Privacy Policy

ADR Support Pty Ltd – website

 

1. Introduction and Commitment

ADR Support Pty Ltd is committed to protecting your privacy and managing your information with the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity. This policy establishes our framework for the handling of Personal Data and Sensitive Information in strict adherence to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) as set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Where applicable to our Victorian operations, we also comply with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) (VPDPA).

This document serves as the final and current privacy policy for ADR Support Pty Ltd, formally replacing all historical policies and references previously held under the name ‘D W Bowe & Associates Pty Ltd’.

The scope of this policy extends to all clients, website visitors, and individuals who engage with our workplace resolution services, including mediations, investigations, and culture reviews.

2. Definitions of Information

To facilitate transparent data management, we categorise information as follows:

Category

Definition and Examples

Personal Data

Information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples include: Name, company name, email address, telephone number, credit card details, billing address, geographic location, IP address, survey responses, support queries, blog comments, and social media handles.

Sensitive Information

A sub-set of personal information afforded higher protection. Examples include: racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union, membership of professional or trade associations, sexual orientation or practices, criminal records, or health information.

Unique Identifiers

An assigned number (usually for operational efficiency) used to uniquely identify an individual. This does not include an identifier consisting solely of an individual’s name and specifically excludes any identifiers as defined within the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

3. Data Collection: Direct and Indirect Methods

Direct Collection

ADR Support Pty Ltd primarily collects Personal Data directly from you. This occurs through formal and informal interactions, including the completion of online forms, website engagement, participation in surveys, structured interviews, and general correspondence via telephone, online meetings, or email.

Indirect Collection

In the course of providing workplace resolution services, we may receive data from third parties, including:

  • Employers or Human Resources departments.
  • Health practitioners or other health providers.
  • Authorised representatives, legal advisors, or family members.
  • Publicly available sources, media, and publications.

When Sensitive Information is collected in the context of providing health-related workplace services, ADR Support Pty Ltd relies on Permitted Health Situations under s16B of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We take reasonable steps to ensure individuals are made aware of information collected via third parties, except where doing so would pose a serious threat to the life or health of any individual.

Unsolicited Personal Information

If we receive Personal Data that was not requested, we will determine within a reasonable period if it could have been lawfully collected under our standard protocols. If the information could not have been lawfully collected, or was obtained through unfair means, we will immediately destroy or de-identify it, unless a legal exception applies.

4. Information Handling for Persons Under 18

Our services are not directed at persons under the age of 18. ADR Support Pty Ltd does not knowingly collect Personal Data from minors. If we become aware that Personal Data has been collected from a child under 18 without verified parental or guardian consent, that information will be deleted as quickly as possible. We invite parents or guardians to contact our Privacy Officer immediately if they suspect such data has been collected.

5. Use of Personal Information

Primary Purpose

We use collected information to deliver our core services, including:

  • Facilitating mediations, investigations, and culture or other reviews.
  • Communicating with stakeholders and providing technical support.
  • Measuring client satisfaction and sharing professional content.
  • Diagnosing website problems and providing a personalised user experience.

Secondary Purpose

Information may be used for related secondary purposes, such as research or the compilation of de-identified statistics, only where the individual would reasonably expect such use or has provided express consent.

Marketing

Marketing communications and newsletters are only sent to those who have specifically subscribed. All such communications include an “opt-out” mechanism. Requests to unsubscribe will be actioned immediately.

Publicly Available Information

Any information you choose to make public on our platforms—such as blog comments or testimonials—will be visible to others. Please note that even if you remove this information, copies may remain viewable in cached or archived pages on other websites or if other users have copied the data.

6. Web Analytics, Cookies, and Pixels

Cookies and Pixels

A cookie is a small file placed in a browser to track behaviour and tailor website configurations. Our cookies do not access Personal Data stored on your computer. While users can reject cookies via browser settings, this may limit website functionality. Pixels may be used to serve relevant advertisements through third-party services like Google Ads or Meta Ads.

Analytics Tools

We may use web analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics) to measure user trends. These tools collect data such as device IP addresses (stored in an anonymised format), search terms, and browser types. This information is used for analytics and business improvement.

Web Server Logs

Our server automatically collects IP addresses and browser information to deliver web pages. This data is also utilised for security audits to protect against hacking and malicious threats.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and New Technology

AI Transparency and Profiling

ADR Support Pty Ltd does not use Artificial Intelligence in automated decision-making processes that infringe upon individual rights. Critically, we do not use AI or automated algorithms for the profiling of individuals or to introduce algorithmic bias into the services we provide.

The way in which ADR Support Pty Ltd may utilise AI will be consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles, ensuring there is transparency about the purpose for which AI may be used, the relevance of using AI, and the enterprise-grade security measures used to protect personal or sensitive information. 

High-Risk Privacy Activity

Any activity deemed a high privacy risk—such as the collection of biometric information or facial recognition—will not be undertaken without either express consent or the completion of a formal Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA).

8. Disclosure of Information

Third-Party Suppliers

Personal Data is disclosed to third-party suppliers only when:

  • Required for payment processing.
  • Necessary to deliver specific services or goods purchased by the client.
  • Required by law (e.g., subpoenas, warrants, or law enforcement requests).
  • Necessary to protect the copyright, trademarks, and other legal rights, property, or safety of ADR Support Pty Ltd, our clients, or third parties.

Change of Control

In the event of a merger, sale, or transfer of assets, client information may be transferred to a purchaser under a strict confidentiality agreement.

Contractor Requirements

All third-party contractors are contractually prohibited from using Personal Data for any purpose other than the specific service they were engaged to provide. They must comply with the privacy standards outlined in this policy.

9. Storage, Security, and Retention

Security Measures

We use secure servers and industry-standard encryption to protect Personal Data from unauthorised access. Credit card information is encrypted before transmission and is never stored on our internal servers.

Cross-Border Transfers

Personal Data may be transferred outside Australia for storage or processing only to countries that maintain adequate privacy protections or where the individual has provided express consent.

Retention

In accordance with legal and governance obligations, Personal Data within client files will be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years. Credit care details are processed directly by payments gateway providers and are not sorted internally. When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it.

Notifiable Data Breach (NDB) Scheme

ADR Support Pty Ltd complies with the Notifiable Data Breach (NDB) scheme. In the event of a security breach where Personal Data is compromised in a way that is likely to result in serious harm, we will promptly notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

10. Access and Correction Rights

You have the right to access and request the correction of the Personal Data we hold about you.

  • Requests: Requests must be made in writing to the Privacy Officer.
  • Verification: We require proof of identity before releasing or correcting information.
  • Fees: No fee is charged for making a request. However, we will advise you of the prescribed administrative fee for providing copies of information, and we may refuse access until this fee is paid.
  • Correction and Statement of Disagreement: If we refuse to correct your information, you have the right to request that we associate a statement with the information claiming that it is inaccurate, out of date, or misleading. We will provide written reasons for any refusal to access or correct information.
  • Timelines: We acknowledge requests within a reasonable period and aim to resolve them within 30 days.

11. Complaints and Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this policy or wish to lodge a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer.

Privacy Officer: Murray Bickerdike Email: murray@adrsupport.com.au Phone: +61 3 9459 0588

Tiered Complaint Process

  1. Direct Contact: Contact ADR Support Pty Ltd directly. We respond to initial enquiries within 48 hours and aim to resolve formal complaints within 30 days.
  2. External Review: If you are unsatisfied with our response, you may contact the relevant regulatory body:
  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
    • Phone: 1300 363 992
    • Website: www.oaic.gov.au
    • Post: GPO Box 5288, Sydney NSW 2001
  • Health Complaints Commissioner (Victoria)
    • Phone: 1300 582 113
    • Website: www.hcc.vic.gov.au
    • Post: Level 26, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

12. Policy Updates

This policy is subject to regular review. Modifications are effective immediately upon being posted to our website.

 

Last Updated: 30 July 2026

 

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