Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 20 October 2025

The Australian Charity for Burundi (ACB) is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information we collect and hold. We adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

This Policy explains how ACB manages the personal information we collect from you through our website, directly, or from third parties.

1. What is Personal Information and Why Do We Collect It?

Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or a reasonably identifiable individual, whether the information or opinion is true or not, and whether it is recorded in a material form or not.

ACB collects personal information that is reasonably necessary for us to carry out our core mission and functions, which include supporting poverty-reducing projects by implementing effective strategies such as resource management, fundraising, and networking.

We collect information for the following purposes (the ‘Primary Purpose’):

  • Processing Donations: To process and receive donations, including issuing tax-deductible receipts.
  • Donor Management and Communication: To keep our supporters informed about our work, appeals, events, and the projects their donations support.
  • Volunteer & Employee Management: To recruit, manage, train, and communicate with our staff and volunteers.
  • Project Management: To coordinate and assess the impact of our projects in Burundi.
  • Compliance: To meet our legal and governance obligations as a registered Australian charity (e.g., ACNC, ATO reporting).
  • Website Improvement: To understand website usage, allowing us to improve user experience and communication effectiveness.

2. What Types of Personal Information Do We Collect?

The types of personal information ACB may collect include:
Category Type of Information
Supporter/Donor Name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, donation history, and contact preferences.
Financial (for Donors) Credit card details (processed securely by third-party payment gateways and not stored by ACB itself) or bank account details for direct debits.
Website IP address, geographical location, web pages viewed, date/time stamps, browser type (via cookies and analytics—see Section 5).
Volunteers/Staff Employment history, qualifications, emergency contact details, and relevant government-issued identifiers where required (e.g., Working with Children Check numbers).

Sensitive Information: We generally do not collect sensitive information (such as political opinions, religious beliefs, or health information) unless it is necessary for a specific function or activity (e.g., a volunteer’s medical condition when travelling for a project), and only with your express consent.

3. How We Collect Personal Information

We collect personal information in several ways:

  • Directly from You: When you donate, sign up for our newsletter, register as a volunteer, participate in an event, or contact us via email, phone, or website forms.
  • Through Our Website: Using technologies like cookies (see Section 5) and website analytics.
  • From Third Parties: We may receive information from third-party fundraising platforms (e.g., online donation processors, event organisers) or from public registers.

Anonymity: You have the option of dealing with ACB anonymously or by using a pseudonym where it is lawful and practicable. For instance, you may be able to make an anonymous donation, but we cannot issue a tax receipt unless we have your name and address.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

ACB will only disclose your personal information for the Primary Purpose for which it was collected, or for a secondary purpose that is related to the Primary Purpose and which you would reasonably expect (e.g., internal research).

We may disclose your personal information to:

  • Third-Party Service Providers: Such as payment processors, email campaign providers, mailing houses for direct mail, and IT support services. These parties are restricted from using your personal information for any purpose other than that for which they are providing services to ACB.
  • Regulatory Bodies: Including the ACNC, ATO, or other government authorities where required by law.
  • Overseas Disclosure: We use personal information to support projects in Burundi. In limited circumstances, personal information (e.g., donor names for acknowledgment of a specific project) may be disclosed to our trusted partners in Burundi who are directly involved in project delivery. We take reasonable steps to ensure that the overseas recipients handle the information in accordance with Australian privacy standards.

Direct Marketing: We may use your personal information to send you updates, fundraising appeals, and newsletters. You may opt out of receiving these communications at any time by following the ‘unsubscribe’ link in our emails or by contacting our Privacy Officer (see Section 7).

5. Security and Data Quality

Security: ACB takes reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold from misuse, interference, loss, and from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These measures include:

  • Secure firewalls and password protection for electronic information.
  • Physical security measures for hardcopy records.
  • Staff and volunteer training on privacy obligations and data handling procedures.
  • Destruction/De-identification: We take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information when it is no longer required for the purpose for which it was collected or to comply with legal retention periods.

Data Quality: We rely on the accuracy of the information you provide. We take reasonable steps to ensure the personal information we collect is accurate, up-to-date, and complete.

6. Website Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses ‘cookies’ and third-party tools like Google Analytics to track visitor use of the site and compile statistical reports on website activity.

  • Cookies are small text files placed on your computer to help the website analyse how users use the site. They are non-personally identifiable.
  • This information helps us to improve the functionality and content of our website.
  • You can set your browser to refuse cookies, but this may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

7. Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

You have the right to request access to the personal information ACB holds about you and to request that we correct any information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or out-of-date.

To request access to your personal information or to make a correction, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 30 days. Please note that while we may charge a small administrative fee for granting access to your information, there is no charge for making a correction request.

8. Privacy Complaints and Contact Details

If you have a question about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct your information, or have a complaint about how ACB has handled your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details below:

The Privacy Officer
Australian Charity for Burundi (ACB)
Email: privacy@acb.org.au
Mail: 329/98-100 Elisabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint as soon as practicable and aim to resolve the issue within 30 days.

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

  • Online: oaic.gov.au
  • Phone: 1300 363 992