Privacy Policy
HomeStart Finance ('HomeStart') is committed to the protection of your right to privacy. HomeStart has stringent privacy policies and procedures in place to ensure that your personal information and privacy is protected.
HomeStart complies with the South Australian Department for Families and Communities Code of Fair Information Practice ('Code'). The principles in the Code are similar to the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) ('Act'). In addition, HomeStart complies with the requirements of Part IIIA of the Act (which regulates credit providers and credit reporting) and the Credit Reporting Code of Conduct under the Act.
Privacy online - StartDreams
In this Privacy Policy, StartDreams Online Services ('StartDreams') refers to any services provided by HomeStart related to StartDreams via the Internet (including email).
As a registered StartDreams user, we collect, use, disclose and hold personal information about you. Your 'personal information' is any information that is capable of identifying you.
This Policy is intended to cover most of the ways that personal information is generally handled by HomeStart, but is by no means exhaustive. If you have any queries about HomeStart's management of your personal information, please contact HomeStart for further information.
Automatic server logs
When you visit the StartDreams website, our web server collects the following information for statistical and customer service purposes:
- the numbers of users who have visited StartDreams
- the date and time that users have visited the website
- the number of pages viewed and Dreams started
- the type of browser and operating system software you are using
HomeStart makes no attempt to identify you or to track or monitor your browsing activities from the above information. We only use this information to improve the performance of the StartDreams website and HomeStart's services.
The types of personal information that HomeStart may collect upon your registration through StartDreams and through the 'Start a Dream' section of the site includes your name, email address, telephone number, gender, marital status, racial or ethnic origin (to determine eligibility for specific loan types), income, debt, and rental costs. HomeStart will use some of this personal information to contact you (if you choose to be contacted), and for other related purposes within your reasonable expectations. The main use of the income, debt and rental costs data entered into the 'Start a Dream' section of the site is to determine a potential home loan borrowing amount, repayment amount, and contribution required so that you can calculate your savings goal.
Security
When indicated, HomeStart uses encryption and security technology (such as the Secure Sockets Layer ('SSL') standard, which encrypts information so that it cannot be viewed by another party as it is transmitted through the Internet) to protect any personal information you provide to HomeStart while it is in transit to or from the StartDreams website. This includes information that is supplied in any polls or responses to other marketing research methods.
You acknowledge that, if you provide any personal information to HomeStart via StartDreams (including email), or if we provide such information to you by such means, the privacy, security and integrity of this information cannot be guaranteed during its transmission unless HomeStart has indicated to you beforehand that a particular transmission of information will be protected (for example, by SSL, as outlined above).
Cookies
HomeStart uses pixels, or transparent GIF files, to help manage online advertising. These GIF files are provided by our ad management partner, DoubleClick. These files enable DoubleClick to recognise a unique cookie on your Web browser, which in turn enables us to learn which advertisements bring users to our website. The cookie is placed by us, or by another advertiser who works with DoubleClick. With both cookies and Spotlight technology, the information that we collect and share is anonymous and not personally identifiable. It does not contain your name, address, telephone number, or email address. For more information about DoubleClick, including information about how to opt out of these technologies, go to
http://www.doubleclick.net/us/corporate/privacy.
Other online services
If there are any links contained in StartDreams to other online services that are not maintained by HomeStart ('Other Services'), or if Other Services link to StartDreams, we are not responsible for the content of those Other Services or the privacy practices of the organisations that operate them, and by providing such links we do not endorse or approve the Other Services. This Privacy Policy applies only in respect of StartDreams.
Collection of personal information
When collecting your personal information, HomeStart takes reasonable steps to make you aware of the purposes for which the information is being collected, the organisations to which HomeStart would usually disclose your information, legal obligations (if any) requiring HomeStart to collect the information, and any consequences if you fail to provide any requested information.
HomeStart limits personal information collected to that which is necessary for HomeStart's functions or activities. When reasonable and practicable, HomeStart only collects your personal information directly from you.
If you do not provide the personal information requested by HomeStart, we may be unable to assist you (for example, we may not be able to approve any application you make for a HomeStart Loan).
HomeStart may collect personal information from you in a number of circumstances, including:
- when you apply for a HomeStart Loan
- when you respond to HomeStart's marketing activities (such as surveys, email campaigns or polls)
- when you contact HomeStart: for example, to enquire about HomeStart's products or services
The personal information that HomeStart may collect includes your name, address, telephone number, and birth date. We may also collect other personal information (such as any credit defaults that may have been recorded about you by a credit reporting agency) in connection with the ongoing management of your HomeStart loan/s.
Sometimes HomeStart may need to collect sensitive information about you, which may include information about your racial/ethnic origin or your health. However, HomeStart will not collect sensitive information unless you have consented or we are otherwise permitted to collect this information under the Code or by law.
Use of personal information
HomeStart will generally only use your personal information for the purpose for which it was collected, and for related purposes that are within your reasonable expectations. HomeStart will seek your consent prior to using or disclosing your personal information for another purpose.
Your personal information may be used in market research studies to analyse products/customer needs and develop new products, although we will use de-identified information for these purposes when possible. If you respond to a poll, survey or questionnaire, HomeStart will use that information to improve HomeStart's services or the products HomeStart offers to customers. Personal information collected in these circumstances will not be disclosed to any third parties and will be used for HomeStart's internal marketing and research purposes only.
Your personal information may also be used to enable HomeStart to offer you products or services that are relevant to your financial circumstances if you select to be contacted by HomeStart.
If HomeStart collects sensitive information from you, that information will be used in a considerate manner by HomeStart and will be securely and privately stored.
Storage of personal information
HomeStart takes reasonable steps to store your personal information securely, and has policies and procedures in place that are intended to ensure that your personal information is not misplaced or misused, and that unauthorised access to, or modification or disclosure of, your personal information does not occur.
Complaints
If you believe that a breach of your privacy has occurred, we encourage you to contact HomeStart to discuss your concerns.
Contact information
HomeStart Finance
153 Flinders Street
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5000
Ph: (08) 8203 4777 or (08) 8203 4718;
Fax: (08) 8203 4001;
Internet: www.homestart.com.au
Contact: www.homestart.com.au/contact