PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: 30 March 2026
Introduction
The Victorian Astrologer's Association (VAA) ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to providing quality services to you, and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information. Our commitment is to be transparent about the data we collect about you, how it is used, and the rights you have to control it.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). Furthermore, for users located in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom (UK), we comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.
1. What is Personal Information and Why Do We Collect It?
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.
We obtain this Personal Information in many ways, including via our website (www.vicastrology.net), correspondence, email, purchases of digital products, and from third parties.
Lawful Basis for Processing (GDPR)
We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, processing transactions, and marketing. Under the GDPR, our lawful bases for processing your data include:
Consent: Where you have given explicit consent (e.g., subscribing to a newsletter).
Contract: Where processing is necessary for the performance of a contract (e.g., delivering a digital product you purchased).
Legitimate Interests: For our legitimate business interests, such as improving our website and services.
You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing or clicking the "unsubscribe" link in our emails.
2. Digital Products and Financial Transactions
When you purchase digital products, memberships, or event tickets through our website, we collect information necessary to fulfill your order.
Payment Data: We do not directly store your credit card details. Payments are processed securely through third-party payment gateways (e.g., [Insert PayPal/Stripe/etc.]). We only retain transaction records for accounting and tax purposes.
Product Delivery: We use your email address to deliver digital downloads, membership access details, and purchase receipts.
3. Cookies, Google Analytics, and Tracking
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience and analyze website traffic.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors engage with our website. Google Analytics collects information such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on the site.
This data is anonymized and aggregated.
Google may transfer this information to third parties where required by law.
Opting Out: You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by adjusting your browser’s cookie settings.
4. Sensitive Information
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, criminal record, or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
For the primary purpose for which it was obtained.
For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose.
With your consent, or where required or authorized by law.
5. Third Parties and International Data Transfers
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances, we may be provided with information by third parties.
Because we operate in Australia, data collected from users in the EU/UK will be transferred outside the European Economic Area. We ensure that such transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards, including standard contractual clauses or equivalent legal mechanisms, to ensure your data remains secure.
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances, including:
Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure (e.g., email marketing platforms, payment processors).
Where required or authorized by law.
6. Security and Retention of Personal Information
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse, loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. We use secure servers, SSL encryption, and restricted access protocols.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it. However, most Personal Information stored in client or transaction files will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years to comply with Australian tax and business laws.
7. Your Data Privacy Rights
We believe you should have full control over your data. Depending on your location (including under the GDPR), you have the following rights regarding your Personal Information:
| Your Right | What it means |
|---|---|
| Access | You may request a copy of the Personal Information we hold about you. |
| Correction | You can ask us to update or correct inaccurate or incomplete data. |
| Erasure (Right to be Forgotten) | You can request that we delete your data, subject to legal retention requirements. |
| Data Portability | You can request your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. |
| Withdraw Consent | You can withdraw your consent for marketing or data processing at any time. |
How to exercise these rights: Please contact us in writing. The VAA will not charge any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information. In order to protect your data, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
8. Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information
It is important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and continue to provide quality services to you.
9. Policy Updates
This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any updates.
10. Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries
If you have any queries, complaints, or wish to exercise your data rights regarding our Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Victorian Astrologer's Association (VAA)
Address: PO Box 782, South Yarra VIC 3141
Email:website@vicastrology.net
(If you are an EU resident and feel your data rights have been violated, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority).