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Privacy

Privacy Policy

The LOTE Agency is committed to providing quality services to you and ensuring your privacy is protected. This policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we collect, use, store, and manage your personal information in the context of our projects and stakeholders. We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act) and relevant guidelines from The Research Society Australia.

A copy of the APPs can be accessed at the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

What is Personal Information and Why Do We Collect It?

Personal Information refers to information or opinions that identify an individual. Examples of Personal Information we may collect include:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Demographic information (e.g., cultural background, language spoken at home)

We collect this information in various ways, including interviews, surveys, correspondence, by telephone, email, our website (www.loteagency.com.au), or from third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the following purposes:

  • To provide services to you and our clients.
  • To include your input in research projects that shape services and policies.
  • To contact you with opportunities to participate in future projects.
  • For marketing purposes, where consent is provided.

You may unsubscribe from our communications at any time by contacting us at info@loteagency.com.au.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive Information, as defined by the Privacy Act, includes details about:

  • Racial or ethnic origin
  • Political opinions
  • Religious beliefs
  • Membership in unions or professional associations
  • Health or disability information

We only collect Sensitive Information with your explicit consent or when required by law.

Data Collection from Third Parties

Where practicable, we collect your information directly from you. However, we may also obtain information from publicly available sources or third parties. When this occurs, we will take reasonable steps to inform you of the collection and its intended use.

How Do We Protect Your Information?

Your Personal Information is securely stored using appropriate physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards to protect it from unauthorised access, misuse, or disclosure. We retain your information only for as long as it is required to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law. If it is no longer needed, we will take steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.

Disclosure of Information

We will only disclose your Personal Information:

  • To third parties with your consent (e.g., project partners for specific opportunities).
  • Where required or authorised by law.

We adhere to strict guidelines from The Research Society Australia to ensure your information is anonymised in reporting, so individuals cannot be identified.

Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

You have the right to request access to the Personal Information we hold about you. You can also request corrections if you believe your information is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. To access or update your information, please contact us at info@loteagency.com.au. There are no fees for access requests, though administrative costs may apply for copies of records.

Participant Anonymity and Consent

Participation in our research projects is voluntary, and your responses are anonymised unless you provide explicit consent for specific purposes (e.g., future contact for related research).

We follow the principles of ethical research, treating participants with respect, maintaining high standards, and ensuring your data is used responsibly via Qualtrics which is an accredited and secure external research platform. Access more information on how we manage our research and participant data via our FAQ’s for Research Participants resource.

Privacy Complaints

If you have any concerns about how we manage your information or wish to make a complaint, please contact us:

We take all privacy concerns seriously and will address your complaint promptly in accordance with the Privacy Act. For more details on the collection of information in relation to client projects delivered by The LOTE Agency, please refer to our comprehensive policy document here.

Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in regulations or organisational practices. The most current version will always be available on our website.

For further details on how we safeguard your privacy, refer to The Research Society’s Privacy Guidelines.

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