Privacy Policy

Compare My Build (ABN 29 071 511 793) ("we", "us", "our") operates the website at https://comparemybuild.com.au and the Trade Connect directory and advertising service available through that website.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, hold, use and disclose personal information in connection with our website, Trade Connect, and any related services, products, or communications.

We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) ("Privacy Act") and the Australian Privacy Principles ("APPs") contained in Schedule 1 of that Act. This Policy is published in accordance with APP 1.

By using our website or Trade Connect, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not use our website or services.

Trade Connect is a subscription-based online directory and advertising platform that allows builders, tradespeople, and construction-related businesses ("Business Users") to create public-facing profiles and access enquiries from homeowners and property owners ("End Users"). Business Users may subscribe to paid advertising and directory listing plans through Trade Connect.

We collect personal information from both Business Users and End Users in connection with the services described in this Policy.

The type of personal information we collect depends on how you interact with us.

We will only collect sensitive information with your consent, or where otherwise permitted by law.

Where it is lawful and practicable to do so, you may interact with us anonymously or using a pseudonym. However, if you choose not to provide personal information we request, we may not be able to provide you with some or all of our services.

We collect personal information:

• Directly from you, when you complete website forms, submit a business listing, register a Trade Connect account, make an enquiry, contact us by email or phone, sign up for a newsletter, or purchase a subscription
• Automatically, through cookies, analytics tools, and tracking technologies when you use our website (see Sections 9 and 12)
• From third parties, such as payment processors, analytics providers, and advertising platforms (see Section 9)
• From publicly available sources, including ASIC and the Australian Business Register, where we seek to verify business information you have provided

If we collect your personal information for a purpose other than those listed above, we will notify you at the time of collection or seek your consent where required.

We collect personal information for the following primary purposes:

• To provide, operate, and improve Trade Connect and our website
• To create and display public business profiles on behalf of Business Users
• To process subscription and advertising applications and payments
• To connect Business Users with End Users through enquiry and lead generation features
• To communicate with you about your account, subscription, or enquiry
• To send you marketing communications where you have consented or where permitted under the Spam Act 2003 (Cth)
• To administer newsletters and email updates
• To verify the identity and credentials of Business Users
• To comply with our legal obligations
• To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud or other unlawful activity
• To analyse and improve website performance and user experience

We use personal information in ways consistent with the primary purpose of collection and any secondary purposes you would reasonably expect, or where you have consented.

Business profile creation and display: Business User information — including business name, contact details, service areas, ABN, licence numbers, profile descriptions, logos, and images — may be publicly displayed on comparemybuild.com.au as part of a Trade Connect directory listing. By submitting this information, you consent to it being published on our website and used for directory and promotional purposes.

Marketing and promotion: We may use your business name, logo, and profile information to promote Trade Connect through our website, social media channels, and email marketing.

Enquiry routing: End User enquiry details are shared with relevant Business Users for the purpose of responding to those enquiries.

Subscription management: We use billing and account information to manage your subscription, process renewals, and send invoices and receipts.

Communications: We may contact you about service updates, changes to our terms or policies, or important account information.

Direct marketing: Where you have opted in, or where we are otherwise permitted under applicable law, we may send you promotional emails, newsletters, or other marketing materials. You may unsubscribe at any time (see Section 11).

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

We may disclose personal information to:

• Other users of Trade Connect: Business User profile information is publicly displayed on our website and accessible to End Users and the general public (see Section 6).
• Third-party service providers: We use trusted third parties to operate our business (see Section 9). These providers are engaged on terms that require them to handle personal information in a manner consistent with the Privacy Act.
• Professional advisers: Including lawyers, accountants, and insurers, on a confidential basis.
• Law enforcement and regulators: Where we are required or authorised to do so by law, or where disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of our users, the public, or ourselves.
• Successors in business: In connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or similar transaction, personal information may be transferred to a successor entity.

Some of our third-party service providers are located outside Australia, including in the United States. As a result, personal information we hold may be disclosed to, accessed, or processed by entities located outside Australia.

Before disclosing personal information to an overseas recipient, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient does not breach the APPs in relation to that information, in accordance with APP 8. We rely on contractual data processing arrangements and, where applicable, certification frameworks to provide that protection.

You may contact us using the details in Section 17 to request information about the specific safeguards we have in place for overseas disclosures.

By using our website or services, you acknowledge that your personal information may be transferred to and processed in the United States or other countries whose privacy laws may differ from those in Australia.

We use the following third-party providers in connection with our services. These providers may collect, access, or process personal information on our behalf:

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational measures to protect personal information we hold from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, in accordance with APP 11.

Our security measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS technology
• Restricted access to personal information based on role and need
• Use of reputable, security-certified third-party providers, including Stripe for payment processing
• Regular review of our information handling and data security practices
• Access controls and authentication procedures for internal systems

No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. While we take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security against all threats. If you believe your personal information may have been compromised, please contact us immediately using the details in Section 17.

In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm to affected individuals, we will comply with our obligations under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme in Part IIIC of the Privacy Act, including notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as required.

We may send you marketing communications about Trade Connect, directory services, promotions, and related content where you have opted in to receive such communications, or you are an existing customer and we are marketing similar services, in accordance with the Spam Act 2003 (Cth).

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by:

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email we send; or
• Contacting us at hello@comparemybuild.com.au with your request.

We will process your unsubscribe request within a reasonable time. Even if you unsubscribe from marketing communications, we may still send you transactional or service-related communications necessary to administer your account or subscription.

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, and for such additional periods as are required or permitted by law.

Our general retention periods are as follows:

• Account and subscription information: Retained for the duration of your subscription and for seven (7) years after the end of your subscription.
• Business profile information: Retained for as long as your Trade Connect listing is active.
• Enquiry and contact form data: Retained for up to two (2) years from the date of the enquiry.
• Marketing subscription records: Retained until you unsubscribe, and thereafter as required by law.
• Analytics and technical data: Retained in accordance with the data retention settings of the relevant third-party provider.

When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it in accordance with APP 11.

Under APP 12, you have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. Under APP 13, you have the right to request that we correct personal information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading.

To make an access or correction request: Email us at hello@comparemybuild.com.au with the subject line "Privacy Access Request" or "Privacy Correction Request". Include sufficient information for us to identify you and the information you are seeking. We will respond within 30 days.

We will not charge a fee for making a request, but in some circumstances we may charge a reasonable fee to cover our costs of providing access.

Our website and services are intended for users aged 18 years and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 18, please contact us at hello@comparemybuild.com.au and we will take prompt steps to delete that information from our records.

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information. This Policy applies only to information collected by us through our website and services.

If you have a concern or complaint about how we have handled your personal information, we encourage you to contact us in the first instance so we can work to resolve the matter directly.

Contact our Privacy Officer: Compare My Build, ABN 29 071 511 793, 88 Peary Street, Northgate QLD 4013, Australia. Email: hello@comparemybuild.com.au

How to submit a complaint: Please email us at hello@comparemybuild.com.au with the subject line "Privacy Complaint". We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days of receipt and endeavour to respond within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001, Phone: 1300 363 992, Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we update this Policy, we will revise the "Last updated" date at the top of the page. Where changes are material, we will notify you by email or by a prominent notice on our website.

We encourage you to review this Policy periodically. Your continued use of our website or services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:

Compare My Build ABN 29 071 511 793 88 Peary Street Northgate QLD 4013 Australia Email: hello@comparemybuild.com.au Website: https://comparemybuild.com.au