly:
This includes information you actively provide to us, such as:
- Contact Information: Your email address, voluntarily provided when you subscribe to "Stay Updated on Property Investment Insights".
- Correspondence: Records of any correspondence with us (e.g., through email or contact forms).
2.2. Information Collected Automatically (Non-Personal):
When you use our website and calculator tools, we collect technical and analytical information which is generally non-personal. This includes:
- Calculator Inputs: Property location (e.g., postcode), property value, loan terms, and other factual parameters entered into our calculation tools. This data is typically aggregated and used for analytical purposes only, and is not linked to your identity.
- Usage Data: IP addresses, browser types, device identifiers, time spent on the Platform, and pages visited, collected via cookies and analytics tools. This data is used to improve the functionality and performance of the Service.
3. Purpose of Collection and Use
We collect your personal information primarily for the following purposes:
- Service Delivery: To manage and fulfill your subscription request to receive "Investment Insights" and updates on "FIRB updates, rate shifts, and new analytics tools".
- Communication: To respond to your inquiries and correspondence.
- Service Improvement: To analyze user interaction with our Platform, troubleshoot technical issues, and enhance calculator accuracy and site features.
- Compliance: To comply with our legal obligations, prevent fraud, and enforce our Terms of Service.
4. Disclosure to Third Parties and Marketing
We will not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law or as strictly necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined below.
4.1. Disclosure for Marketing and Referrals
We are an unlicensed provider of general information, not an Australian Financial Services (AFS) or Credit Licence (ACL) holder.
If The Service decides to enter into partnerships with third-party providers—such as licensed financial advisers, mortgage brokers, or credit providers—for the purpose of marketing or referring users who may benefit from professional advice, we will only share your personal information (e.g., email address) if we obtain your explicit, affirmative consent prior to the disclosure.
4.2. Disclosure to Service Providers
We may disclose aggregated, de-identified usage data (such as calculator inputs) to third-party service providers (e.g., cloud hosting, IT support, analytics providers) who assist us in operating the Platform and conducting our business. These third parties are prohibited from using your personal information for any purpose other than those directed by us.
5. Data Security and Storage
We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference, and loss, as well as from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information, including security measures for the electronic storage of data, such as access controls and encryption.
Your personal information is stored within Australia where possible. We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or to meet legal and regulatory requirements.
6. Access, Correction, and Complaint Rights
6.1. Access and Correction
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request that we correct any inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information. To make such a request, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details provided below.
6.2. Unsubscribe
You may unsubscribe from our email subscription list at any time using the "unsubscribe" link provided in every email communication.
6.3. Complaints
If you believe we have breached the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to make a complaint. Please contact our Privacy Officer in the first instance. We will investigate your complaint and attempt to resolve it within a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may refer your complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
7. Contact Details
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or wish to make a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer:
8. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. We will post the revised policy on this page and update the "Effective Date." We encourage you to review this policy periodically.