Privacy policy

Personal information

ActewAGL attaches a high importance to protecting its customers' privacy and maintaining the security of their personal information.

Personal information is information or an opinion, relating to an identifiable person, for example, a name and home address.

ActewAGL's commitment to privacy

ActewAGL adheres to the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), which govern the way personal information is collected, recorded, stored, used and disclosed. ActewAGL is also bound by contracts with its customers.

ActewAGL uses the personal information it obtains from customers to provide the service that customers have requested and to communicate effectively with customers in delivering that service. ActewAGL take all reasonable steps to secure customers' personal information.

ActewAGL will use personal information only for purposes directly related to service delivery or as indicated in the standard customer contract and in publicity directed to customers. Any other use will occur only with the customer's consent or as permitted or required by law. For example, ActewAGL is obliged to provide information sought by taxation authorities.

Disclosure of personal information

Any disclosure of personal information to a third party will be:

• in accordance with the Privacy Act
• as authorised by the terms of the relevant contract between the customer and ActewAGL, or
• with the customer's consent.

ActewAGL may release a customer's personal information where: there is a duty to the public to disclose that information, such as serious threat to public health or safety; it is required by law to release that information; or there is an important public purpose, such as a government need to communicate reliably with customers on a matter of public significance.

ActewAGL may disclose personal information to its related corporate entities. In doing so, ActewAGL will abide by the National Privacy Principles.

There are some circumstances where ActewAGL may be required to supply personal information to third parties. ActewAGL relies on third-party suppliers for product storage and to conduct activities such as mail-outs or market research. Personal information may also be disclosed to third party corporate services such as printing houses, credit agencies, mercantile agents and billing service providers.

The handling of information is covered by confidentiality agreements and ActewAGL ensures that these third parties understand their obligations under the National Privacy Principles.

ActewAGL may also tell customers about new products and services or other marketing offers.

Customers who do not wish to receive marketing offers or be invited to participate in market research should advise ActewAGL on 13 14 93.

Customers' access to their personal information

A customer has a right to view information relating to him or her and have errors (if any) corrected. The customer must provide appropriate identification and documentation in order to make a change, for example, when changing a surname following marriage. To arrange access to personal information customers can call ActewAGL on 13 14 93.

Contacting ActewAGL

If customers have any questions about their rights or obligations they can call ActewAGL's Privacy Contact Officer on 6248 3328. Enquiries can also be made to the Privacy Commissioner by calling 1300 363 992 or to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) on telephone 6207 7740.

Amendments to the Privacy Policy

This policy may be amended from time to time. Updated policies can be obtained from an ActewAGL Homeconnect Store, by calling the Privacy Contact Officer on 6248 3485.

November 2005