Privacy Policy
At Switch Accounting, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and protect personal information in connection with our website and our professional services, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
Effective Date: 30 September 2025
Last Updated: 30 September 2025
About this policy (APP 1)
This policy describes the kinds of personal information we collect, the purposes for which we collect it, how we hold and protect it, and how you can access or correct your information or make a privacy complaint. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us using the details at the end.
Information we collect
Personal information you provide to us
We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:
- Contact information: name, email address, phone number, business address
- Business information: company name, industry, ABN (if provided), financial information relevant to the engagement
- Communication records: notes of consultations, emails, forms and phone conversations
- Financial data: business financial statements, tax documents and related financial information (collected with your authority and only as necessary for the services)
Information we collect automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- Technical information: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs
- Website usage data: pages visited, time on page, click and scroll activity
- Cookies and similar technologies: used to operate the site, improve performance and understand usage
How we use personal information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
- Providing services: delivering accounting, BAS/tax and advisory services
- Communication: responding to enquiries, scheduling appointments and sending service updates
- Service improvement: analysing usage to improve our services and website
- Legal and regulatory compliance: meeting professional and statutory obligations
- Direct marketing: sending relevant updates or insights (you may opt out at any time)
Disclosure of personal information
We do not sell personal information. We may disclose personal information to:
- Professional and regulatory bodies: where required under Australian law and professional standards
- Service providers: trusted third parties who help us deliver our services (for example, hosting, email, analytics and document management providers) under confidentiality obligations
- Advisers and insurers: professional advisers, auditors and insurers where reasonably necessary
- Legal requirements: courts, regulators or law enforcement where required or authorised by law
- Business transactions: potential acquirers in connection with a merger or sale, under appropriate safeguards
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in these limited circumstances:
- Professional Obligations: With regulatory bodies as required by accounting standards and Australian law
- Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist in providing our services (under strict confidentiality agreements)
- Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect our legal rights
- Business Transfer: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets
Storage and security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure, including:
- Encryption: encryption in transit and at rest where appropriate
- Access controls: role-based access and need-to-know permissions
- Safeguards: secure backups and periodic risk assessments
- Third-party due diligence: contractual commitments and security reviews for key suppliers
Some information may be stored using reputable cloud providers. These providers may host or process information in data centres located outside Australia (for example, in the United States, the European Union or Asia-Pacific). Where we disclose personal information overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure recipients handle it in accordance with the APPs (APP 8).
Your privacy rights (APP 12 and 13)
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: request that we update or correct inaccurate information
- Deletion: request deletion where no longer required (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Direct marketing: opt out of direct marketing communications at any time
To make a request, contact us using the details below. We may ask you to verify your identity and will respond within a reasonable period (generally within 30 days).
Cookies and website analytics
Our website uses cookies to:
- Essential cookies: enable core site functionality
- Analytics cookies: help us understand how visitors use the site
- Performance cookies: improve speed and functionality
You can control cookies through your browser settings or opt-out mechanisms provided by some third parties. Blocking certain cookies may impact site functionality.
Anonymity and pseudonymity (APP 2)
Where practicable, you may interact with us anonymously or using a pseudonym (for example, when making a general enquiry). However, for most professional services we will need your accurate identity details to meet our obligations.
Sensitive information (APP 3, 6)
We only collect sensitive information (for example, information about health or membership of a professional association) with your consent or where required or authorised by law, and only where necessary for our services.
Government identifiers (APP 9)
We do not use government-related identifiers (such as TFNs) as our own identifiers. Where TFNs or similar identifiers are handled in the course of providing services, we do so in accordance with applicable laws and guidance.
Professional Confidentiality
As registered tax practitioners and accounting professionals, we maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with:
- Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) Code of Professional Conduct
- Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
- Professional accounting standards
Data retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to:
- provide ongoing services to you
- comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- resolve disputes and enforce agreements
Generally, we retain client records for 7 years after the completion of services, as required by Australian tax law and professional standards.
Cross-border disclosure (APP 8)
If we disclose personal information to recipients outside Australia, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the overseas recipient does not breach the APPs in relation to that information.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be notified by:
- posting the updated policy on our website
- notifying existing clients by email, where appropriate
- providing notice during our next service interaction
Contact us
If you have questions, concerns, requests to access or correct your information, or if you wish to make a complaint, please contact us:
Switch Accounting
Email: info@switchaccounting.com.au
Phone: +61 433 717 737
Hours: 9am-5:30pm AEDT
If your privacy concern is not resolved, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): see www.oaic.gov.au.