Privacy Policy

  1. Introduction
  2. What Is Personal Information And Why Do We Collect It
  3. Sensitive Information
  4. Third Parties
  5. Disclosure Of Personal Information
  6. Security Of Personal Information
  7. Access To Your Personal Information
  8. Maintaining The Quality Of Your Personal Information
  9. Privacy Policy Complaints And Enquiries
  10. Last Updated

1. Introduction

The Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The APPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.

2.What Is Personal Information And Why Do We Collect It

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone, and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including [interviews, correspondence, our membership details, telephone, email, our website www.wioa.org.au, from your website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources,] and from third parties.

We do not guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our members and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing. 

When we collect Personal Information, we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

3. Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record, or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

  • For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
  • For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
  • With your consent; or where required or authorised by law

4. Third Parties

All were reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

5. Disclosure Of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

  • Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure
  • Where required or authorised by law

6. Security Of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information.

However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

7. Access To Your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

The Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) will not charge any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

8. Maintaining The Quality Of Your Personal Information

It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete, and up to date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

9. Privacy Policy Complaints And Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at
[email protected].

10. Last Updated

Lead Author: CEO
Approver: WIOA Ltd Board
Date endorsed: May 2024
Date reviewed: May 2027
Timeframe for next review: 3 years

Normal web site usage statement

You can visit our web site at www.wioa.org.au and view information about WIOA, its services and events, corporate partners, view archived conference papers etc, without telling WIOA who you are and without revealing any personal information. When users visit our web site, we track only the following information:

  • Internet Service Provider
  • Pages requested by each user
  • Time and date of user requests

Tracking or passive information collection technologies
A cookie is a small text file that is stored on a user’s computer for record-keeping purposes. We use cookies on the WIOA website. We do not link the information we store in cookies to any personally identifiable information you submit while on our site. We use session ID cookies to make it easier for you to navigate our site. A session ID cookie expires when you close you browser. If you reject cookies, you may still use our site, but your ability to use some areas of our site will be limited.

External sites
You may be able to access external websites from the WIOA site by clicking on links we have provided.  Those websites are not subject to this privacy policy and we are not responsible for their privacy practices or the content of such other websites.  You should contact those websites directly to ascertain their privacy standards, policies and procedures.