Big Sister Program Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 13 October 2025

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

The Big Sister Program, with program partner Energy Skills Australia (ESA) is committed to protecting your privacy and the personal information you provide to us. We are committed to complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Act), the Australian Privacy Principles, and the privacy provisions of all applicable legislation.

This privacy policy covers all personal information we hold. Personal information is information or an opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can be reasonably ascertained, from that information or opinion.

If you do not provide the personal information we require, it may not be possible to provide you with access to our programs, facilities, or services.

2. How and Why We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information about you only if it is relevant to providing our services. We collect this information when you:

  • Register to use our services or participate in our programs.
  • Complete any of our internal forms.
  • Register or request to be included on a mailing list.
  • Submit information to us for any other reason connected with our business.

In some limited circumstances, we may also collect personal information about you from third parties. We must also collect and retain some personal information as required under Australian law.

The types of information we generally collect include:

  • Your name, gender, address, date of birth, age, and contact details.
  • Evidence of your academic or workplace training background provided by you.
  • Details regarding your participation in our programs or services offered to you.
  • Records of correspondence between you and the Big Sister Program.

3. How We Use Your Personal Information

By registering or using the services of the Big Sister Program, you consent to us using your personal information for the purposes listed below. We will use your personal information in the following ways:

  • To Improve Our Services: Your information helps us to provide a personalised experience, better respond to your individual needs, and more effectively respond to customer service requests and support needs.
  • Program Administration: To fulfil our contractual obligations to you and for internal purposes such as procedural assessments, risk management, service reviews, staff training, accounting, and billing.
  • Third-Party Providers: For provision to trusted third-party service providers, our advisers (e.g., lawyers, accountants), or other entities who help us provide our products and services to you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential.
  • Marketing and Communications: To keep you informed of our services or those of our business partners that may be of interest to you. When you register with us, it is taken that you consent to direct marketing. You have the opportunity to “opt out” of receiving this information at any time. Unless you opt out, we will assume you have consented to receiving that information.
  • Legal Purposes: For any other purposes permitted by the Act.

When registering with us, it is taken that you consent to direct marketing. You have the opportunity to “opt out” of receiving direct marketing information. Unless you opt out, we will assume you have consented to the receipt of that information. You may opt out by up changing your user settings, by contacting our Privacy Officer on 02 6100 2147, by e-mail at office@energyskillsaustralia.com.au, or by writing to PO Box 431, Hall, ACT, 2618.

4. Third-Party Access to Your Information

Your personal information that we collect may be accessed by certain third parties.

  • If you are a minor, your personal information may be accessed by your parents or guardians.
  • Government authorities may also have access to your personal information where required by law.
  • We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personally identifiable information to outside parties. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website or conducting our business, provided they agree to keep this information confidential.
  • We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect our or others’ rights, property, or safety.
  • Non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, research, or other uses. This information is not linked to any personal information under our control.

It is unlikely that we will disclose your personal information to overseas recipients. However, by requesting to use our services, you acknowledge and consent to your personal information being disclosed to an overseas recipient who may not be bound by the Australian Privacy Principles.

5. Protection and Retention of Your Information

We are committed to ensuring your data is protected from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. Your personal information is securely stored and protected by measures including password-protected databases, firewalls, and spyware detection software. Access to this personal information is limited.

If we collect sensitive information, we will treat it with the utmost security and confidentiality. We will ensure it is not collected for any purposes other than those for which we have obtained your consent, unless the law requires otherwise.

Some personal information is required by law to be retained for a period of seven (7) years. We may destroy or permanently delete your personal information once it is no longer needed or required to be kept by law.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Accessing and Correcting Your Information You have the right to access your personal information and to request that it be corrected so that it remains accurate, up-to-date, and complete. To do so, please contact our Privacy Officer. We may on occasion need to deny access to information in accordance with exemptions contained in the Act.

Opting Out of Direct Marketing You may opt out of receiving direct marketing information by contacting our Privacy Officer.

Making a Complaint If you believe that we have committed a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles, you may make a complaint in writing to our Privacy Officer. Upon receipt of a complaint, we will work with you to resolve the issue. If a resolution cannot be reached, the services of an independent external mediation agency may be engaged.

7. Contact Us

For more information about our Privacy Policy, to access or correct your information, or to make a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer:

  • Email: office@energyskillsaustralia.com.au
  • Phone: 02 6100 2147
  • Mail: PO Box 431, Hall, ACT, 2618

We may modify this Policy from time to time. You should periodically review this document to ensure you have read and agree with our most up-to-date Privacy Policy. Our Privacy Policy can be found at www.energyskillsaustralia.com.au.