Privacy statement

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) has a firm commitment to privacy in accordance with the Guidelines for Federal and ACT Government World Wide Websites issued by the Australian Privacy Commissioner . This statement discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for this website. All officers of Defence Housing Australia (DHA ) are subject to the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988.

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is an agency as defined by the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and must comply with the 11 Information Privacy Principles (IPPs) contained in section 14 of the Act.

The Information Privacy Principles govern how personal information is collected, stored, used and disclosed. The IPPs also require that people should have a right of access to the information that agencies hold about them, and to correct it if necessary, subject to any exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

To provide our clients with the best available service, DHA will provide as many services as possible on-line. This policy will be progressively implemented. However, clients who prefer to deal with DHA by traditional means may continue to do so and will not be disadvantaged.

In preparing this privacy policy, DHA seeks to adhere to the Guidelines for Federal and ACT Government Websites published by the Privacy Commissioner and available at http://www.privacy.gov.au/internet/web/index.html

Collection of personal information

This site is operated by DHA and the connection to the Internet is managed by a company that specialises in security services. When you look at this website our server makes a record of your visit in a log. The following information is provided by your browser and may be logged for statistical purposes and is used by DHA to help improve the site:

• User's server address;
• User's operating system (for example Windows, Macintosh);
• User's top level domain name (for example, .com, .au, .uk);
• Date and time of the visit to the website;
• Pages accessed and the documents downloaded;
• Previous website visited; and
• Type of browser used.

No attempt will be made to identify users or their browsing activities except in the unlikely event of a security or other investigation, where we may inspect the logs. A law enforcement agency or other government agency may exercise a legal authority to inspect the logs (the legal authority could be a warrant, subpoena or notice to produce).

When you complete an on-line form, for example, personal information can be collected from you. The following applies to the collection of personal information:

• The collection will be by fair and lawful means and with your consent;
• The information will be used for a lawful purpose;
• The purpose for the collection should be clear and explicit; and
• You will be told if it is DHA's usual practice to pass the information to another person, body or agency.

DHA uses a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that allows DHA to record and resolve all interactions with our customers. The objective of the CRM is to optimise the service the Authority provides to its customers.

Electronic mail addresses

We will only record your email address if you send us a message. It will only be used for the purpose for which you provide it, and will not be added to a mailing list unless you request that this be done. We will not disclose it without your consent.

Cookies

Cookies are records of information that a website can transfer to a browser's computer hard drive for record keeping. Cookies can make websites easier to use by storing information about your preferences in relation to a particular website. The information remains on your computer after the Internet session is finished.

DHA does not store personal information in cookies, however, cookies are used to maintain your Internet session.

Security of information

You should be aware that there may be inherent risks associated with the transmission of information over the Internet. If you are submitting personal details, credit card numbers, or other information over the Internet which you wish to remain private, please note that, while all attempts are made to secure information transmitted to this website, there is a possibility that information you submit could be observed by a third party while in transit.

For those who do not wish to use the Internet, DHA provides alternative ways of obtaining and providing information.

Links to other websites

This site contains links to other websites. DHA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these sites.

Contact details

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this website, or your dealings with this website, you can contact:

Marketing Communication Manager
Defence Housing Australia
26 Brisbane Ave
BARTON ACT 2600

Email:communications@dha.gov.au

Users of this Internet website are also directed to our Copyright and Disclaimer notices.