Privacy & trust

Privacy Policy

How HOBC intends to collect, use, disclose and safeguard personal information.

Last reviewed: 22 October 2026. This policy describes intended website privacy practices and should be checked against HOBC's actual operations and systems before publication.

1. Who we are

Home Owners Benefit Club (HOBC) operates this website and facilitates enquiries about member benefits and business partnerships. Contact: info@homeobc.com.au; (03) 9071 2451; 216/566 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. The legal operating entity and ABN should be confirmed in the site's final compliance review.

2. Applicable privacy framework

Where applicable, HOBC handles personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and other relevant Australian laws. Whether all APP obligations apply depends on the operator's circumstances. We aim to apply transparent, reasonable privacy safeguards regardless.

3. Information collected

We may collect names, contact details, organisation names, ABNs, industry, enquiry content, consent records and correspondence. We may also receive technical information such as IP address, device/browser details, website usage and server logs. We request only information reasonably needed for the stated purpose. Please do not submit identification documents, credit information or sensitive personal information through general enquiry fields.

4. How information is collected

Information may be provided through website forms, email, telephone, direct business communications or interactions with participating partners. Basic technical information may be generated when using our website. Third-party services, such as embedded Google Maps, may collect data under their own policies.

5. Why information is used

We use information to respond to enquiries, assess partnership suitability, manage communications, coordinate permitted referrals, administer relationships, improve our services, maintain security and meet legal obligations. Direct marketing is undertaken only where lawful and subject to applicable consent and opt-out requirements, including the Spam Act 2003 (Cth).

6. Disclosures to third parties

Where reasonably required, information may be shared with authorised staff, service providers supporting website hosting or communications, professional advisers, regulators and participating providers where an introduction is requested or otherwise permitted. We do not promise that every third-party provider is subject to the same privacy policy; their policies should be reviewed separately.

7. Overseas disclosures

Hosting, email, analytics or other providers may process information outside Australia. Before using overseas providers, HOBC should identify relevant countries and take steps required by APP 8 where applicable. Specific overseas processing arrangements must be confirmed before publication.

8. Security and retention

We seek to use reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect information against misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. No internet transmission is completely secure. We retain personal information only for legitimate business or legal needs and take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it when no longer required, subject to applicable retention obligations.

9. Access and correction

Individuals may contact us to request access to or correction of their personal information. We will respond in accordance with applicable law and may need to verify identity before acting.

10. Complaints

Privacy concerns may be sent to info@homeobc.com.au with details of the issue. We will assess the concern and respond within a reasonable period. If unresolved, eligible individuals may complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.

11. Cookies and embedded services

Our website may use essential session storage to avoid repeatedly showing the launch announcement. Embedded maps, remote images and externally hosted fonts may involve requests to third-party servers. Additional analytics, advertising pixels or cookies must be separately disclosed if introduced.

12. Notifiable data breaches

Where the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme applies, eligible data breaches will be assessed and notifications made as required under the Privacy Act.

13. Changes

This policy may be updated as HOBC's services, systems and legal obligations evolve. The current version will be posted on this page.

Pre-publication requirement: Verify the operating entity, actual data processors, overseas disclosure locations, privacy contact, retention practices and any marketing technologies with Australian legal/privacy advisers. A published policy must accurately reflect real operations.

Further privacy and information-handling practices

This notice is intended to describe HOBC website and partner-enquiry practices under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), and other applicable Australian laws. Its application depends on the identity and obligations of the operating entity. HOBC must verify this policy against its actual operations before publication.

Collection, sources and purposes

We may collect names, business and contact details, ABNs, proposed partner services, correspondence, consent records, referral information and technical website data. Information is collected directly from enquiry forms, communications and, where lawful, referrals or publicly available business records. We use it to respond to enquiries, assess prospective partnerships, administer offers, conduct due diligence, prevent misuse, meet legal duties and maintain security. We do not require sensitive information in general website forms; please do not send identification documents, health information or financial account credentials through them.

Notice, choice and direct marketing

Required fields are identified on forms. You may decline optional details, although this may limit our ability to assess an application. We send commercial electronic messages only where permitted under the Spam Act 2003 (Cth), including applicable consent and unsubscribe requirements. You can opt out of marketing at any time by contacting us.

Disclosure and partner referrals

We may disclose relevant information to contracted technology, hosting, communications, legal, accounting and professional advisers, and to a prospective partner or service provider where reasonably necessary and lawful. We will seek appropriate consent before sharing personal details for a specific referral where required. We do not promise that all participating partners are regulated or approved by HOBC; customers should review the actual supplier and offer terms.

Overseas processing

Website infrastructure, email and other suppliers may store or access data overseas. Before deployment, HOBC must identify relevant countries and suppliers, and take any steps required by APP 8 and related rules. Contact us for the current list of overseas recipients and locations, where known.

Security, retention and eligible data breaches

We use reasonable organisational and technical safeguards proportionate to the data and risk, including restricted access, transport security where configured, and retention limits. Information is retained only as long as required for the purposes collected and applicable legal obligations, then securely deleted or de-identified where reasonable. If an eligible data breach occurs, we will assess and notify affected people and the OAIC as required under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

Access, correction and complaints

You may request access to or correction of personal information by contacting the privacy officer through the published contact details. We may need to verify identity and may refuse requests only where permitted by law, explaining the reason where required. Complaints will be investigated and answered within a reasonable period. If dissatisfied, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au.

Cookies, analytics and external links

Our site may use essential browser storage and third-party embedded content such as maps and images. Optional analytics or advertising cookies should not be activated without appropriate disclosures and controls. External websites have their own privacy practices. Do not assume their policies match ours.

Financial services and credit referrals

HOBC membership or partnership does not itself provide a credit licence, financial product advice or guaranteed financial benefits. Where credit or financial products are involved, relevant licensed entities must provide any legally required credit guides, disclosures, consent requests and privacy notices. Any referral fee or commission must comply with applicable licensing, disclosure and conflicts requirements.

Policy changes

We may update this policy to reflect legal or operational changes. Material changes will be published on this page with an updated effective date. This policy should be reviewed by Australian legal and privacy advisers before public launch.