Privacy Statement – ABC Institute

1. Introduction

ABC Institute (ABCI) is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information we collect, store, use, and disclose in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). As a CRICOS-registered provider, ABCI also complies with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000, the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018, and other applicable laws.

This Privacy Statement outlines how we handle your personal information and your rights as a student, prospective student, or visitor to our website and campuses.

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect and hold the following types of personal information:

• Full name, gender, date of birth
• Residential and mailing addresses
• Contact details (email, phone number)
• Passport, visa and nationality information
• USI (Unique Student Identifier)
• Educational background and qualifications
• Emergency contact details
• Health information and special needs (where required)
• Payment and financial information
• Employment history (for course prerequisites or RPL)
• Feedback and course evaluations
• Website usage data (e.g. IP address, browser type)
  
  

In some instances, we may also collect sensitive information, such as:

• Health or disability details (e.g., for learning support or placement)
• Criminal record (for certain vocational courses)
• Language background, ethnicity (for statistical reporting)
  
  

3. How We Collect Your Information

Your personal information is collected through:

• Online enrolment forms
• Application and inquiry forms (online and paper-based)
• Communication with our staff and agents
• Use of our website and learning platforms
• Events, surveys, interviews, and evaluations
  
  

In certain cases, we may collect information from third parties, including:

• Authorised education agents
• Other registered training organisations
• Government departments or regulatory bodies (with consent)
  
  

4. Why We Collect and Use Your Information

We collect personal information for the following purposes:

• To manage enrolment, course delivery, and student records
• To report to regulatory and government bodies (e.g., Department of Home Affairs, ASQA, NCVER)
• To communicate important updates, events, and course-related notices
• To assess eligibility for course entry or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• To support students’ welfare, academic progression, and compliance
• For emergency management and student support services
• For marketing purposes (only with express or implied consent)
• For internal research, planning, audits, and quality assurance
  
  

5. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose your personal information to:

• Australian Government agencies including Home Affairs, Services Australia, ASQA, and NCVER
• Tuition Protection Service (TPS) where required
• Health providers in emergencies
• Host employers and work placement providers
• Education agents or partners (where consent is given)
• Legal or professional advisors
• IT and data service providers under contract with ABCI
  
  

We do not sell or rent your personal information to any third party.

We only disclose sensitive information with your consent or where required by law.

6. Storage and Security of Personal Information

We take reasonable steps to protect your information from:

• Unauthorised access, misuse, or loss
• Interference or modification
• Disclosure to unauthorised parties
  
  

Personal information is stored in secure physical and digital environments. Access is restricted to authorised personnel with appropriate clearance. We use industry-standard security software and protocols.

Where we use third-party providers (e.g. cloud services), we ensure that your information is stored in accordance with Australian legal requirements.

7. Access and Correction

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information held by ABCI
• Request correction of inaccurate, out-of-date, or incomplete information
  
  

Requests can be made by contacting our Privacy Officer (see details below). We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may require identity verification.

8. Website and Cookies

When you visit the ABCI website:

• We may collect anonymous data (e.g., browser type, pages visited, referral source)
• Cookies may be used to enhance site performance and your experience
• We do not attempt to identify users unless required for legal reasons
  
  

You may disable cookies in your browser settings if you prefer.

9. Marketing and Communications

We may use your contact details to send:

• Course updates, event invitations, news, and marketing material
  
  

You can opt out at any time via the unsubscribe link or by contacting us directly.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected and to comply with legal obligations. When no longer required, information is securely deleted or de-identified.

11. Overseas Disclosure

While ABCI primarily stores data within Australia, certain support services or platforms may operate internationally. We take all reasonable steps to ensure these providers comply with Australian privacy laws and that your data remains secure.

12. Privacy Complaints or Concerns

If you believe we have breached your privacy or mishandled your data, you may lodge a complaint with our Privacy Officer.

Privacy Officer – ABC Institute
Email: marketing@abcinstitute.edu.au
Phone: +61 +61 480 122 851
Mail: ABC Institute, Privacy Office, Level 2, 123 Smith St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) via www.oaic.gov.au.

13. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Statement may be updated periodically. The most current version will always be available on our website www.abcinstitute.edu.au.

Last updated: April 2025