Sydney Language Centre Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to Sydney Language Centre. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our online platform and related services. We are committed to complying with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for individuals in the European Union, and other relevant Australian privacy legislation.
Information We Collect
When you interact with our site or services, we may collect various types of information. This includes information you provide directly to us, such as your name, contact details (like postal address), date of birth, educational background, nationality, and payment information, when you register for a course, make an enquiry, or participate in activities. We may also collect information about your use of our site and services, such as your interaction with content and services, IP address, browser type, and device information. If you participate in online classes or activities, we may collect information related to your participation.
How We Collect Information
We collect information when you provide it to us directly, for example, by filling out forms on our site, contacting us, or enrolling in a course. We also collect information automatically as you navigate through our site, using technologies such as cookies and similar tracking technologies. Information may also be collected from third parties, such as educational agents or partners, with your consent or as otherwise permitted by law.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for various purposes related to providing our educational services and operating our business. This includes:
- Processing your enrolment and managing your student account.
- Delivering language courses and related services, such as managing classes, providing learning materials, and assessing your progress.
- Communicating with you about your studies, services, and updates.
- Processing payments for courses and fees.
- Providing customer support and responding to your enquiries.
- Improving our courses, services, and our online platform.
- For internal administrative and business purposes, such as data analysis, audits, and research.
- To comply with legal obligations and regulations.
- To send you information about other services or events we offer that may be of interest to you, where we have a lawful basis to do so.
Legal Basis for Processing (for GDPR compliance)
Our legal basis for collecting and using the personal information described above will depend on the information concerned and the specific context in which we collect it. However, we will normally collect personal information from you where:
- We need the personal information to perform a contract with you (e.g., to provide you with language courses you have enrolled in).
- The processing is in our legitimate interests and not overridden by your data protection interests or fundamental rights and freedoms (e.g., improving our services, preventing fraud).
- We have your consent to do so (e.g., for sending certain marketing communications).
- We need to process your personal information to comply with a legal obligation.
If we ask you to provide personal information to comply with a legal requirement or to perform a contract with you, we will make this clear at the relevant time and advise you whether the provision of your personal information is mandatory or not (and the possible consequences if you do not provide it).
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. To determine the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the personal data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorised use or disclosure of your personal data, the purposes for which we process your personal data and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal requirements.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect the security of your personal information, both online and offline, from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure.
Disclosure of Your Information
We may share your personal information with trusted third parties who provide services on our behalf, such as payment processors, IT service providers, and educational agents, strictly for the purposes outlined in this policy and in compliance with confidentiality obligations. We may also disclose information if required by law, regulation, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Sydney Language Centre, our students, or others. We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
Your Data Protection Rights (including GDPR Rights)
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. For individuals in the EU, these rights include the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object to processing, and data portability of your personal information. You also have the right to withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent as the legal basis for processing. You have the right to complain to a data protection authority about our collection and use of your personal information.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our site uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyse site usage, and support the functionality of our services. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Third-Party Links
Our online platform may contain links to websites operated by third parties. This privacy policy does not apply to those third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Children's Privacy
Our services are intended for individuals aged 18 and over, or as permitted by law in relation to specific educational programs. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate parental or guardian consent where required.
International Data Transfers
Your information may be stored and processed in any country where we have facilities or in which we engage service providers. By using our site and services, you consent to the transfer of information to countries outside of your country of residence, which may have different data protection rules than those in your country. We will take steps to ensure that any such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this privacy policy or our data practices, you can contact us in writing at:
Sydney Language Centre
255 George Street
Level 5
Sydney, New South Wales
2000
Australia
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post any updates on this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.