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Privacy Policy
1. Purpose of Policy
MLCS Corporate is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information obtained through its operations as a professional services firm.
MLCS Corporate is bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and any relevant privacy code registered under the Privacy Act.
As an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited, a member of the Commonwealth Bank Group of companies, we are also bound by the Group's Privacy Policy.
2. Policy Statement
The 13 Australian Privacy Principles apply to personal information, that is, information or an opinion (whether true or not) relating to an identified individual or which can be used to identify that individual. Please note that information about companies is not personal information. However the principles will apply to an individual who is carrying on a business as a sole trader.
3. The kinds of personal information we collect and hold
MLCS Corporate collects personal information that is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, its functions or activities, e.g. audit services, taxation advice and services, accounting services, corporate finance, financial planning and similar business activities.
The specific types of personal information MLCS Corporate may collect and hold includes the following:
name; contact details; business/mailing address; title; nature of business; advice received from the client or prospective client that may contain additional personal information, such as family relationships and other business-related connections; qualifications, memberships and other accreditations; and financial records.
As set out below, MLCS Corporate also collects certain information that is not directly and specifically provided by third parties, such as an IP address, browsing pattern on the site, click stream, and the status of cookies placed on a computer via Google Analytics. MLCS Corporate does not collect any personal information other than information reasonably necessary for, or directly relating to, the primary purpose for which MLCS Corporate has been engaged or may be engaged, or its other functions and activities.
4. How we collect personal information
MLCS Corporate only collects personal information that has been directly provided to us by our clients or prospective clients, associates of clients, our suppliers or potential suppliers, our employees or potential employees, or is otherwise available in the public domain where this information will assist us with the provision of services to our current and prospective clients. Information may have been provided verbally or in writing (including by email or through web forms).
MLCS Corporate may from time to time collect personal information concerning an associate of a client or a prospective client (e.g. a spouse or a child) where it is considered unreasonable or impracticable to seek this same information directly from the associate.
By way of example, we may at times seek personal information such as a name, address, date of birth and similar personal information directly from a client in relation to their associate (for example, their spouse, de-facto partner or their children) where we are satisfied that the associate would not object to the provision of that information to us in order for MLCS Corporate to provide services involving that associate.
Our website does not use any cookies other than those required for Google Analytics. We use Google Analytics to collect information about how people use our website. The information we obtain from Google Analytics helps us understand user needs so that we can offer a better user-experience.
Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information about which pages you visit, how long you are on the site, how you got there (for example from a search engine, a link, an advertisement etc.) and what you select. Information collected by the cookies (including your IP address) is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.
By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner described in Google's Privacy Policy and for the purposes set out above. You can opt out of Google Analytics if you disable or refuse the cookie, disable JavaScript, or use the opt-out service provided by Google.
5. How we use your personal information
MLCS Corporate may at times use and disclose personal information about an individual for the 'primary purpose' of collection (i.e. the dominant or fundamental purpose for which that information is collected). As well as providing services to clients, that 'primary purpose' includes facilitating our internal business processes, communicating with clients, prospective clients and other external parties, providing ongoing marketing information about our products and services, complying with our legal obligations and dealing with enquiries and complaints.
In certain circumstances, the law may permit or require us to use or disclose personal information for other purposes (for instance where a client would reasonably expect us to and the purpose is related to the purpose of collection).
For tax clients, tax file numbers: can be collected by tax agents and accountants; can be used only to conduct client's affairs; and can be disclosed only to client and the Australian Tax Office.
Sensitive information
Our policy is that we do not collect sensitive information about our clients or prospective clients. If any of our clients or prospective clients elects to provide us with any sensitive personal information, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the sensitive information is securely protected.
6. Disclosure of Personal Information
Personal information is not disclosed to a third party unless the disclosure is necessary to support the delivery of the client services for which MLCS Corporate has been, or is expected to be, engaged, or is required by law. Examples where personal information may be disclosed to a third party include: disclosures to our related companies to provide services; superannuation details to a fund administrator; Tax File Number Declaration to the Australian Taxation Office; where MLCS Corporate is required by law to provide personal information so that MLCS Corporate complies with court orders, subpoenas or other legislation that requires us to provide personal information (for example, a garnishee order).
In certain circumstances, MLCS Corporate may also disclose personal information to third party service providers (such as IT service providers) who assist us to administer our business. We may also provide a client's or prospective client's personal information to credit reporting bodies and other credit providers. Our separate credit reporting policy sets out how we deal with credit-related information.
Should it be necessary for MLCS Corporate to forward personal information to third parties outside the firm, we will make every effort to ensure that the confidentiality of the information is protected.
Overseas disclosures
The nature of our business activities may on occasion require that personal information be disclosed to overseas recipients in order to provide the services contemplated under the terms of our engagement or prospective engagement. The location of any overseas recipients of this information will depend upon the nature of the client assignment being conducted or contemplated.
In the event that personal information is disclosed to overseas recipients, MLCS Corporate will take all reasonable steps to ensure that any personal information is secure and treated in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.
7. How we store your personal information
MLCS Corporate will take all reasonable steps to protect against the loss, misuse and/or alteration of the information under its control, including through appropriate physical and electronic security strategies. Only authorised MLCS Corporate personnel are provided access to personal information, and these employees are required to treat this information as confidential.
We may need to maintain records for a significant period of time. However, when we consider information is no longer needed, we will destroy or de-identify these records. Our policy is that all electronic records are only stored within Australia whenever this is commercially feasible. However, on occasion, a limited number of specialist software applications may involve the storage of personal data at an overseas location where a suitable alternative is not available.
MLCS Corporate will only store data with an external provider if a technical assessment of a service provider's security protocols are considered to meet or exceed the level of security that MLCS Corporate could apply if the electronic data were to be stored in MLCS Corporate's own in-house systems and where we are satisfied that MLCS Corporate is able to meet its commitments under Australian Privacy Legislation.
8. Accuracy of personal information
MLCS Corporate will take all reasonable steps to make sure that any personal information collected, used or disclosed is accurate, complete and up to date.
If a person believes that the information we hold is inaccurate or out of date, they may contact our Privacy Officer and we will update the relevant information accordingly.
9. Access to personal information
Under the Australian Privacy Principles, a person has the right to request access to any personal information that we may hold about them and to advise us if the information should be corrected. The Australian Privacy Principles set out the circumstances when we can refuse those requests. If we do refuse a request, we will provide the person with a written notice that sets out the reasons (unless it would be unreasonable to provide them).
Subject to our right to refuse access, MLCS Corporate will provide the person with a report that lists any personal information that we may hold.
Our policy is to provide written acknowledgement of our receipt of any request for access to personal information or a request for correction of personal information within 7 days of the request being received. We will then provide a written response within 30 days of our receipt of the request.
In the event that an individual would prefer to submit a privacy request using a pseudonym or otherwise keep.
10. Count Financial Disclosure
MLCS Corporate Pty Ltd ABN 69 055 258 270 , trading as MLCS Corporate is an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited ABN 19 001 974 625 AFSL No. 227232 which is 85% owned by CountPlus Limited ABN 111 26 990 832 (CountPlus) of Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney 2000 NSW and 15% owned by Count Member Firm Pty Ltd ACN 633 983 490 of Level 8, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney 2000 NSW. CountPlus is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Count Member Firm Pty Ltd is owned by Count Member Firm DT Pty Ltd ACN 633 956 073 which holds the assets under a discretionary trust for certain beneficiaries including potentially some corporate authorised representatives of Count Financial Ltd. The information on this web page is not advice and is intended to provide general information only. It does not account of your individual needs, objectives, or personal circumstances.
