Commercial Education Society of Australia

Privacy Policy

In 2001 new privacy legislation took effect in Australia. It regulates the way in which organisations collect, use, keep secure and disclose personal information. The Society, an independent, non-profit organisation, complies with that legislation.

Why do we collect personal details about individuals? The Society was formed in 1910 to help maintain standards in the teaching and practice of commercial subjects, and to improve the status of teachers and practitioners of those subjects. It does this, in part, by offering low-cost, independent examinations for both teachers and students, and by encouraging and assisting the development of mutuality and a community of interest in its membership body.

Members of the Society, colleges, schools and other participating institutions must provide us with sufficient information to enable us to manage and control admission to membership, examinations, and similar activities.

However, individuals have the right to know what information is kept about them, to correct the details if they are wrong, to know why we collect the information, and to know what use we make of it.

It is also the right of members, and participating schools and colleges to have their personal details corrected, or removed from our records.

Personal details collected by the Society may be used in order to:

• provide information or services requested
• administer and manage those services
• research and develop services
• promote and market other examinations and services that we believe may be of interest to you

The Society will publish information about persons only if those concerned - for example, award-winners - consent to its publication.

The Society will not disclose personal details to third parties unless required to do so to meet legal obligations. For example, we might have to disclose such information to government and regulatory authorities and other organisations as required or authorised by law.

If we do have to disclose personal information, we will use our best endeavours to ensure that it is kept secure, confidential and protected from misuse, loss or unauthorised access.

We take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the personal information we collect, use and disclose, is accurate, complete and up to date. However, the accuracy of that information depends to a large extent on the information you provide. Therefore, we recommend that you:

• let us know if there are any errors in your personal information; and
• keep us up to date with changes to personal information, such as your name and address.

By providing us with personal information you consent to and acknowledge that:

• we can collect and use that information for any of the purposes referred to above;
• we can disclose your personal details on a confidential basis to government departments or agencies, law enforcement bodies, investigators, lawyers and advisers;
• we can also use your personal details to provide you with information about membership activities, examinations and services offered by the Society; and
• you will inform us if you do not want your personal information to be used or disclosed for any of these purposes.