Credit Reporting Policy

Home Credit Reporting Policy

1. Purpose

Austral Contractors Group Pty Ltd (“Austral”,“we”,“our”or“us”)is committed to protecting personal information and handling credit related information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles, the Privacy (Credit Reporting) Code and other applicable laws.

This Credit Reporting Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store and manage credit related information when assessing, providing or managing commercial credit arrangements.

This policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we manage personal information generally.

2. Credit Related Information We Collect

Where Austral provides goods or services on credit, establishes a trading account, or otherwise allows payment terms, we may collect information relevant to assessing and managing credit risk.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

Personal identification details.
Contact information.
Employment and business details.
Financial information.
Trading history and payment records.
Information relating to credit applications.
Credit reports and credit scores.
Information obtained from credit reporting bodies.
Information obtained from other credit providers.
Publicly available information relevant to assessing creditworthiness.

We may also collect information permitted under the Privacy Act relating to your credit history and credit eligibility.

3. How We Collect Credit Information

Credit related information may be collected:

Directly from you when you complete a credit application or account application.

Through communications with us by telephone, email, online forms or correspondence.
From directors, guarantors, accountants, financial advisers or authorised representatives.
From credit reporting bodies.
From trade references and other credit providers.
From publicly available sources where permitted by law.

4. Why We Collect and Use Credit Information

Austral collects and uses credit-related information to:

Assess applications for commercial credit.
Verify identity and business details.
Determine credit limits and trading terms.
Manage customer accounts.
Monitor payment performance.
Recover outstanding debts.
Manage financial and credit risk.
Comply with legal and regulatory obligations.
Protect our legitimate business interests.

5. Disclosure of Credit Information

We may disclose credit-related information to:

Credit reporting bodies.
Debt collection agencies.
Solicitors and professional advisers.
Trade credit insurers.
Financial institutions.
Related entities.
External dispute resolution providers.
Government agencies and regulators where required by law.
Other parties authorised by law or with your consent.

We will only disclose credit-related information where permitted by applicable privacy legislation.

6. Overseas Disclosure

Austral generally stores information within Australia. However, some service providers, software platforms or credit reporting bodies we use may process or store information outside Australia.

Where overseas disclosure occurs, we will take reasonable steps to ensure information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.

7. Access to Information

You may request access to credit-related information that we hold about you.

Requests should be made in writing. We will respond within a reasonable period and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

In certain circumstances, access may be refused where permitted by law. If access is refused, we will provide written reasons unless we are legally prevented from doing so.

8. Correction of Information

If you believe information we hold is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date, misleading or irrelevant, you may request a correction.

We will investigate the request and, where appropriate, update our records within the timeframes required by law.

If we disagree with the requested correction, we will explain our reasons and advise you of available complaint avenues.

9. Complaints

If you have concerns about how Austral has handled your credit-related information, please contact us. We will acknowledge your complaint and investigate the matter promptly. We aim to provide a written response within 30 days unless a longer period is reasonably required.

If you are dissatisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) or another recognised external dispute resolution body where applicable.

10. Contact Details

Privacy Officer

Austral Contractors Group Pty Ltd

Email: accounts@australcontractors.com.au

Phone: 0437 500 900

Postal Address: Unit 6, 7 Buontempo Road, Carrum Downs VIC 3201

Notice of Credit Reporting Matters

Under Australian privacy and credit reporting laws, Austral advises that:

Credit Reporting Bodies

If you apply for commercial credit, we may obtain information about you from credit reporting bodies and may disclose information about your account and payment history to those bodies where permitted by law.

Use of Credit Information

Credit reporting bodies may include information supplied by Austral in reports provided to other credit providers and authorised parties for the purpose of assessing credit applications and managing credit risk.

Serious Credit Infringements

Where permitted by law, Austral may report serious credit infringements to a credit reporting body.

Access and Correction Rights

You have the right to:

Request access to credit-related information held by Austral.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Make a complaint regarding our handling of your information.

Direct Marketing Opt-Out

You may request that a credit reporting body not use your information for pre-screening direct marketing activities.

Fraud Protection

You may request that a credit reporting body place restrictions on the use or disclosure of your information if you reasonably believe you are, or may become, a victim of fraud.

Further Information

Additional information regarding credit reporting practices can be obtained from the relevant credit reporting bodies, including: