Privacy Policy

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

The Smart Energy Council (“Smart Energy Council”, “we”, “our” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store and protect personal information when you interact with us, including through:

• our websites;
• membership services;
• events and conferences;
• training and accreditation programs;
• advocacy campaigns;
• newsletters;
• social media;
• online forms; and
• any other services we provide.

We are committed to complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

Where applicable, we also comply with other Australian legislation including:

• Spam Act 2003 (Cth)
• Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme
• Do Not Call Register Act 2006 (Cth)

By using our website or providing your personal information, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

Depending on your interaction with us, we may collect:

Identity information

• Name
• Organisation
• Job title
• Member number

Contact information

• Email address
• Telephone number
• Postal address
• State or postcode

Membership information

• Membership applications
• Membership history
• Committee participation
• Event registrations
• Training participation
• Accreditation information

Payment information

Where applicable we may collect payment information for memberships, events or services.

Payment card information is generally processed securely by third-party payment providers and is not stored on our servers.

Website information

When you use our website we may automatically collect information such as:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Operating system
• Pages viewed
• Time spent on pages
• Referring website
• Search terms used
• Date and time of access

Communications

We may collect information you provide when you:

• contact us;
• submit enquiries;
• complete forms;
• participate in surveys;
• register for webinars;
• attend events;
• subscribe to newsletters;
• participate in campaigns.

3. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information directly from you when you:

• become a member;
• subscribe to communications;
• purchase tickets;
• register for conferences;
• apply for training or accreditation;
• complete online forms;
• contact us by email or telephone;
• attend Smart Energy Council events;
• participate in advocacy campaigns;
• interact with our social media pages.

We may also collect information automatically through our website using cookies and analytics technologies.

Where lawful, we may also receive information from trusted third parties including:

• event partners;
• payment providers;
• industry partners;
• government agencies;
• publicly available sources.

4. Why We Collect Your Information

We collect personal information so we can:

• manage memberships;
• provide member services;
• administer committees and working groups;
• deliver conferences and events;
• administer training and accreditation;
• respond to enquiries;
• communicate industry news and policy updates;
• manage advocacy campaigns;
• improve our website and services;
• process payments;
• meet legal obligations;
• protect our systems and users;
• recruit employees and contractors.

We may also use information for other purposes where permitted by law or where you have provided consent.

5. Direct Marketing

We may send newsletters, event invitations, industry updates and promotional communications where:

• you have requested them;
• you have an existing relationship with us; or
• we are otherwise permitted under Australian law.

You can unsubscribe at any time by:

• clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails; or
• contacting us.

We do not knowingly send unsolicited commercial electronic messages contrary to the Spam Act.

6. Who We Share Information With

We may disclose personal information to trusted third parties where reasonably necessary to provide our services or operate our organisation. These may include:

• cloud hosting and IT service providers;
• website developers and digital agencies;
• customer relationship management (CRM) providers;
• email marketing and communications platforms;
• payment processors;
• event registration and ticketing providers;
• webinar and video hosting platforms;
• website analytics providers;
• advertising and social media platforms;
• professional advisers, including legal, accounting and insurance advisers;
• government agencies, regulators and law enforcement authorities where required or authorised by law.

Our current third-party service providers may include (but are not limited to):

These providers may process or store personal information on our behalf in Australia or overseas. We take reasonable steps to ensure that third-party providers maintain appropriate privacy and security safeguards.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Artificial Intelligence Services

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools and services to assist with activities such as drafting communications, analysing information, improving operational efficiency, supporting customer service, generating content and enhancing our services.

Where AI services are used:

• we take reasonable steps to avoid providing unnecessary personal information to AI platforms;
• we implement appropriate governance and security practices when using AI technologies;
• AI-generated content is subject to human review where appropriate before publication or use in decision-making;
• we do not rely solely on AI to make decisions that have legal or similarly significant effects on individuals.

Our AI service providers may include platforms such as OpenAI (ChatGPT), Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, Microsoft Copilot or other comparable technologies.

Where these services process information on our behalf, they do so in accordance with their own privacy policies and applicable laws.

7. Website Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, improve your browsing experience, analyse website performance and, where applicable, support our communications and marketing activities.

For detailed information about the cookies and similar technologies we use, the types of information they collect, how you can manage your cookie preferences, and your choices regarding cookies, please refer to our Cookie Notice.

Cookie Notice: https://smartenergy.org.au/cookie-notice (or the final URL where it will be published).

By continuing to use our website, you acknowledge that cookies may be used in accordance with this Privacy Policy and our Cookie Notice.

8. Website Analytics and Advertising Technologies 

We use analytics and advertising technologies to better understand how visitors use our website, improve user experience and measure the effectiveness of our communications and campaigns.

These technologies may include:

• Google Analytics 4
• Meta Pixel
• Bitly analytics
• HubSpot analytics
• other similar website analytics and reporting tools.

These services may collect information such as:

• IP address;
• browser type;
• device information;
• operating system;
• pages viewed;
• referral sources;
• session duration;
• interactions with website content;
• clicks and conversions.

Much of this information is collected in aggregated or pseudonymised form and does not directly identify you.

You can learn more about Google’s privacy practices at:
https://policies.google.com/privacy

You can manage many advertising preferences through your browser settings or by visiting the relevant advertising platform’s privacy controls.

9. Embedded Content and Third-Party Services 

Our website may contain embedded or integrated third-party content and services, including videos, webinars, forms, maps, social media feeds and event registration pages.

These services may include:

• YouTube
• Vimeo
• Eventbrite
• HubSpot
• Microsoft services
• LinkedIn
• Meta (Facebook and Instagram)

When you interact with embedded content, those providers may collect information directly from your browser, including through cookies and similar technologies, in accordance with their own privacy policies.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites or services before providing personal information.

10. Comments and User Content

Where our website allows comments or other public submissions, we may collect:

• your name;
• email address;
• IP address;
• browser information;
• the content you submit.

Comments may be screened using automated spam detection services.

Any information you publish publicly may be visible to other users.

11. Member Accounts

If you create an account on our website, we store information associated with your account so we can provide member services.

You may update your account information at any time.

12. How Long We Keep Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• provide our services;
• administer memberships;
• meet legal obligations;
• resolve disputes;
• maintain business records.

When information is no longer required, it is securely destroyed or de-identified where practicable.

13. Overseas Disclosure

Some of our technology providers, cloud services or software platforms may store or process information outside Australia.

Where personal information is transferred overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place consistent with Australian privacy laws.

14. Security

We take reasonable technical, administrative and physical measures to protect personal information against:

• unauthorised access;
• misuse;
• interference;
• loss;
• modification; and
• disclosure.

Security measures may include:

• encrypted website connections (SSL/TLS);
• secure hosting;
• access controls;
• authentication;
• staff training;
• regular software updates;
• monitoring and security procedures.

No internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

15. Data Breaches

If an eligible data breach occurs that is likely to result in serious harm, we will comply with the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme under the Privacy Act.

Where required, we will:

• notify affected individuals as soon as practicable;
• notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC);
• provide information about the breach;
• explain actions taken to contain it; and
• outline recommended steps individuals can take.

16. Accessing or Correcting Your Information

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you.

You may also request correction of inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information.

Requests should be made using the contact details below.

We may require proof of identity before processing requests.

17. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to Australian law, you may have the right to:

• access your personal information;
• request corrections;
• withdraw consent where applicable;
• opt out of marketing communications;
• make a privacy complaint.

18. International Visitors

Our website is intended primarily for users in Australia.

If personal information of individuals located overseas (including the European Union or United Kingdom) is collected, we will process that information in accordance with applicable laws where required.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

19. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites.

We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

20. Changes to this Privacy Policy

As our technology platforms, services and business operations evolve, we may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our information handling practices or legal obligations. Any updates will be published on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. 

21. Privacy Complaints

If you believe we have breached the Privacy Act or mishandled your personal information, please contact us.

We will investigate your complaint and respond within a reasonable period.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

https://www.oaic.gov.au

22. Contact Us

Privacy Officer
Smart Energy Council
PO Box 2315
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia

Email: info@smartenergy.org.au

Phone: 1300 768 204