1. About this policy
This privacy policy explains how Shaw Mackenzie Architects Pty Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”) collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information when you visit shawmackenziearchitects.site, contact us about our architecture and building design services, or otherwise interact with our business in Melbourne VIC and across Australia.
We handle personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
2. Personal information we collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
- Your name and, where relevant, the name of your organisation or practice;
- Your email address, when you write to us or submit an enquiry or quote request;
- Your project location and suburb, where you ask us about services in a particular area;
- Details of your project, such as the site address, site type, budget range and intended timeline, where you provide them voluntarily;
- Information you choose to include in messages, forms or documents you send to us;
- Technical information such as browser type, device type and pages visited, collected automatically when you browse our website.
We do not collect sensitive information (such as health or biometric information) through this website, and we ask that you do not send us sensitive information unless it is genuinely necessary for your project.
3. How we collect personal information
We collect personal information directly from you when you:
- Submit an enquiry or quote request through our website forms;
- Send us an email;
- Speak with us about a prospective or current project;
- Provide documents, drawings or briefs relating to your project.
We may also collect limited technical information automatically through cookies and similar technologies when you browse our website.
4. Why we collect and use personal information
We collect, hold and use personal information to:
- Respond to enquiries and prepare quotes for architecture and building design services;
- Provide architectural and building design services, including consultations, design development, documentation and project coordination;
- Communicate with you about your project, appointments and deliverables;
- Manage our business operations, records and professional obligations;
- Improve our website and services;
- Comply with applicable Australian laws and regulations.
We will not use or disclose your personal information for direct marketing purposes without a lawful basis under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and you may ask us at any time to stop contacting you for marketing purposes.
5. Disclosure of personal information
We do not sell or rent personal information. We may disclose personal information only:
- To service providers who assist us in operating our business, such as website hosting, email and cloud storage providers, subject to confidentiality obligations;
- To consultants engaged on your project (for example land surveyors, structural engineers, building surveyors or town planners) where disclosure is necessary to deliver the services you have requested;
- To relevant authorities where required or authorised by law, such as under planning or building legislation;
- With your consent, or where otherwise permitted under the Australian Privacy Principles.
Some of our service providers may store data on servers located outside Australia. Where that occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure the recipient handles personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
6. Cookies and website analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to understand how visitors use the site and to improve its performance. Cookies are small files stored on your device. You can configure your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being used; however, some parts of the website may not function fully without them.
7. Security of personal information
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information we hold from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. These steps include limiting access to personal information to team members and service providers who need it, and using password-protected systems and reputable hosting services.
No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of information sent to us online.
8. Access and correction
You may request access to the personal information we hold about you, and ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading. To make a request, please email us using the details below. We will respond within a reasonable period and may need to verify your identity before providing access. There is no charge for making a request; however, we may charge a reasonable fee for providing a copy of the information.
9. Complaints and enquiries
If you have a concern about how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can investigate and respond. We take privacy complaints seriously and will aim to resolve them promptly.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) via its website at www.oaic.gov.au.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The current version will always be published on this page, together with the date of the most recent revision.
11. How to contact us
For any questions, requests or complaints regarding privacy, please contact:
Shaw Mackenzie Architects Pty Ltd
ABN 96 702 678 064
Melbourne VIC, Australia
Email: ceo@shawmackenziearchitects.site
Last updated: 1 January 2025.